Motorcycle accidents can be particularly devastating. While riding a motorcycle may allow for a feeling of freedom not enjoyed by those in cars, trucks, and other vehicles, they also leave riders particularly vulnerable in the event of an accident. While cars and trucks provide a structured enclosure with air bags for vehicle occupants, motorcycles lack these basic protections.
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you are likely to be injured and disoriented. Knowing what to do if you find yourself in this situation can be important to not only maintain your health and safety but also to protect any legal rights you may have to seek full and fair compensation for the injuries and other losses sustained in the crash. Here, we will go over what you should do if you are in a motorcycle accident.
What Do I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
The first step after a motorcycle accident should always be working to keep yourself safe. Depending on where the accident occurred, you may be exposed to further risk of harm. Try, if you are able to, to get yourself to a safe location out of harm’s way. The last thing you need is to be involved in another accident right after you have just been in one. Once to safety, keep any protective gear on. While it may be uncomfortable, removing safety gear may make any injuries you sustained worse. Wait for medical assistance instead.
Once you have situated yourself in a safe location, call 911. The police and an ambulance should arrive on the scene. The presence of the police means that an official accident report will be generated and this can be important supporting evidence for any personal injury action you may choose to seek later.
Medical care should be a priority after being involved in an accident, motorcycle accidents definitely included. Even if you may not feel that bad or just a bit sore, go seek immediate medical evaluation and attention. The full weight of an injury may not present itself for hours or even days after an accident. Immediate medical attention can help prevent the exacerbation of injuries or having injuries go undiagnosed, both of which can have dire consequences for your health and recovery.
After seeking emergency medical care, be sure to comply with doctor recommendations for follow-up care. The extent and nature of the recommended follow-up care will largely rest on your injuries and the severity of your injuries. Complying with doctor recommendations for follow-up medical care will not only play a crucial role in your physical recovery, but medical records will also play a central role in supporting any personal injury claim you seek later on.
You should also notify your insurance company of the accident. You are under a contractual obligation to do so, but keep your answers concise and avoid speculation, especially when it comes to the extent of your injuries or any contributing role you may have played in causing the accident
Contact Our Expert Los Angeles Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today!
The personal injury team at Compass Law Group is committed to serving the injured. We stand up to the big insurance companies to help ensure our clients are properly compensated for the harm they have suffered. Contact us today.
