What Do I Do If I Crash My Motorcycle In Pennsylvania?
One of the most serious types of collisions you might be involved in is a motorcycle crash. These types of accidents frequently leave the victims with catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities. Unfortunately, both victims and their families might be impacted for the rest of their lives by the devastating effects of motorcycle collisions. Survivors of motorcycle crashes might be left with excruciating pain and skyrocketing medical expenses combined with losses of income. Many motorcycle accident victims also contend with accident-related psychological trauma and other types of non-economic injuries. It can seem overwhelming to know what to do after a Pennsylvania motorcycle crash. Here are some important steps to take immediately after your crash from the experienced legal team at Raynes & Lawn.
Call The Police
The first thing you should do after a motorcycle crash is to call 911. The dispatcher will send the police and emergency medical personnel to the accident scene. This is important to ensure you receive immediate medical attention and that your collision is immediately investigated. The police officers will conduct a short investigation of the accident scene, will talk to you, the other involved motorist, and any witnesses, and will document their findings in a police report. The report can provide you and your attorney with important information about the collision in the event you decide to pursue compensation in a lawsuit.
Gather Evidence Of The Motorcycle Accident
Today, most people have smartphones. This technology makes it easier to gather critical evidence at the scene of a motorcycle wreck. If you wreck your bike and are able to do so, take photos and record video at the accident scene. Photograph the damage to your bike and the other involved vehicle as well as their positions. Take pictures of the road conditions, weather conditions, road debris, crash debris, skid marks, and other relevant details. Take more photos than you might think you need. Ask any witnesses for their names and contact information, and ask them if you can record their statements of what they observed. If you are too severely injured to gather evidence, ask someone else to help. In some cases, a rider’s phone might be too damaged in a motorcycle wreck. Asking someone else to take photos for you can provide important evidence if you later decide to pursue a claim. You should also look for news coverage about your accident and save the reports. In some cases, you might learn information from a news report that you didn’t previously know.
Do Not Admit Fault
Some people naturally feel the need to apologize after accidents even when they were not at fault. If you feel like doing this, resist the urge. Apologizing for an accident might lead the insurance company to blame you for what happened. The police officers who respond to the accident scene will investigate and determine who might have caused your collision. Following this initial determination, both your motorcycle accident injury lawyer and the insurance company will complete their own investigations to determine fault. Admitting fault or apologizing right after an accident can interfere with this process. Make sure to cooperate with the police and emergency medical personnel who respond to the scene. Give a statement to the police officer, but do not admit fault. Something might have occurred that caused your accident that you might not be aware of. Keep your statement about the facts, and do not speculate.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
It is always important to seek immediate medical attention following a motorcycle crash. Some injuries have delayed symptoms, so you might not immediately realize that you have been injured. The adrenaline released by your body and the shock of the accident can both mask the pain from injuries. Some injuries also might not be visible but are still serious, including internal organ damage and bleeding.
Neck pain can also indicate a common injury called whiplash. This type of injury commonly occurs in rear-end collisions that cause your neck and head to move back and forth rapidly. Whiplash can cause multiple symptoms, including stiffness, a loss of the range of motion, headaches, and more. Serious whiplash injuries might also cause tinnitus, blurred vision, and memory problems. In some cases, neck pain can also happen because of torn tissues or fractures. You should never ignore neck pain after a motorcycle crash and should instead see a doctor to be accurately diagnosed.
Abdominal pain following an accident can indicate possible internal bleeding or organ damage. Internal bleeding is a very serious injury and can continue for hours or days without being detected. You might notice areas of deep bruising and experience dizziness, fainting spells, and swelling. Internal bleeding in your abdomen can be life-threatening, which is another reason you should see a doctor even if you are unsure of whether you have been injured in a motorcycle crash.
Motorcycle wrecks can also result in medical shock, which can be life-threatening if it isn’t treated. Seeking immediate medical care is critical for both your health and for establishing a record that you were injured in your collision. If you file a claim, your medical records might provide important evidence to support it.
Call Your Insurance Company
After your accident, notify your insurance company about your wreck. Most insurance companies include clauses in their insurance policies requiring their insureds to promptly report any accidents. This means that you are obligated to report your accident to your insurance company. By contrast, however, you are under no obligation to talk to the other motorist’s insurance company. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company contacts you, it is best for you to refrain from giving any statements without first consulting a motorcycle accident attorney.
Contact A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Following a motorcycle wreck, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. While the Pennsylvania statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims is two years, it is best to retain a lawyer as soon as possible after your collision. It takes time to properly investigate an accident and build a claim. If you wait until close to the expiration of the limitation period to hire a lawyer, it might be harder to find important witnesses and evidence. The attorneys at Raynes & Lawn are experienced personal injury lawyers and understand how to build strong cases for their clients. Call us today at 1-800-535-1797 to schedule your free consultation.
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