What to Do If You’re Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

The following is a guest post by Colorado accident attorney Daniel R. Rosen.

There’s nothing quite like the freedom you experience when riding a motorcycle. Feeling the wind in your face and experiencing the open road with little between you and the elements is thrilling indeed. However, that freedom can be taken away in a matter of moments if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident.

It’s important to know that your risk of being involved in a motorcycle accident is greatly reduced if you wear safety gear and take defensive driving lessons. With motorcycle accidents on the rise, however, no matter what precautions you take to operate your motorcycle safely, there’s no way to eliminate entirely the risk of being injured or killed by other motorists on the road.

Stay at the Scene

If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident — or any motor vehicle accident — it’s important to remain at the scene. Leaving an accident scene can result in a charge of “hit and run” or “leaving the scene of an accident,” which can further complicate an already stressful situation. Also, if you leave the scene of the accident, you’re allowing the account of the other driver involved to be the basis for the police report. That means the other driver may place 100 percent of the blame on you.

Check for Injuries and File a Police Report

It’s also important to check for injuries and call the police. It’s essential to file a police report immediately following an auto accident so that there is official documentation of what happened. Be sure to seek medical attention even if you are only feeling minimal symptoms.

Remember, after an accident you may be in a state of shock, which will interfere with your ability to accurately assess the pain that you’re feeling or the injuries you’ve sustained. Not seeking immediate medical attention may affect your ability to receive fair compensation for your injuries. Even if your injuries are not apparent at the time of the accident, be sure to have your condition checked by a medical doctor as soon as possible after the accident.

Record the Other Driver’s Information

Make sure to collect information from the other motorist(s) involved in the accident. You will want to exchange driver’s licenses and vehicle registration papers with the other driver(s) and write down the following information: name, address, date of birth, telephone number, driver’s license number and expiration date, insurance company and contact information, written description of the other vehicle (the make, model, year, license plate number and expiration date, and vehicle identification number).

Preserve Evidence

Another important thing to do is preserve evidence of the motorcycle accident. After experiencing a traumatic event, the last thing on your mind is taking pictures of the scene and recording detailed notes about the accident. While you may be in a state of shock and want nothing more than to get home, it’s imperative that you take measures to preserve evidence at the scene of the accident. These details are necessary if you hope to take legal action.

Take Pictures

The first thing you’ll have to do in order to create a record of the motorcycle accident is to take photographs. You’ll want to document the accident scene and damages to the vehicles and people to create a pictorial record of the scene. If you’re able, take pictures from near and far, and from different angles. Be sure to take pictures of the road conditions and any other factors that may have contributed to the accident. Take pictures of skid marks, road debris, and anything else that may help an expert recreate the scene if necessary to successfully pursue your accident claim.

Document Injuries

If you or anyone in your party has sustained injuries from the accident, it is necessary to photograph the extent of the injuries. Not only do you want to take photographs of the injury as soon as possible after the accident, but you also want to document the healing process with photos, copies of medical records, and evidence of lost wages due to the injury. In addition to gathering this documentation be sure to keep a daily journal log to record the pain that you are experiencing after an accident. Keep track of any additional expenses or losses incurred from your injury, such as medical prescriptions, bills, and how the injury has affected your life.

All this is a lot to remember right after an accident, but taking these steps will help you immensely if you want to pursue legal action and receive just compensation.

As is often the case in motorcycle accidents, if you’re injured severely, you won’t be able to take these steps by yourself. It’s vital to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident, so he or she can investigate the accident and put together a strong case for your claim. Be sure to contact a lawyer who has experience handling motorcycle accident cases. Many factors can contribute to your damages and injuries, and an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Daniel R. Rosen is a personal injury lawyer in Colorado. He has been riding motorcycles and handling motorcycle and other accident cases for over 25 years. You can find out more at http://www.danielrrosen.com.

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