Riding your motorcycle is a truly liberating experience. It not only helps promote a unique sense of freedom but also allows you to reach your destinations faster. However, there will be days when the weather will be against you — causing you to take extra precautions on the road.
Sometimes, even with safety measures in place, there will be another driver on your path who will make a mistake that causes an accident. When that situation happens, it is important for you to be aware of how exactly you can protect your rights.
In this blog, we will discuss the essential steps you need to take after being in a motorcycle crash:
Move to safety and call 911
After the crash, you must try to stay alert and move to a safe spot. Assess yourself for injuries and dial 911 to ask for urgent medical assistance.
While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, you must exchange contact details and insurance information with the other party involved. If there are witnesses nearby, you should also ask for their contact details and a copy of their car’s dashcam footage (if there are any).
Notify the police
Under New Jersey motor vehicle laws, you must report the accident to the police if it caused an injury and/or over $500 in property damage. This official crash report will be a vital piece of evidence for your personal injury claim.
Once the police arrive at the scene, be cooperative with their investigation and inform them of what happened. The officer-in-charge will provide you with a crash report number that you can use later when you need to obtain a copy of your crash report.
Seek prompt medical care
After you leave the scene of the accident, you must go to the hospital to get evaluated by healthcare professionals. Do not delay this step or your condition may worsen.
As you finish your treatments and other required medical tests, ensure to keep a copy of all your medical reports, prescriptions and receipts. These documents are vital for your claims process.
Collect more evidence
After getting some rest, you must return to the scene of the accident to gather photos and video evidence from different angles. If you can ask a family member or a friend for help, they can assist you on this task and ensure you do not put too much pressure on your injuries.
Call your insurance company
Before you contact your insurance company, it is highly ideal to consult with a personal injury lawyer first. With their comprehensive knowledge on this matter, they can advise you how to best converse with your insurer without admitting fault or having your rights taken advantage of.
With a helping hand, you can focus on your recovery
Being in a motorcycle crash is a scary experience to go through. If at any stage of your personal injury claim’s process, things become overwhelming to manage, it is important to remember that you can seek the help of legal counsel on this matter.
With their guidance, they can determine fault in your accident, obtain official reports and advocate for your best interests. This step not only helps safeguard your rights but also allows you to shift your focus on your recovery.