What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Omaha Lawyers Protecting the Rights of the Injured
Being involved in a motorcycle accident is very frightening. Right after it happens, many people aren't sure what to do. Here are some tips from the motorcycle accident attorneys at Ausman Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O. that can help you protect your rights. We help those injured in motorcycle accidents get the compensation they deserve.
Call for help.
Call the police (or have someone else call). The police will investigate your accident and fill out a report. This report can contain valuable information for your case, such as whether the other driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Get medical attention.
Have an emergency medical professional examine you at the scene of the crash, even if you don’t think you were hurt. You could have internal injuries. Then, as soon as you are able, get a thorough medical exam from a doctor. A doctor has more time, training, and resources to uncover serious injuries like Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), neck damage, back injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, and dislocated joints. They will document the injuries you have for the insurance company, making it more difficult for an adjuster to deny your claim.
Gather contact information.
Ask other drivers, passengers, witnesses and pedestrians for their contact information. This includes their full name, address and phone number. For any cars that were involved, write down the make and model of the vehicle, license plate number, the name of the person the vehicle is registered to, and the name of their insurance company. Keep your conversations short. Don't talk about what happened or admit any responsibility.
Take accident photos.
Get some photos of the accident scene, if you are able. Take photos of the damage to your bike, damage to the other vehicle, license plate numbers, skid marks, and any street signs or traffic signals. Take some wider shots of the entire accident scene, as well.
Write everything down.
Write down what happened as soon as you can, while your memories of your accident are fresh. Or use your phone to record yourself talking about your account. Imagine you are describing the accident to a friend. Include details such as the time of day, weather conditions and road conditions.
Contact insurance company.
Tell your insurance company you were involved in an accident. Don't make any comments or answer any questions. Anything you say at this point can be used by the insurance company as a reason to deny or reduce your claim.
Get your accident report.
Nebraska motorcycle accidents that result in injuries or death are investigated by police. The incident will be summarized in an official crash report that details how the accident happened. The document is a major factor in determining accident fault. Therefore, it is important that you know what is in the report and that the information is correct.
Here’s how to get a copy of your accident report: first, locate the law enforcement agency that responded to your crash. Collect the necessary data to make a request, contact the department, and file the proper legal forms. If you have an attorney, they can get your crash report for you.
Contact our firm.
Insurance companies think motorcyclists are somehow to blame for accidents. They will do everything they can to reduce your claim. Our attorneys know the tactics insurance companies use. That's because they used to work for insurance companies.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our law firm for a free consultation. We can go over the details of your crash, explain your options and answer any questions you have. Call today. There's no obligation.