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What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycles are all fun and games until somebody gets hurt and a severe accident happens. You don’t want to wonder what to do immediately after a bike accident – prepare yourself with the help of our personal injury lawyers’ expertise.
Safely operating a motorcycle can help manage your risk. Still, it’s impossible to eliminate it altogether because you share the road with other drivers—those other parties are at fault 40% of the time.
What to do immediately after a bike accident?
Accidents are stressful, especially with the added vulnerabilities a motorcycle brings. Our Hamilton motorcycle accident lawyers have seen it all over the last 60+ years representing victims. Let’s walk through what to do in the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident and in the weeks and months to come. We hope you never need this advice, but it can give you the confidence to deal with a bad situation.
What should you do if you are a victim of a motorcycle accident?
It can be hard to keep calm when dealing with the confusion, trauma, and pain in the aftermath of an accident. But what happens next could significantly impact your health outcomes and potential motorcycle accident lawsuit settlements later. If you need to call in a trusted friend or family member to help document what’s happening, do so ASAP, then walk through these steps together.
Do a head-to-toe check for injuries.
Some motorcycle accident injuries might be immediately obvious, while others are invisible, like traumatic brain injury or whiplash. And since your adrenaline is pumping post-accident, you’re less likely to feel pain. Check yourself carefully for injuries and immediately check all others involved in the crash. If anyone is injured, call 9-1-1.
Get to a safe location away from traffic.
If the motorcycle, you, or any other vehicles involved in the accident are still on the road, move them to a safe location if possible. Take photos first, and avoid touching the motorcycle any more than absolutely necessary from a safety standpoint. You want to prevent further accidents caused by drivers arriving on the scene and running into unexpected obstacles.
Call the police.
It’s good practice to call the police even for minor accidents because they often are much more serious than they seem on the surface. If you realize you have injuries in the coming hours or days, you want that police report filed to provide an official record of what happened. Without that document, it’s difficult to prove what happened to insurance companies and courts later. At worst, nothing major comes out of your accident, and that paper gives you peace of mind.
What to do after a minor motorcycle accident?
In Ontario, you must legally report any collision with injuries and combined damages exceeding $2,000. Even minor fender benders tend to reach that threshold, so you have a legal obligation to call.
Exchange contact information with other parties and witnesses.
Exchange insurance and contact information with any/all other parties involved in the accident and grab contact information from witnesses. Take down license plate numbers, policy details, names, phone numbers, addresses, and emails to contact other parties as you need in the coming weeks and months.
Ask any attending police officers for a copy of their reports and business cards so you can easily contact them and follow up later.
Take photos of the accident scene.
The more photos you have of what happened, the easier it will be to piece the story together later for insurance companies and courtrooms. Take photos of damage to vehicles or property and any visible injuries. You’ll also want to document any road conditions or signage that may have played a role in the accident.
Seek out professional medical attention.
Should I go to hospital after bike crash?
Whether you feel seriously injured or think you’re okay, you should get checked out after an accident. Some injuries are invisible at first but need quick treatment.
How long does it take to recover from a bike accident?
It all depends on the severity and nature of your injuries. Sometimes, we don’t feel injuries until 48 hours after an accident, but it can take weeks, months, or even years to recover. By then, it will be harder to prove they were caused by the accident. Worse yet, a serious, life-threatening injury, like internal bleeding, could go unnoticed and untreated until it’s too late.
Speak with your insurance company.
Gather all necessary documentation, such as your photos and the police report, and report to your insurance company as soon as possible. You may seek out the help of a motorcycle accidents lawyer to help you understand the complex paperwork and start filing forms for accident benefits, income replacement, and more.
What happens if I’m injured in a motorcycle accident?
If you’re injured in a crash, reach out to an attorney for motorcycle accidents, like our team at The Morris Law Group.
By Ontario law, motorcyclists must carry a proper license and insurance, which entitles them to Statutory Accident Benefits through their own insurance. The benefit claims process can be complex and confusing, so enlisting an Accident Benefits Consultant can help you navigate it seamlessly and get your payout faster.
If you want to start a claim against another at-fault party in the accident, you need to start a “tort claim.” It’s crucial to go through lawyers for motorcycle accidents if you’re going the tort claim route because they can help build your case and represent you in court if the case goes to trial. Your tort claim can cover everything from lost wages and future income loss to future medical expenses and pain and suffering.
How much are most motorcycle accident settlements?
The settlement always depends on the severity of the impacts on your life. If an accident leaves you unable to work again, you may receive compensation in the millions, while more minor accidents could fall into the tens of thousands. The settlements are calculated based on the costs and losses the victim faces due to the accident.
The Morris Law Group—Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Hamilton
Recovery from a motorcycle accident can cause an incredible amount of stress, especially if you’re worried about getting a fair settlement or insurance payout to help cover the cost of your healthcare expenses and lost wages.
If you’ve been in an accident, our motorcycle personal injury lawyers are ready to counsel you on your next best steps. We help you seek fair compensation, receive accident benefits, and navigate the complicated insurance and legal systems. Request a free consultation or call us at 905-526-8080 to learn more.
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