Motorcycle accidents appear to be on the rise in the United States. Over 5,000 motorcyclists lost their lives in 2015 compared to 4,548 in 2014. However, California was an exception to the rule. In California, motorcycle fatalities declined by seven percent.
Regardless of who is at fault in a motorcycle accident, it is important to follow a strict set of steps. Taking care of certain actions right after a crash will make the insurance claims process much simpler. It will also help you in the event you need to hire an attorney to take the other driver to court.
1. Call 911
Before doing anything else, you want to contact 911. You should have an ambulance come out to the scene to take any injured parties to the hospital. Even if no one seems that badly hurt, it is still a good idea to see a doctor just in case. Additionally, the police can come out to make an official report, which will carry a lot of weight in a courtroom.
2. Move out of the roadway
If both drivers are capable of doing so, then they should get out of the street. It is extremely dangerous to remain on an open roadway, so get off to the shoulder if you can. In the event you cannot move your vehicle, attempt to set up flares or hazard lights to alert other drivers of the situation.
3. Gather information
Once you and the other party are safe, you can exchange information. Swap insurance information and contact numbers. This is also a good opportunity to speak to any witnesses who saw the crash to see if they would testify in court.
4. Do not admit fault
You do not want to scream at the other driver. However, you also do not want to let the other person off the hook. You never want to admit fault or say you were partially to blame. This will impact your claim later. You also need to be especially careful of the statements you offer to the police.
