Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be a traumatic event. It can be difficult to even consider your next steps when you are likely suffering from very serious injuries. However, knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident can protect you both physically and financially.

1) Seek Medical Attention

If you did not receive medical attention at the scene, do so as soon as possible — even if you do not think you are badly injured.

There are a few reasons for this, but your overall well-being is the primary one. Many motorcycle injuries do not manifest themselves immediately following a motorcycle injury. Some symptoms may take hours or days to develop.

Victims of motorcycle accidents often suffer road rash as well. Many motorcycle accident victims may think this injury is minor and feel they can treat their road rash injury and manage the pain themselves. However, road rash is susceptible to infection and other complications if it does not receive proper medical attention.

It also helps your injury claim to receive immediate medical attention. If you wait days or weeks to obtain medical attention, the other party’s insurer might claim you are exaggerating your injuries or that they occurred after the accident.

2) Watch Who You Speak to After the Accident

Like most people involved in an accident, you will probably call your insurance company to notify it about your accident. You will also probably exchange information with the other motorist even if you were not at fault. This is all standard practice following an accident.

However, even if the police report states that you were not at fault, you want to avoid speaking to the other driver’s insurance company or its insurance adjuster. The adjuster might seem compassionate and willing to help; however, her job is to get you to say something that might jeopardize your claim or to accept a settlement that is much too low.

If the adjuster calls you asking about the accident, supply her with only the basics:

  • Time and date of the accident
  • Location of the accident
  • Type of accident

If she asks if you are okay or if you suffered any injuries, let her know that you are waiting to hear back from your doctor. Direct any other questions to your lawyer. Sheryl Burke worked as an insurance adjuster, so she knows all the tricks. When you trust your case to her, she will protect you and your claim from any of the insurer’s tactics.

Note: This can also apply to your own insurer. While your insurance company’s number one goal should be protecting you, it rarely is. Instead, it wants to save as much money as possible. This often means giving its policyholders less compensation than they deserve after an accident.

3) Keep Track of Any Bills or Receipts

It can be difficult to get organized after an accident; however, it is essential to ensuring you get every cent you deserve. Keep all the following in a folder in a safe place:

  • Medical bills
  • Time-off requests
  • Parking fees
  • Gas receipts
  • Body shop receipts
  • Any other accident-related costs

4) Do Not Repair Your Bike Until You Have Documented the Damage

Many people make the mistake of repairing their bike immediately after an accident. However, the bike can be a source of evidence for the accident. If you can, avoid repairing your motorcycle until all the insurance adjusters and any accident reconstruction experts or investigators have examined it.

5) Keep Up with Your Medical Care

It is not enough to simply get medical care after the accident. You must continue to attend appointments and obey your doctor’s orders. Any deviation from your treatment plan could allow the insurer to claim that you are falsifying or contributing to your injuries. Because Georgia follows a comparative negligence law, this could leave you partially responsible for your injury costs.  

6) Call an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents are usually more serious than other vehicle accidents. Because of the lack of protection, injuries are often catastrophic, and you might need to take months off work. You might never return to your old job. You might need to retire from the workforce completely.

It is possible to collect damages following an accident on your own. However, it can be difficult to handle a motorcycle accident alone in the best of health; when recovering from severe injuries, it can seem impossible.

Over the past two decades, Sheryl Burke has dedicated herself to collecting damages on behalf of accident victims. We want to help you too. And we know you likely cannot afford any more expenses. That is why our consultations are free. We also work on a contingency basis. This means we do not receive compensation unless you do. Reach out to us at 404-842-7838.