Riding a motorcycle has its fair share of thrills, but it’s also inherently dangerous. You’re 29 times more likely to get involved in an accident when you’re riding a motorcycle than if you were driving a car. In 2019 alone, slightly over 5,000 motorcyclists lost their lives in road accidents.
As a rider, there’s nothing quite like climbing your bike, firing up the motor, wearing your helmet, and tackling the open road. Being in a motorcycle accident is the last thing on your mind, but it’s a real possibility. Knowing what to do when (or if) you’ve been involved in an accident can make the difference between life and death.
In this article, we’re sharing tips on how to handle a motorbike accident aftermath.
Get Medical Attention Immediately
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident and you’re conscious, there’s only one thing you should do right away: call for help or ask anybody who is at the scene to call for help on your behalf. Don’t assume that other people will call for help even when they can see you’re clearly in pain or hurt. Take the initiative.
Even if you’re feeling fine or aren’t physically hurt, don’t hesitate to call for help. As a rider, you’re more exposed to the effects of impact, since you’ll most likely be thrown off the bike. Now, you’ve probably seen videos of riders who get into accidents, are tossed several meters away from their bikes, and somehow manage to get up and walk to where their bike is.
You might not be physically hurt, but you can’t know what’s happening on the inside. Traumatic brain injuries and internal injuries, which often show no immediate physical signs, are some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries.
Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
After a motorcycle accident, most victims don’t hire an attorney in good time. It’s understandable that you might find hiring an attorney an additional expense, especially if you’re already facing hefty medical bills.
However, hiring a personal injury lawyer is the next thing you should do while getting treatment. Whether you were at fault for the accident or not, you need an attorney. If you were in the wrong, your attorney will protect you from excessive or undue liability. If the accident had other victims, you can imagine that they’ll certainly come after you for compensation.
And if another party was at fault, they may be responsible for your injuries and property damage or loss. Don’t assume that they (or their insurance company) will willingly write you a settlement check at first asking. They’ll likely deny liability or want to settle for as little as possible.
There’s the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit if they aren’t meeting your demands. Your attorney will do this on your behalf and pursue the case till a favorable outcome is reached.
Don’t Let a Motorcycle Accident Ruin Your Life
Let’s face it: you’ve to be thankful for getting out of a motorcycle accident alive. But that’s not where it should end. Getting prompt medical treatment and hiring an attorney soon after are key steps you have to take.
Explore our blog for more helpful tips and advice.
