Bikers are often faced with difficult decisions when it comes to road crashes. What should you do if you're in a crash? Should you stay or should you go? What are your rights as a biker?
In this article, we will discuss some useful tips for bikers on legally handling motorcycle road crashes.
Assemble the Situation After a Crash
The first thing you should do if you're in a road crash is to assess the situation. If you can, move your motorcycle to the side of the road so that it's not blocking traffic.
Try to stay calm and avoid getting angry. It's important to remember that you have rights as a biker, and you should exercise those rights.
You may even confirm this by visiting the Detroit Car Accident Lawyer websites for instance. If you see that the other driver is at fault, don't hesitate to call the police. They will help sort out the situation and protect your rights.
Take Pictures
If you're able to, take pictures of the scene of the accident. This includes pictures of the damage to your motorcycle and any injuries that you sustained. The pictures can be used as evidence in any legal proceedings.
The pictures you take should be clear and well-lit. Include a picture of the entire scene, as well as close-ups of any damage or injuries. When you are positioning yourself to take pictures, make sure that you are not in the way of oncoming traffic. Gather your evidence and then move to a safe location.
Get the Contact Information of Everyone Involved
Once you have assessed the situation, it's important to get the contact information of everyone involved in the crash. This includes the other driver, any witnesses, and any passengers. It's also a good idea to take photos of the scene of the crash, as this can be helpful evidence later on.
While Remaining at the Scene
If you are able to, get the other driver's name, address, phone number, insurance information, and license plate number. If there are any witnesses to the crash, get their names and contact information as well. It's also important to take photos of the damage to both vehicles involved in the crash. Once you have gathered this information, you can then decide whether or not to call the police.
Get Medical Attention
If you or anyone else involved in the road crash is injured, it's important to get medical attention. Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. It's important to document any injuries that you sustained in the accident. This will be important if you decide to file a personal injury claim. For your medical records, make sure to get the name and contact information of your treating doctor. You should also keep track of all medical expenses that you incur as a result of the accident. This includes hospital bills, prescriptions, and physical therapy if necessary.
If You Decide to Call the Police
If you decide to call the police, be sure to give them a detailed account of what happened. It's important, to be honest with the police and not try to cover up anything. Once the police have filed a report, be sure to get a copy of it.
Make sure to mention to the police if you have any injuries. This is important because it will give you a record of the crash and your injuries.
After the Police Have Left
If you don't have any serious injuries, you can then decide whether or not to file an insurance claim. If you do decide to file a claim, be sure to gather all of the information and evidence that you collected at the scene of the crash. This will be helpful in supporting your claim.
Moreover, while it is important, to be honest with your insurance company, you should not give them a recorded statement. You can give them a written statement of what happened, but you should not sign anything or agree to anything until you have spoken with an attorney.
Making an Insurance Claim
If you decide to make an insurance claim, it's important, to be honest with your insurance company. Don't try to hide anything or downplay the extent of the damage. Once you have filed a claim, the insurance company will likely send an adjuster to assess the damage. Be sure to cooperate with the adjuster and answer any questions honestly.
Consulting With an Attorney
After a road crash, you may want to consult with an attorney. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options, and they can also help you file a claim with the other driver's insurance company. If you decide to pursue legal action, it's important to do so as soon as possible.
An important note: be sure to avoid giving any recorded statements to the other driver's insurance company without first consulting with an attorney.
The insurance company may use your statement against you, so it's important to have an attorney present when giving a statement. So, the best course of action is to avoid giving a statement altogether.
Get the Other Driver's Information
If you're able to, get the other driver's information. This includes their name, contact information, insurance information, and license plate number. It's important to get this information so that you can file a police report and make a claim with the other driver's insurance company.
In addition, when the other driver provides their insurance information, make sure to get the name of their insurance company and their policy number.
Filing an Insurance Claim
If you're involved in a road crash, you will likely need to file an insurance claim. You should contact your own insurance company as well as the other driver's insurance company. The insurance companies will likely have their own process for handling claims. It's important to follow the process and provide any information that is requested.
Dealing with the aftermath of a road crash can be difficult. But by following these tips, you can ensure that you're taking the proper steps to protect your rights. Remember, you have rights as a biker, and you should exercise those rights. If you have any questions, be sure to consult with an attorney.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Olivia Poglianich
Content Strategist
Olivia Poglianich is a nomadic brand strategist and copywriter in the ski and snowboard space who has worked with brands such as Visa, Disney and Grey Goose. Her writing has taken her all over the world, from a Serbian music festival to a Malaysian art and culture event. Olivia is a graduate of Cornell University and is often writing or reading about travel, hospitality, the start-up ecosystem or career coaching. Her latest interests are at the intersection of web3 and communal living, both on and offline.
