Riding a motorcycle can be a fun and exhilarating way to get from place to place. Practically, it can also save you a great deal of money on gas. But motorcycles carry a great deal of risk—and an accident can leave you with life-changing injuries. Sadly, drivers are not as cautious around motorcycles as they should be, and motorcyclists are 6 times more likely to be injured in a motor vehicle crash than car occupants.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered serious injuries, you should talk with a motorcycle accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to discuss your case. You may be able to seek legal compensation for your damages.
Following a motorcycle accident, what you do will have a bearing on how well you heal from the accident, both physically and mentally—along with whether you stand a chance of securing just compensation. Here are the six things you should do after a motorcycle accident.
1. Call the Police
If you’re able, you should contact the police—even if you believe the accident isn’t bad enough to merit it. Having the authorities come and document the scene can help you later on if you discover you’ve suffered a serious injury. And when you call 911, they can send an ambulance to check you for injuries on-site. If the paramedics see anything concerning, they can ensure you get the medical attention you need to recover from your motorcycle accident.
It’s important to note that some injuries don’t make themselves known right away. Even if you think you feel fine at first, it’s a good idea to call 911 after an accident. Once you leave the scene or get into your normal routines, you might discover that you’re more severely injured than you originally thought, and by then, it may be too late to connect your injuries back to the accident. Having a paramedic inspect your injuries on-site can help prevent this, and the police report will help prove the circumstances of the accident in case you decide to file a claim.
2. Do Not Remove Your Safety Gear
Wait for the paramedic team to arrive before removing your safety gear, unless keeping it on might put you in further danger (e.g. there is gasoline on your gear). Your helmet supports your neck and spine. Removing your helmet could put a strain on your neck and spine, which just went through a traumatic event. Motorcyclists who wait to remove their protective gear are less likely to aggravate their injuries. If you’re in a safe place away from other moving vehicles, stay put and wait for help to arrive. If you are able to move without pain, consider using your phone’s camera to document the scene of the accident and any damage to your motorcycle while you wait.
3. Stay Calm
Depending on how bad your accident is, you might start to panic and worry about what just happened to you. The moments leading up to the accident and the accident itself might replay in your mind on repeat while you wait for emergency services. With every repeat of the accident, you might feel yourself getting more irritated, anxious, or even angry.
Try to stay calm so that you can speak in a coherent and thorough manner once emergency services arrive. Additionally, remember that panic can lead to stress, which can aggravate your symptoms further.
Panic and stress (on top of the pain of any injuries you may have suffered) can cause you to say things to the other parties involved that you should not. Avoid discussions with the other drivers outside of exchanging contact information and insurance documentation. Don’t admit guilt, even if you suspect you may be partially at fault. Wait for the police to arrive before discussing the details of the accident for the report, and contact a motorcycle accident attorney as quickly as possible.
4. Get Medical Attention and Document Your Injuries
If you believe you’ve been injured, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you wear all the recommended protective equipment, you’re likely to sustain some injuries when involved in a motorcycle accident, purely because you don’t have the protection provided by a larger vehicle. It’s best to play things cautiously and get medical attention to ensure you aren’t suffering from serious injuries.
It’s not pleasant to think about, but a severe motorcycle accident could leave you with life-altering injuries and large medical bills that you’ll need assistance with. Having a formal diagnosis and documentation related to your injuries can protect your rights to file a personal injury claim later, should you need to do so.
5. Avoid Talking to the Insurance Company Alone
Motorcyclists who have been seriously injured in an accident should not speak to the insurance company alone. A motorcycle accident attorney can protect your rights and ensure you don’t say something you’ll regret later.
At first, you might not think you’ll need to take any legal action against the other party involved in an accident. However, you should always protect your legal rights in case your situation changes. What might seem like short-term injuries now can turn into a larger problem later, prompting you to take legal action.
6. Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Fort Lauderdale
Victims of motorcycle accidents should discuss the matter with a qualified motorcycle attorney in Fort Lauderdale or the surrounding area. An attorney can discuss the details of your accident with you and review your medical documents to help you determine whether you have a valid claim against the other driver.
Act Quickly After Your Motorcycle Accident
Goldman & Daszkal is a law firm staffed with experienced personal injury attorneys in Florida. If you’re struggling with medical bills or suffering from injuries after a motorcycle accident, we can help. Our legal team will act quickly to secure the compensation you deserve, giving you the peace of mind you need to heal. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.