A motorcycle accident can leave you shaken, injured, and uncertain about what comes next. In those crucial moments after a crash, the decisions you make can significantly impact your physical recovery and your ability to seek compensation. Here’s what you need to do immediately following a motorcycle accident.
Ensure Safety and Call Emergency Services
Your first priority after any motorcycle accident is safety—yours and everyone else’s. If you are able to move and it is safe to do so, get yourself out of traffic to prevent further collisions. Turn on your hazard lights and, if possible, set up flares or warning triangles to alert other drivers. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries, but avoid moving anyone who appears seriously hurt unless there is an immediate danger like fire.
Call 911 right away. Police will document the scene and create an official report, which becomes evidence for insurance claims and potential legal action. Emergency medical responders can also assess injuries and transport anyone who needs critical care to the emergency room.
Document the Accident Scene and Gather Evidence
If you can, start gathering evidence while details are fresh. Use your phone to take photographs from multiple angles, capturing vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Get shots of the overall scene that show the positions of all vehicles involved.
Exchange information with other drivers, including names, contact details, insurance information, and license plate numbers. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as well—their independent accounts can be invaluable later.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
Seek Legal Help From a Kansas City Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor immediately after a motorcycle accident. Adrenaline masks pain and symptoms that may not surface for hours or even days. Conditions like internal bleeding, concussions, and soft tissue injuries often have delayed onset, and waiting to seek treatment can worsen these conditions and complicate your recovery.
Medical records also establish a direct link between the accident and your injuries, which is essential for any insurance claim or lawsuit. Gaps in treatment can be used against you by insurance companies, who may argue your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident.
Preserve Physical Evidence and Keep Detailed Records
Don’t repair or dispose of your damaged motorcycle, helmet, or riding gear until you have consulted with an attorney. These items serve as physical evidence of the crash’s severity and the forces involved. Store everything in a safe place and photograph the damage thoroughly.
Keep meticulous records of everything related to the accident: medical bills, prescription receipts, repair estimates, correspondence with insurance companies, and documentation of missed work. Create a journal tracking your pain levels and how the injuries affect your daily life.
Consult with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Kansas City
After taking these critical actions, the next step is connecting with an attorney. A Kansas City motorcycle accident lawyer can navigate complex insurance negotiations, identify all potential sources of compensation, and build a compelling case on your behalf. Attempting to handle everything alone often results in undervalued settlements or procedural mistakes that can eliminate your right to fair compensation entirely.
Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe begins working immediately to protect your right to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain you’ve endured. We have spent decades fighting for the rights of motorcyclists, and we will advocate aggressively for you. Contact us at (816) 876-2600 to schedule a free consultation today.