Many motorcycle enthusiasts love riding because of the freedom and the immersive experience they get every time they head out on their two-wheeled vehicles. Unfortunately, that freedom can also come with a cost, as motorcyclists are at a much higher risk for serious injury in most collisions. What’s more, accidents with motorcycles are often caused by negligent car drivers who fail to see and yield to the motorcycle, due to their small size.
Sharing the road with vehicles of all sizes is something that we must all strive to do responsibly. However, in the unfortunate occurrence that you or your loved one’s motorcycle is involved in a road accident, it’s important to be prepared. How you handle this extremely stressful situation can make a big difference in your recovery, both physically and financially.
At Kiley Law Group, our motorcycle accident attorneys fight for the compensation that riders need to get back on their feet. With a 40-year-long history of helping motorcycle accident victims in Massachusetts, we are here for our clients and we want to help you get through this difficult time.
We know you have many choices when it comes to personal injury lawyers, so we hope that you will consider Kiley Law Group. Over our decades of experience, we have won over $500 million for our clients. Give us a call today at (888) 435-1321 for a risk-free initial consultation.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
In the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle crash, it can be challenging to keep a level head and take the right actions. Even the most cautious motorcycle rider can be involved in a collision, so it’s important that all motorcyclists are aware of the best course of action in the event of an accident.
What you do in the moments, hours, and days following your collision can make a big difference in the eventual outcome. See the following steps for an idea of what you should try to do, if you are physically and mentally able, after a collision.
Step one: Stay calm and call the authorities
In the first few minutes after a motorcycle collision, you are likely going to experience a flood of adrenaline and begin to go into shock. It’s important to keep a clear head and focus on the most important thing – your safety. Make sure that you are out of the way of any moving vehicles or are clear from any possible fires or flammable liquids. Staying calm and assessing your surroundings is the first vital step to take.
Remaining calm will help in the second part of step one – following the law. Do not leave the scene of the accident, and it’s good to leave your motorcycle in the exact position and state that it was in immediately following the collision.
Then, don’t hesitate – call 911. Even if you don’t think the injuries or damage are severe enough to warrant calling the police, it’s better to call and let the operator determine the necessity for ambulance and police attendance.
After the police arrive, be sure to give your statement truthfully and accurately. Keep a record of the police report, as it’s the first official record of your collision. Get the name and badge numbers of the officers you meet and ask for your accident report number.
Step two: Accept medical assessment and/or treatment
If an ambulance arrives on the scene, you should submit to an examination by the paramedics. Don’t downplay any pain or symptoms you may have, as the adrenaline could be masking them, later proving them to be more serious than you thought. Even if an ambulance isn’t dispatched, you should go straight to the doctor’s office after your accident to keep a record of any physical injuries and link them to your recent collision.
If you had a passenger on your motorcycle at the time of the collision, or if another party suffered more serious injuries than you, you can help that person by trying to keep them still, calm, and comfortable until the medical professionals arrive. Motorcycle accidents can be deadly, so making sure that any medical problems are treated as soon as possible is a wise course of action. This can also help you in a personal injury lawsuit or claim later on.
Step three: Collect evidence from the scene
After staying calm, getting medical treatment, and calling the authorities, it’s a good idea to take pictures of the scene as soon as you are able to move around without pain. Using the camera on your smartphone you can document the scene of the accident, damage to your motorcycle and the other vehicle(s) involved, and even the people who witnessed the collision. Try to capture important details such as skid marks, road conditions, weather conditions, street signs, and other vehicles’ license plates.
Next, focus on making sure you get the information you need from the other driver or drivers involved in the accident. Their insurance information and personal contact details are essential. Keeping track of these pertinent facts and documenting the scene, as well as getting medical records and police reports started, can help you to build a strong personal injury legal case in the future, if necessary.
Step four: Get the contact information of witnesses
While not always possible, depending on the circumstances of your Massachusetts motorcycle accident, identifying and getting the information for any witnesses of your collision can prove very useful if formal legal proceedings ever become necessary. Any eyewitnesses should be approached and asked to describe what they saw. You may later need these people to provide evidence or even testify in court.
These witnesses can help you in your future fight for compensation, but only if you’re sure to get their contact details. It’s imperative that you collect their names, addresses, and phone numbers, because your lawyer may want to get in touch with them as your case progresses. Of course, you should only do this if you are able to move around the scene without physical pain or endangering yourself.
Step five: Call a motorcycle injury attorney
As soon as possible after your collision, you should contact a motorcycle accident attorney. In fact, Kiley Law Group encourages victims to discuss the collision details with our lawyers even before contacting their insurance providers.
Insurance companies often start with low settlement offers and may pressure you to agree to a resolution. You, though, want to be sure that you are pursuing every avenue to get the compensation you deserve for your accident, and a lawyer can guide you in your decision.
What happens at the scene of a collision can prove crucial in the event that a lawsuit is filed against the negligent party later down the road, so you can increase your odds of getting the outcome you deserve by following these five steps.
In any case, come talk to the legal team at Kiley Law Group as soon as possible. Our Massachusetts injury lawyers have an extensive record of success in motorcycle accident cases and helping victims recover the financial security they need.
From the Scene of the Accident to Successful Resolution
It can take a while for a resolution to be reached after a motorcycle accident. However, in addition to taking the above steps in the immediate aftermath of your crash, there are some things you can do in the days and weeks following the accident that can help ease your case along.
What to do in the following days and weeks?
You could strengthen your case by making sure to:
- Maintain the condition of your motorcycle just as it was after the crash
- Keep the clothes you were wearing during the collision in the same state as the day of the accident, and;
- Write a detailed account of what happened according to your recollection and including what you recall based on photos you took at the scene
How to prove the other driver’s negligence?
These things can help your case as evidence and substantiation in proving that someone else involved in the accident caused your injuries and property damage. However, in order to legally establish that the other party was negligent, we need to prove that:
- The other party had a duty of care towards you as a driver sharing the road
- They breached that duty of care in some way
- Due to that breach, your accident resulted
- You suffered injuries and damages because of that accident
Get paid for your trouble
A motorcycle lawyer can help you gather the necessary evidence to prove the other driver’s negligence. Once proven, you could potentially recover monetary compensation.
Your compensation could cover your:
- Lost wages
- Medical treatments
- Hospital stays
- Medical equipment
- Rehabilitative care
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage, and;
- More
In order to ensure that you are aware of how much you may be entitled to recover, consulting a motorcycle accident attorney is paramount.
Kiley Law Group Stands Ready to Help
Motorcycle accidents can be scary, disorienting, confusing, and painful. Your natural instincts of what to do after a crash might be the very last that you should do. Don’t forget – your best bet is to stay calm, call for help, gather evidence, and find someone who can help get you back on the road to recovery.
At Kiley Law Group, we truly believe that one call can make all the difference. We offer a free case evaluation to each and every client, and we don’t charge you any fees until we win. We are standing by to help you with your motorcycle accident case. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (888) 435-1321.
