Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Driving a motorcycle is a fairly high-risk proposition. If you ride a motorcycle, you are twenty-eight times more likely to be fatally injured in a crash than when driving a car. In the United States alone, there are nearly 100,000 motorcycle accidents per year, commanding a price tag of more than 16 billion in medical care costs, loss of wages, physical rehabilitation, insurance claims, and legal fees. Bottom line, you are at a greater risk of injury if you ride a motorcycle, but that does not mean you are not entitled to injury compensation if you ride responsibly.

There are critically important steps to follow should you be involved in a motorcycle accident, especially if you are injured in the crash. Here’s what to do:

Call 911

Don’t wait, dial 911 and start the call if you are physically able to do so. If you can’t, ask someone else at the scene to call for you as soon as possible. Inform the 911 operator that you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident.

Seek Medical Attention

Do not attempt to “walk it off”, and never refuse medical treatment at the scene of your accident. Wrecks involving motorcycles carry an increased risk of injury, and you need to be evaluated by a medical professional immediately. Additionally, shock and adrenaline often mask symptoms of potentially life-threatening injuries. If the medics want to take you to the hospital, don’t argue with them and go.

If you aren’t taken to the hospital, see a doctor as soon as you are able for a complete examination. Remember to tell them you were hit by a car while riding your motorcycle, as well as the time and date of the accident. Any delay in seeking medical care can have a significant medical impact on your insurance claim and/or injury case.

Collect Evidence At The Scene

Provided your injuries do not prevent you from doing so, get as much information and evidence at the scene of the accident as you can. The following are the most critical pieces of information:

• At-fault driver’s name, address, home, and work phone numbers.
• At-fault driver’s insurance information.
• Vehicle information including make, model, year, plate number and VIN.

You should also get pictures of the scene and involved vehicles as soon as you can. Use your smartphone to snap pics of any and all damaged vehicles, surfaces, scattered parts, broken glass and paint flecks. You will need those pictures for your insurance adjuster and your attorney. If there are any other witnesses present, get their names and contact information in case you need it later.

Call Your Insurance Company

Let your insurance carrier know you have been involved in an accident and write down your claim number. Don’t be surprised if your claims adjuster tries to rush you to a quick settlement for the lowest amount possible. If you are injured and receiving treatment, you do not have to speak to the adjuster regarding a settlement until after you have recovered. Do not sign or say anything to the adjuster until after you have received medical care. You should not speak with them if you are upset, angry, medicated or injured.

Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident? Not sure you are getting the compensation you deserve? Call the Law Office of Remond Artie today, and let our team help you get appropriate compensation for your personal injury case. Make sure you get the maximum settlement you deserve. Contact us or visit our website today to set up a consultation for more information.