What to do After a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycles rides can be exhilarating, but the results of a crash can be detrimental.  Motorcyclists are about 26% more likely to be involved in an accident than other drivers. Motorcycle accidents make up about 14% of auto accidents per year.  Our office would like to provide some guidance on the information that should be obtained after a motorcycle accident, provided that health allows you to do so in the moment.

Gather identifying information on the other vehicle(s) involved. Be sure to write down the license plate, make and model of the other driver’s vehicle. Insurance companies will need this information to process your claim. Taking pictures is the fastest and easiest way to gather and preserve this information.

After gathering information about the vehicle, speak to the driver(s) of the other vehicle(s), get the person’s first and last name, phone number, address, auto insurance company name and phone number as well as the policy number. Insurance companies will use this information to verify that the driver was covered under the policy, without this information it will be difficult to resolve your case.

Many times, drivers neglect to speak to any witnesses that are on the scene. Having witnesses available to provide information can sometimes make or break a case when there is a questions as to which vehicle was at fault for an incident. Gather the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of anyone who is on the scene and witnessed the accident. Give them your email address and ask them to email you a statement about the accident so that you can preserve evidence.

Accidents not only cause injuries to bodies but can also create a state of shock for the people involved after the initial adrenaline wears off. This can make details hard to remember when trying to recall them at a later time. to be sure that you have accurate information when speaking to insurance companies or attorneys, make notes for your self to remember the date and time of the accident, the street you were traveling on and the nearest cross street, and your statement of how the accident occurred. You will likely be asked to provide this information several times, therefore these notes will help you to maintain consistency.

Although a police officer may come to the scene and take a report, you should still gather this information. Police reports can take several days to complete and you will want to start your communications with insurance companies, medical providers and attorneys as soon as possible. Occasionally the police reports come back with errors and will need to be corrected; having detailed notes and witnesses can help make the revision process faster and easier. The more information you can collect the better.

If you are in need on a personal injury attorney, please call our office anytime 24/7 to schedule a free consultation. David Kohm and Associates has handled thousands of auto accident cases, including motorcycle accidents, and have the specific knowledge to assist you in your personal injury claim. We are prepared to take on the difficult cases and fight for our clients to get them the recovery they deserve.