Georgia boasts long highways and a great climate, both of which lend themselves well to motorcycling. However, while you may feel wild and free riding your bike out on the open road, it isn’t without risk. If you find yourself in a collision with another vehicle or truck, you may very well suffer catastrophic injuries that could keep you from working or take months to recover from. For this reason, it’s critical to know what to do in the aftermath of a motorcycle crash to protect yourself and ensure that you will be able to recover for the damages that you incur as a result.
Your Checklist for After a Motorcycle Accident
- Get away from traffic. This should be your number one priority. Particularly as a motorcyclist, it’s likely that you will separate from your bike during the crash and may be hard for drivers in higher vehicles to see. Get out of the roadway as fast as you can to avoid further injury.
- Call the police to report the accident and request first responders if anyone has been injured.
- Do not take off your helmet and safety gear. It’s important that when police arrive at the scene that they can see that you were wearing a helmet and safety gear, taking it off prior to their arrival may create the impression that you were not wearing any during the accident, which can potentially impact your recovery. Removing safety gear may also exacerbate injuries, so it’s best to wait for EMTs to arrive at the scene.
- Collect evidence. If you are physically able, use this time to collect as much evidence as possible at the scene of the accident. Take both photos and video of the accident and surroundings, including any traffic lights, signs, or signals. Take pictures of the license plates of all vehicles involved. Get the other driver’s license, registration, and insurance information. If the other driver involved fled, write down or record everything you can remember about the car and license plate. Also look for anyone who might have seen the crash and collect their contact information so that they can serve as a witness.
- Get medical attention. If you believe you may be injured, be sure to tell the police or paramedics at the scene so that you can receive proper medical attention and be transported to the hospital if necessary. Even if you do not believe that you are injured, it’s critical to seek a medical assessment as soon as possible after the accident. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding, organ damage, and traumatic brain injuries, are not immediately apparent, but can be life threatening if left untreated.
- Talk to a Lawyer. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to talk to a lawyer before speaking with an insurance claims adjuster to ensure you do not provide information that may harm your case and that you receive a fair settlement.
Schedule a Consultation with the Durham Law Group, P.C.
If you have been seriously injured in an Atlanta or greater Georgia area motorcycle accident, you deserve quality representation. The experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys at the Durham Law Group will fight to protect your rights and get you the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. Contact the Durham Law Group today to schedule your consultation.
