Did you know that motorcycle riders are twenty-nine times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in road accidents, than car drivers or passengers?
This shouldn’t be surprising given that motorcycles offer no outward protection to their passengers. However, it is definitely a scary thought.
What do you do if you do have the misfortune of getting into a motorcycle accident? What if it was your fault? What if it wasn’t?
We aim to answer your questions by outlining the general protocol for what you should do after an accident.
Let’s get straight to it!
1. Get Immediate Medical Attention
If there is any sign of injury call an ambulance immediately. It is important that everyone involved seeks gets medical assistance at the nearest hospital and as soon as possible.
If you are unable to make the call yourself, do seek out help from a passerby or anyone around you. Remove yourself and others from the road, and find a place for yourselves to wait while the ambulance makes its way towards you.
2. First Aid First
No matter who is at fault, we urge you to try and focus on getting yourself and the people around you to safety. It’s easy to get caught up in a fight over who hit whom but do keep in mind that attending to injuries should be the priority.
Now, after it happens, if you are wearing protective gear like a helmet, do wait for the paramedics to take it off.
Most motor vehicles come with their own first aid kits. While you are waiting for an ambulance, you can use your first aid kits to attend to anyone that requires it.
However, do make sure that you are okay before you look to assisting someone else.
3. Collect Contact Information and Evidence
Talk to the people around you to get their perspective on what happened. It’s also a good idea to collect contact information in case you need a witness in court, later on.
Take photographs and videos of the accident scene and record license plate information to make sure you have a clear picture of the situation. You can also talk to the other driver and passengers about insurance, damages, and more.
While it is natural for these conversations to get heated, it is important to try and stay as civil, but also as firm as possible.
4. Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Finally, if you feel like this will go to court, you must talk to a bike accident lawyer who specializes in road accident laws.
They will help you determine how to put up a defense (if you’re at fault), or file a claim for compensation given the circumstances of your case.
Staying Safe on the Road
Motorcycle accidents are, unfortunately, far too common, but we can do our part to make them a little less frequent. Following traffic rules, regularly maintaining your motorcycle, wearing the right protective gear and responsible riding are a few things all of us can do to make the roads a safer place.
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