What to do after a motorcycle accident

With summer well under way, we know many riders are taking advantage of the weather by riding their motorcycles daily. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a daily rider, safety is always the number one concern.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, here are a few steps we recommend taking:

1. Dial 911 immediately. This seems obvious, but the circumstances of the situation can cloud your decision-making if you’re not careful.
2. If no one is severely injured or requires immediate medical attention, do your best to get all contact and insurance information from all passengers, motorists, or pedestrians involved. Be sure to write down the make, model, and license plate numbers of all vehicles involved as well.
3. Use a camera or camera phone to take pictures and videos of the scene. This is the best way to get accurate documentation and fresh witness accounts, and more importantly, to have your side of the story backed up in court.
4. Do not leave the scene of the accident until the police arrive. Criminal charges could result from leaving the scene. In addition, fault and liability have not been determined yet.
5. If you are contacted by an adjuster from the other side’s insurance company, it’s important not to grant them an interview because insurance adjusters are trained to trip you up. They want to get something they can use against you so that the insurance company is obligated to pay out the least amount of damages on the claim.
6. Don’t rush to make repairs on the motorcycle until the damage has been documented, as you may be entitled to compensation for these damages.
7. Keep a record of all the expenses that have been incurred due to the accident, including repairs, doctor visits, and rental charges for another vehicle that you have to use because your motorcycle is being repaired. In addition, record any time that you have missed from work because of the accident.
8. As soon as you can, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.

Overall, safety should be your primary concern. As summer continues, enjoy the open road on your motorcycle, but keep in mind what to do if you ever are involved in an accident.