Picture this: you’re riding your motorcycle down the road in Duluth or Lawrenceville when something knocks your wheels out from under you. Your bike spins out, or worse, you find yourself flying over the handlebar. Disoriented and in shock, you pick yourself up to find traffic still speeding around you.
What next?
This scenario is unfortunately all too common for motorcyclists, so it’s important to know how to deal with the fallout. A Duluth motorcycle accident lawyer can help you once you’ve tackled the immediate aftermath and left the scene, but it’s not always easy to know what to do right away, especially if you’re dealing with injuries.
If you ever find yourself struggling after a crash, here’s what you should do before reaching out to a Duluth or Lawrenceville motorcycle accident lawyer.
Ensure Your Safety
Depending on where you and your bike come to rest after your motorcycle accident in Lawrenceville, GA or Duluth, GA, you may need to get out of the way.
If the collision happened on a busy street, move out of traffic to safety if you’re able. Your bike may be your “baby,” but you’ll have to be prepared to leave it behind if it’s too damaged to move.
If the accident happened on a quieter road with little traffic and good visibility, you may be able to stay in place. This can help you preserve evidence, as it’s helpful for the police to see where all vehicles ended up after a collision. It’s also helpful if you later decide to contact a Duluth motorcycle accident lawyer.
Whatever happens, give yourself a few minutes to recover. Adrenaline is great at covering pain from a motorcycle accident injury, so scrapes and bleeding might not be obvious to you right away. Shock is also common after a bad accident, so know how to recognize the signs.
Another tip is to leave your gear on. Moving around to take off your helmet, for example, can aggravate neck or spine damage. If you’ve been injured, limit your movement as much as possible.
Once you’re in a safe place, sit or lie down if needed. Your first priority should always be your health.
Call 911
You should always contact emergency services after a crash, even a minor one. If your phone was damaged during the collision, ask someone else to do it. Avoid the bystander effect by singling out someone specific in your request.
Gather Evidence
While you wait for the police to arrive on the scene, it’s important to collect evidence and statements from witnesses if you can. This information can help with a future motorcycle accident claim.
Here are the types of evidence you’ll want to collect:
- The contact information for any other drivers
- The license plate number, make, and model of any vehicles
- The insurance information of any other drivers
- Photos and videos of the accident scene, including the position of the vehicles
- Photos and videos of any relevant traffic signs or road conditions
- Photos and videos of the damage to your bike as well as any other vehicles
- Photos and videos of any motorcycle accident injury you received
- Contact information and statements from witnesses who saw the accident
Even small details can become crucial once you begin working with a Lawrenceville motorcycle accident lawyer. Take photos of everything from skid marks to road obstructions.
Be Thoughtful in Your Police Statement
When the police arrive, give them a detailed report of what happened from your perspective. The more details you provide in your favor, the easier your future motorcycle accident case will be.
However, be careful about what you say.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer in Duluth can help you avoid incriminating yourself in the future, but you’re often on your own during your initial statement to the police. You should never bring up or apologize for your role in an accident, no matter how minor. For example, avoid mentioning that you might have missed a traffic sign or that you forgot to wear safety gear.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company to let them know an accident has happened. In Georgia, you need to do this anytime a collision causes an injury, death, or property damage greater than $500.
Be just as careful with your insurance agent as you were with the police: state your side of the story and never admit fault. Don’t agree to let them record your statement unless a Lawrenceville motorcycle accident lawyer tells you to do so.
Get Medical Attention
Even if you think you have no injuries or your injuries were minor, it’s important to get medical attention. Motorcyclists tend to have at least a few scrapes and bruises after a crash, and more severe injuries are more common than they are for car drivers. Worse, certain types of head and neck injuries, broken bones, and muscle and joint injuries may not be obvious right away.
Seek medical attention right away. This can also help create an objective trail of evidence around your injuries.
Reach Out to a Duluth Motorcycle Lawyer
If you’re hoping to get compensation after a motorcycle accident in Lawrenceville, GA or Duluth, GA, you’ll need legal support. Choosing a lawyer with experience in motorcycle accident cases can be a huge help.
Your lawyer can help you get more out of a motorcycle accident claim or bring a case to court if needed. They can also take over communications with both the other driver and your insurance company, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Find a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Duluth
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident in Lawrenceville or Duluth can be chaotic and stressful, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Choosing a lawyer with the right skills and experience can make it easy to deal with your insurance claim or create a legal case.
When it’s time to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer in Duluth or Lawrenceville, our team of personal injury lawyers is here to help. We’ll fight for your rights and help you get just compensation for your injuries. To learn more, request a free consultation with one of our Lawrenceville motorcycle accident lawyers.