What Should I Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident?

The immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident may be disorienting and confusing. You may be unsure of exactly what happened and who is responsible.

The team at Suzuki Law Offices has experience working as prosecutors, meaning you have representation that is not afraid to be aggressive or take your case to court if necessary.

In those first moments and days following your motorcycle accident, you may encounter several things that can make or break your case. Many injury victims report feeling unprepared for the best way to handle their accident, and our Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer believes that people should have access to information that can help them.

While we know every case is unique, there are a few general guidelines to follow that may make your case significantly less stressful.

Call 911

Immediately following your motorcycle accident, you should move your bike off the main area if it is safe and call 911. Aside from the legal obligation to call the police if someone is injured outlined in A.R.S. §28-666, this step is crucial for two reasons. The first is that police will come and investigate the scene by taking witness statements and photos and ensuring the safety of everyone there. 

A second benefit of calling 911 is that it dispatches Emergency Medical Services if you need them to assess or treat injuries at the scene. This immediate evaluation can ensure you can safely transport yourself for further evaluation or determine that you need assistance.

When they arrive and do the evaluation, the providers will create their own reports on their observations and your injuries.

Motorcycle accidents and complications from their injuries can be incredibly dangerous. The National Safety Council (NSC)  Injury Facts reports that motorcycles are responsible for nearly 15% of accident fatalities in the United States. You may be injured from your accident and not know it until someone else notices, and this is yet another reason calling 911 is beneficial to your case. 

Seek Medical Attention

If EMS workers address your injuries at the scene of your accident, that is great, but it may not negate the need to receive a more thorough exam from a physician. After an accident, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. The immediate reason is your safety. 

There may be injuries that don’t show up until hours or days later. Seeing a physician soon after the accident may help you identify them sooner or let you know what to prepare for to avoid exacerbating them when signs appear. When you seek treatment, following all recommendations, including waiting for approval before returning to work, is essential.  

Beyond your safety, documentation is a key component of any strong case. Medical evaluation establishes care and a baseline of your injuries. Failure to immediately seek evaluation may also give the impression that your injuries are not present or not as severe as you claim they are. 

Collect Evidence

Evidence helpful in a motorcycle accident case can be a number of things, many of which your lawyer will help you obtain. They may be able to gather some of this information independently, but they may also advise you on how to gather it.

To make that task easier, there are a few things a motorcycle accident lawyer may advise you to do immediately after your motorcycle accident. 

Witness Information 

If you notice any bystanders who may have witnessed the accident, it may help you to get their contact information. Sometimes, witnesses may have their own photos or dashcam footage that can help the investigation. They may also be able to provide a statement that corroborates your narrative if the defendant challenges your statement of what happened. 

Photos

Taking photos of the scene and your injuries can be a vital piece of your case. In a motorcycle accident, a lot may be determined by the type of injuries sustained and where they are on your body. Your photos can be most helpful if they include your motorcycle, the other vehicle, your injuries, clothing, and pictures of the surrounding area. 

Items

It may be helpful if you can collect the clothes you were wearing in the accident, including your helmet. Examining the damage to your clothing, riding leathers, or other protective gear may help strengthen your case by corroborating your statement. Your lawyer can help you determine which specific items may be helpful in your case.

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Dealing with Insurance

While it is essential to notify your insurance company as soon as possible, you may want to be careful with what you say. Keeping your statement to the truth and concise is generally the best policy. However, this point is not too soon in the process of having an attorney with you.

It is good practice to avoid speaking with the other party’s insurance until you have spoken with a lawyer. Neither insurance company is invested in your best interest, but the other party’s company works against your interests. They will exploit anything you say that may damage your case. 

Insurance and Fault in Your Motorcycle Accident 

The foundation of your settlement is based on who is liable or at fault for your accident. In Arizona, fault is determined in a motorcycle case by the insurance company. Every conversation you have with them is part of their investigation to reduce their liability. 

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Call a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today 

Of all the possible actions you may take immediately after a motorcycle accident, calling a lawyer can only help you. The earlier our Phoenix motorcycle accident attorney can get involved, the more opportunities they may have to build your case and help you reduce your own liability.

At Suzuki Law offices, we take pride in providing individualized arguments for our clients and their unique situations and we have the reviews to support it. 

We offer free case evaluations that you can schedule by phone or through an online form. We have options for contingency fee schedules, allowing you to recover compensation before paying our fees.

Motorcycle accidents can be catastrophic, and you should not have to bear the full burden of someone else’s poor decisions. 

Call or text 602-682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form