What You Should Do After a Bike Accident
Nearly 80,000 people are injured in motorcycle accidents every year—and when you're the victim of one of these accidents, the effects and consequences of even a minor accident can be significant.
While any victim of an accident is likely to be dealing with physical, mental, and emotional struggles, it's also important to stay focused on the first steps that need to be taken in the immediate aftermath of a crash.
Too many motorcyclists avoid planning out their responses in these scenarios because an accident is never any fun to think about. But a little foresight and planning can make it easier to take important action to address your situation and improve your long-term recovery—especially where your finances are concerned.
The Risks of Suffering a Bike Accident Today
Not even the best motorcyclists can fully protect themselves from being involved in an accident. The majority of bike accidents every year involve collisions with another moving vehicle—in many cases, a vehicle that did not properly see or give space to the motorcyclist.
Even a low-speed accident can be potentially life-threatening. And if you're fortunate enough to survive your crash, the damage inflicted by this accident can take several forms, including:
- Personal injury. From scrapes and cuts to concussions and broken bones, motorcycle accidents can inflict severe injury onto a riders' body.
- Legal liability. The risks of being found at-fault for the accident are even greater if you don't have an attorney defending your side.
- Unexpected bills. Medical bills and motorcycle repairs are just some of the costs you may be on the hook to pay.
- Loss of income. If your injury sidelines you from work, you could suffer a temporary or permanent income loss that further strains your finances.
- Lasting trauma. The experience of a bike accident can lead to PTSD and other mental health issues, some of which may linger for months or even years.
After a Bike Accident: Important First Steps
When a bike accident occurs, a swift response can help connect you and others more quickly to emergency medical assistance. It can also help you coordinate your early response to the accident, including even your conversations with police and insurance.
When an accident occurs, take the following steps:
- Contact emergency services. Call 911 to get an ambulance or other medical responders on location as quickly as possible.
- Provide emergency first aid to other injured parties. If you are capable of aiding other injured riders with compresses, CPR, or other emergencies first aid, prioritize their health while waiting for emergency services.
- Trade information with other parties involved in the accident. If the situation is stable from a medical perspective, get the contact information of other drivers and passengers involved in the accident.
- Contact a motorcycle accident attorney. The sooner you contact a bike accident attorney, the better off you will be in avoiding simple mistakes that might complicate your future efforts to obtain a settlement.
Why You Need a Bike Accident Attorney
A bike accident attorney can be a valued resource even in the moments shortly after the accident has occurred. Anyone involved in an accident should seek out an attorney immediately to receive legal counsel before you unknowingly give statements and make other mistakes that you may later regret.
An attorney offers the following benefits to individuals involved in a bike accident:
- Counsel to avoid admitting fault. Even well-intentioned actions such as apologizing to other parties can be construed as an admission of guilt, which could increase your risk of liability.
- Guidance in speaking with police. An attorney can advise you on what to say, and what not to say when giving your account to the police.
- The direction in gathering evidence. From contact information to photos of the accident, an attorney will tell you what information may be important in making a case for compensation down the road.
- Advocacy for your suffering and losses in all of their forms. Many people involved in an accident aren't immediately aware of all the ways the accident has created losses for them. An attorney will help you identify these losses and attempt to quantify them for the purposes of seeking a settlement.
How to Find a Trusted Bike Accident Lawyer
If you've been injured in a bike accident for the first time, you might have no idea where to turn to find a motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you with your case.
While friends and family can be a great resource in receiving a word-of-mouth recommendation for a bike accident lawyer in your area, even taking the time to seek out this referral can take longer than you might prefer when still stranded at the scene of an accident. One easy solution is to seek out contact info for a bike accident lawyer ahead of time and to keep that information on a card in your bike jacket or storage to pull out as a reference when you need someone to call.
This is why we offer a Rider's Advantage Card that lists our contact information and other important resources you may need in the event of an accident. By keeping this card on your person when you ride, you can drive with the peace of mind that if something does happen, you have a trusted point of contact to seek out fast legal advice.
