If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast and love to hit the open road every chance you get, the last thing you want to think about is being involved in an accident. However, this type of incident can sometimes be unavoidable.
What’s important is you know how to respond after an accident. You will need to avoid aggravating any injury, avoid suffering from legal issues, and avoid ending up with a lot more unnecessary trouble – long after the accident.
To prevent that from happening, here are five key steps to take following a motorcycle accident.
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1. Get to a safe spot right away
First of all, if you are able to do so, it’s essential you leave behind your motorcycle and get to a safe spot right away. The inclination might be to check on the condition of your bike and move it, but this is a terrible idea for numerous reasons.
If you remain in the crash location for instance, you could be in prime position for another collision. Trying to move your bike can also aggravate injuries, while shifting your vehicle might compromise evidence – more on that later.
2. Call emergency services
Once you are in a safe position to do so, it’s time to contact emergency services as soon as possible. If your phone didn’t survive the crash, ask anyone that may be around to do this on your behalf.
The latter can even be a suitable option if you’re not in the right frame of mind to make the call. It’s not uncommon to freeze during an emergency situation, so trying to phone emergency services on your own could be unwise.
3. Gather evidence
Emergency services are on the way. Now it’s time to gather evidence that paints the picture about what happened. Videos and photos are a given in this situation. It’s not just about capturing your motorcycle or the vehicle you collided with, either. You should also highlight notable roadway features such as road signs, sun position, and roadway skid marks.
The more evidence you have about the accident, the better your chances are of a favorable insurance or legal situation.
4. Cooperate with the law
The police will be in touch about the accident. Whether it’s at the accident scene or somewhere else, they will typically require a statement from you. Although it’s important to cooperate with them, you also don’t want to be too careless in discussing the incident and admitting fault. Ensure you have fully processed the event and consulted with your insurance company/legal representation.
5. Legal support
While not always necessary, you might require assistance from motorcycle accident lawyers. This is particularly the case if you’ve suffered a serious injury and you are having issues with your insurance provider.
Specialist lawyers will be able to work in your best interests to secure the best possible result for your cause. They can be the difference between numerous, drawn-out problems and getting the right compensation from your insurance provider.
