What to Do Right Away Following a Motorcycle Accident to Protect Your Rights
Immediately after a motorcycle accident, you can start taking action to protect your rights. Here is a general outline of what to do:
- Call 911
- Document the accident scene as well as you can
- Answer questions from the police honestly and simply
- Get medical help
- Hire a motorcycle accident lawyer
Getting Help Protects Your Motorcycle Accident Rights
Your first concern after a motorcycle crash should be your health rather than your legal rights. This is the correct instinct to follow, and getting medical help can help strengthen your case later on.
Calling 911 after a crash allows you to:
- Summon all of the help you need from the police, the fire department, and the emergency medical services
- Bring help to your location rather than having to find it yourself
- Start a paper trail that proves the accident happened in the way you say it did
- Ensure that you, your passengers, and the person who hit you can all receive help promptly
What to Say to Your Doctor After a Motorcycle Crash
Whether you go to the hospital or wait to book an appointment with your primary care provider, tell the doctor everything about how your injury occurred and how you feel. Include all the symptoms you have, no matter how minor you think they may be. These symptoms can develop into something more serious later on, and you want everything documented from the outset.
If you neglect to tell the doctor everything, and you later develop additional symptoms, the insurance company or the at-fault party’s motorcycle accident attorneys in fort lauderdale can claim these were not a result of the accident.
Medical professionals can tell you what to do immediately after a motorcycle accident to protect your health. By following their instructions, you also protect your rights: your medical records can prove your need for damages.
What to Say to Police After a Motorcycle Crash
Once the police arrive, they will want to know what happened. You should provide them with:
- Honest answers that are to the point
- No speculation or guesswork
- Your contact information, just in case they have follow-up questions later
The police will take everything you say and any other materials they collect and use it to compile a report. As an example, Florida Statutes § 316.066 requires that the police file accident reports within a certain period of time. You can then use this report as evidence in your case.
Accident Scene Documentation and Your Rights
Before you leave the scene to go home or to the hospital, you can document the scene by:
- Taking photos or videos of your injuries, the state of your bike, the state of the other party’s vehicle, and the general environment
- Getting the name, address, and insurance information of the driver who hit you
- Getting the names and phone numbers of witnesses who saw the crash or tried to help you after the fact
Collect Motorcycle Accident Evidence With Caution
Of all the post-accident procedures listed here, this is the only one you should consider optional. Do not risk your health by staying in an unsafe location or putting off medical care. While documenting the scene helps protect your rights, your lawyer can collect evidence in your case whether or not you took steps to do so yourself.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Exist to Protect Your Rights
After a motorcycle crash, you can consider legal action to protect your rights and recover compensation. After completing all of the above steps, you can contact a personal injury lawyer to:
- Assess your case at no charge
- Build up your case file
- Deal with insurance companies
- Identify the liable party or parties
- Handle paperwork and manage communications
- Quantify your injuries to determine your case’s financial worth
- Negotiate for a fair settlement or fight in court for a jury award
- Answer all of your questions about your case
- Do everything they can to protect and help you act on your rights
- Keep you updated as your case proceeds
- Provide advice and suggestions as you want them
Protecting your rights after a Miami motorcycle accident lawyer is part of the job for personal injury law firms. Together, riders and lawyers can prevent motorcycle crashes and make the roadways safer for everyone.
Your Right to Motorcycle Accident Damages Can Expire
State law gives you a limited amount of time to begin a case. Florida’s limit is two years, per Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(a). Other states have comparable deadlines.
Taking immediate action is crucial to preserve your right to compensation. Once you have received medical care, you can talk to a personal injury law firm to learn what that action might entail.
Act Immediately to Get Justice for Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries
If you are wondering what to do immediately after a motorcycle accident to protect your rights, call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270 today. We care about your recovery and want to do everything we can to get you fair compensation, no matter who is liable. You will owe us nothing until we recover compensation for you.
