Were you involved in a crash and found yourself researching what steps to take after a motorcycle accident or what to expect after a motorcycle accident? The moments, days, and weeks following a serious motorcycle crash can go by in a blur of medical appointments, lost work days, and missed social gatherings. We put together this list of essential steps to take after a motorcycle accident to ease your worry, stress, and uncertainty.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in New York
It comes as no surprise that motorcycle accidents are some of the most serious motor vehicle accidents. If you are lucky enough to survive a crash, you will want to know what to do next. Remember, this is a quick reference guide, and the exact steps you could or should take may vary depending on the circumstances.
Below, we discuss five critical steps after a motorcycle accident in New York.
1. Get Necessary Medical Treatment
Call 911 and report the crash. Whether you need an ambulance or are able to have a friend or relative drive you, it is crucial to seek medical treatment. Consider going to an urgent care center if you are not actively bleeding or are able to walk. If you have lost consciousness or are concerned that you may have broken a bone or torn up your knee or shoulder, go to the Emergency Room. It is important to ensure that you do not have any internal injuries. When in doubt, go to the hospital. Often times the more likely scenario is that you will require immediate and extensive care. Motorcycle accident injuries may need a variety of diagnostic testing, care, and treatment, including:
- Emergency room workup,
- Primary care services,
- Surgery,
- Physical and occupational therapy,
- Orthopedic treatment,
- Pain Management procedures, and
- Pharmaceutical services.
Often, motorcycle accident victims will need multiple forms of medical treatment. Always follow your doctor’s orders and keep copies of all bills and records for later.
2. Document the Crash Scene
Take out your cell phone and start taking pictures and videos! It is important to document the collision site, including the location, road, and weather conditions. It is also a good idea to take photos with your phone of your bike, your injuries, the other vehicles involved, and anything else you may think is important. Have a friend or family member take photos and videos at the scene if you cannot.
If you are well enough after the crash, document what you can about the accident scene.
Other ways to document the scene include:
- Exchanging information with the other driver,
- Providing accurate information to the New York State Trooper or other police officer for the accident report,
- Obtaining eyewitness information, and
- Noting nearby traffic cam and video surveillance cameras on businesses or homes by the scene.
At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, we have the resources to assist you with gathering the necessary information even at a much later time.
3. Be Careful Speaking with Insurance Adjusters
At some point after the accident, sometimes even within hours, you will likely be asked to provide a statement to an insurance adjuster. Don’t rush to speak with them! Consult with one of our lawyers first.
Be careful what you say, especially if speaking with another party’s insurance company. They are not there to help you. While it is essential to remain factual and honest, you must be cautious with words that may imply fault. Insurance companies can be quick to blame the motorcycle rider. We encourage accident victims to consult with an attorney for guidance on the right direction.
4. Avoid Social Media
Just like you should be careful what you say to insurance adjusters, you should be cautious about what you post on your social media pages. It may seem harmless to update your page with what happened to you and to post pictures or videos of the damage or injuries, but it is anything but harmless. Consider that insurance companies and their lawyers are on the lookout for any information that you post anywhere on the internet, even if you have privacy settings activated on your social media sites. The defense will look to use this information against you later. Deleting any pictures, videos or information about the crash or your condition that you have posted on social media will only make matters worse for you. Don’t do it. You can be accused of destroying evidence!
The prudent course of action is to post nothing about the crash on any social media.
5. Consult a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The most important tip we can give you is to consult an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, you could face lifelong disabilities and obstacles. You should not have to suffer those consequences alone. A skilled and seasoned lawyer can help you seek justice and compensation for the harm you endured.
Get Help After a Motorcycle Accident. Contact Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers
At Greenspan & Greenspan, we have over 30 years of experience holding those responsible for motorcycle accidents accountable for their negligence. Contact us to get started on your free case evaluation today.
