“Your Local Injury Lawyers Since 1985”

Blog

White helmet and motorcycle on road

Steps to Take If You’re a Motorcyclist Injured in an Accident

By: Fred Moore | Apr 30, 2024

After a motorcycle accident, you may be confused, in shock, and uncertain about what to do next. Injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can have costly long-term consequences, so it’s important to take steps to protect your rights. The motorcycle accident injury attorneys at Moore Law Firm have provided countless people in the Mobile, Alabama, area with legal help after motorcycle accident injuries. Here, we explain what to do if you are injured and how we can help you pursue maximum compensation for your damages after a crash.

Dial 911

If you’re able, call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. Check to see if anyone else is injured and give first aid if possible. Even if you think your injuries are minor, many symptoms of more serious conditions like internal bleeding may not appear immediately. Not only does going to the emergency room ensure you get the care you need, but an attorney will also need your medical records to document your injuries should you decide to file a claim. In addition, a police report can provide vital evidence that shows how a crash occurred and who was at fault.

Get Out of The Road

If the location of your bike is unsafe, move it to the side of the road. If your motorcycle does not pose a hazard to you or others, leave it where it is and wait in a safe area at the scene until the police arrive.

Collect Information and Evidence

Get contact and insurance information from everyone involved in the accident, including driver’s license information and the make, model, and license plate numbers of all vehicles. Ask any witnesses for their statements and contact information. Take pictures of the scene, including damage to your motorcycle and other vehicles. Include photos of your injuries, signs, traffic signals, road conditions, and anything else that might be relevant to the accident. If you can, use your phone’s voice recorder or jot down notes about how the accident happened while it’s fresh in your mind. Obtain a copy of the police report if it’s available at the scene.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance company and give a factual account of what occurred. Answer questions honestly, but don’t admit fault in any way. Unfortunately, even your own insurance company is not always on your side. Insurers often try to offer an inadequate amount of compensation or deny claims altogether, which can leave you stuck with costly accident-related expenses down the road.

If another motorist’s insurer contacts you, do not give a statement or sign anything without speaking to a motorcycle accident injury lawyer first. Seemingly innocent statements can be twisted to assign blame to you for causing the accident. Your motorcycle accident attorney can handle all communications and negotiations with insurance adjusters throughout the process.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney

It’s important to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can after a crash. If you’re seriously injured, have a loved one reach out to an attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand your rights and options.

Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accident cases require extensive investigation. Without a lawyer, you may not have the knowledge or resources necessary to gather relevant evidence and put it all together to prove negligence. These cases are complex, Motorcycle accident injury attorneys often call on expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists and medical professionals, to show how a collision occurred and demonstrate the extent of your injuries.

If a defect in your motorcycle caused you to crash, the designer, manufacturer, or distributor of your bike could be liable for damages. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue all possible sources of compensation and fight to hold all negligent parties accountable. Hiring an attorney with a track record of success in winning motorcycle injury claims can give you the best chance of recovering the maximum compensation you need and deserve to move on with your life.

Recovering Damages After a Motorcycle Accident

It can be easy to underestimate the physical, emotional, and financial costs of motorcycle accident injuries. Due to the lack of protection surrounding them, motorcyclists may suffer catastrophic injuries such as amputation, compound fractures, traumatic brain injury, and neck or spinal cord injuries that require lifelong medical treatment. In addition, the impact these injuries can have on a victim’s quality of life can be significant. A motorcycle accident injury lawyer knows how to accurately value your claim and help you pursue maximum compensation for damages. They may be able to help you recover compensation for damages such as:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Past and future wage loss
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of companionship or consortium
  • Disfigurement

Staying Safe on Your Bike

Motorcyclists face unique risks and challenges. Always do a safety check before riding your bike, wear proper protective gear, and make yourself as visible as possible. Stay aware of potential dangers and avoid speeding, lane splitting, and operating your motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Taking proactive measures and being cognizant of your surroundings can help you and others stay safer on the road.

Schedule a Consultation With a Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyer in Mobile, AL

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle crash, the compassionate team at Moore Law Firm can help. Over the past 40 years, we’ve served more than 15,000 personal injury victims in Mobile, Alabama, and the surrounding areas. To schedule a free case evaluation with a motorcycle accident injury attorney, contact us, call our office at 251-445-7602, or use the convenient chat feature on our website.