Steps to Take After Experiencing a Motorcycle Accident

No motorcyclist likes to think that an accident might be waiting around the next bend of their ride through Floresville, but if it does, there’s no instruction manual given to the victims. Injuries from motorcycle collisions tend to be more probable and severe than those faced by other drivers, and in the immediate wake of an accident, a cool head and clear decision-making can save lives.

For the sake of being prepared, every rider should know what steps to take after experiencing a motorcycle accident. You can start long before taking any other step by making sure your bike is rigged with an adequate first-aid kit stocked with fresh supplies, Another preemptive move is to know whom to call if you need legal help for your Floresville motorcycle accident. Lawyers not only defend claims in jeopardy, they also provide support through many of the steps ahead.

1. Stay calm. Assess the situation. Ensure your own safety first by immediately getting yourself out of the road and to safety. If possible, move your bike onto the shoulder or otherwise out of oncoming traffic.
2. Put on your emergency flashers, then check on others involved in the accident and render aid if necessary. If anyone has been injured, call the Floresville police and request emergency medical services.
3. Once everyone is safe or receiving proper attention, exchange names, contact information, and insurance policy information with all drivers involved in the collision.
4. If any witnesses are present, ask for their contact information and request that they write down their account of the accident at first convenience. If your version of events ever becomes contested, their testimony can back it up.
5. Don’t discuss details of the accident with anyone involved except what is minimally necessary, and never attempt to assess the cause or assign blame – anything you say can be used as testimony to discredit your claim. Even an innocent “I’m sorry” can be used against you as admission of fault.
6. The next step after experiencing a motorcycle accident is to take pictures of the accident scene from as many angles as possible, as well as of all visible damage to your motorcycle. If you are physically unable to do this, have a friend or family member do it for you as soon as possible; if they can arrive before the accident is cleared, all the better.
7. At the earliest opportunity, write down every detail of the accident while you can still clearly recall them. Include as much as possible of the following:
   • date and time(s),
   • road and weather conditions,
   • where the accident started and ended,
   • a description of the accident scene and final vehicle positions,
   • descriptions of damages to your motorcycle and others’ vehicles,
   • names of all drivers and witnesses involved,
   • physical appearances and mental states of other drivers,
   • responding officer’s name and badge number,
   • and any other important details.
8. If Floresville police were not called to the scene, make sure the accident is reported to authorities and request a copy. Report the accident to your insurance provider as well, but wait until all investigations and medical examinations are concluded before formally giving a statement. If you are considering hiring a Floresville motorcycle accident attorney, doing so first to handle any communication insurance company is the best move of all.
9. A motorcycle accident attorney can be the greatest asset to a victim’s chances for complete reimbursement. Aside from handling the entire claims process, phone calls, and paperwork, an attorney will also make sure your claim isn’t missing important damages that might otherwise be overlooked, and if your claim is contested, they know where to find the right accident reconstruction specialists and expert witnesses in Floresville to turn the tables on insurance company.

The personal injury and accident attorneys of Carabin Shaw have been helping victims of negligence in Texas for over 22 years, and when it comes to driver liability in motorcycle accidents, you can be sure it’s not our first rodeo. We know that when a motorcyclist is involved, other drivers are quick to smell blood in the water and heap the blame on the “risky ruffian” or “daredevil”.

As a responsible driver, you have every right to the road as anyone else, and 9 times out of 10, the fault in motorcycle collisions belongs to drivers of passenger vehicles who weren’t paying attention. You don’t have to put up with that treatment – so don’t. Call the law offices of Carabin Shaw 24 hours a day, and we’ll get to work on your case immediately. The first consultation is free, and you don’t pay unless we win; nothing comes directly out of your own pocket… that’s the at-fault driver’s job.

Why wait any longer? The sooner you call, the sooner you have one less thing to worry about. Take the next steps after experiencing a motorcycle accident by contacting Carabin Shaw in Floresville at 830.393.8822 today.