Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating, dangerous, and even deadly. In fact, from 2018 to 2022, 18,890 motorcycle crashes occurred on Ohio roads. Those crashes left 5,296 motorcyclists injured and 953 dead.
Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident can help protect you from further injury. It can also help you preserve your legal options to pursue compensation. Gervelis Law Firm has helped motorcycle riders all over Ohio deal with the aftermath of an accident, negotiate with insurance, and fight for the payouts they deserve.
Immediate Steps To Take After a Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle accident, the most important thing is to protect your safety and the safety of others.
- If possible, move your motorcycle away from traffic to a safe location.
- Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
- Keep all your gear on, including your helmet and jacket, until emergency services arrive. Removing your clothing could make any wounds you have worse.
- If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, stay where you are and keep movement to a minimum.
- Call 911 to contact first responders.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Once you get out of harm’s way, seek medical attention. Call 911 for an ambulance or have a trusted person drive you to the emergency room. This is important even if your injuries don’t seem that serious—the chaos of the accident and the adrenaline in your body may be masking pain and other signs of distress.
While protecting your health is vital, getting prompt medical attention is also important for protecting any insurance claims or legal cases you may file. You want your medical records to reflect the full extent of your injuries from the accident.
At Gervelis Law, your health and safety are our number one priority. We know healing from your accident comes first, so we’ll travel to your home or hospital bedside to meet with you and help you build your case.
Contact Law Enforcement
After you take care of your immediate medical needs, contact law enforcement to report your accident. They will likely talk to you and the other drivers involved and visit the accident scene. Cooperate with their investigation, but stick to objective facts and don’t admit any fault—anything you tell police could end up in their report.
Once the police report is completed, make sure you get a copy. If there’s something on the police report that doesn’t align with your understanding of the accident, contact your motorcycle accident attorney right away.
Document the Accident Scene
Law enforcement may document the accident scene as part of their investigation, but it’s important that you gather documentation on your own. Photos can assist in your insurance claim as well as any potential legal case. Snap a picture of everything you can, including:
- The accident scene
- The road condition, including any potholes or evidence of inclement weather
- Damage to your bike
- Your injuries
You will also want to gather contact and insurance information from any other drivers involved in the crash. Be careful with what you say—you want to avoid blaming others, blaming yourself, or speculating on the causes of the accident. In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, keeping a cool head is crucial.
There’s a lot to do after an accident, so Gervelis Law Firm proudly offers our clients a Rapid Investigation Team. Our private investigators will come to the scene within 24 hours to collect documentation, and our lawyers will help you follow up with law enforcement and your insurance company.
Notify Your Insurance Company
While you want to contact your insurance company quickly, you may wish to contact an Ohio motorcycle accident attorney first. A lawyer can help you better understand your case and legal options.
Insurance will want to settle quickly and for as little money as possible, so don’t admit blame or agree to any settlement immediately. Don’t consent to recorded statements or sign documents without seeking legal advice.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney understands how the insurance companies work and can help you fight for maximum compensation.
What Not To Do After a Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle accident, remember to look after your health and avoid saying or doing anything that could limit your legal options. Try to avoid these mistakes:
- Don’t leave the scene. Ensure that any injured people, including yourself, receive medical attention and that you collect contact information from other drivers involved in the accident.
- Don’t delay getting medical treatment. Injuries such as concussions and internal bleeding may not be immediately obvious, but they can have serious consequences if not treated promptly.
- Don’t post about your accident on social media. You don’t want to say anything in the heat of the moment that you can’t take back.
- Don’t put off consulting a lawyer. Getting legal help right away can help you secure maximum compensation. Ohio law also limits how long you have to file a
- Don’t agree to a settlement or sign any insurance paperwork before consulting an attorney.
How a Lawyer Can Help Protect Your Claim
A motorcycle accident attorney can help file insurance claims and pursue any legal case you may have. These lawyers know how the insurance companies work and whether a settlement offer is fair. They can help you get maximum compensation, including money for injuries, motorcycle damage, lost wages, and long-term care.
Law firms also have the resources to investigate your accident. They can help document roadway conditions, including any dangerous curves and turns. Lawyers can also help assess who was at fault in an accident, which can affect your compensation.
Insurance companies and the legal system may stereotype motorcycle riders as reckless and irresponsible. A skilled motorcycle lawyer can help you fight these biases with solid facts and deep knowledge of Ohio law.
If negotiations with the insurance companies break down, a good lawyer can also help you file a lawsuit to get the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Gervelis Law Firm Today
After a motorcycle accident, you can count on our law firm to fight hard for you. We’ve won big settlements for our motorcycle clients, including $300,000 for a case in Youngstown. We’ll be there for you throughout the process, informing you of your rights. You can read what past clients have said about working with us on our testimonials page.
From Toledo to Warren, clients across Ohio trust us to get the compensation they need and the justice they deserve. Our Rapid Investigation Team can be on-site gathering evidence within 24 hours, and our lawyers will fight until you get your maximum payout.
Contact Gervelis Law Firm today at 866-792-2728 for a free consultation.
