Do You Know What To Do After a Motorcycle Crash?
Perhaps you are a seasoned motorcycle rider. Maybe you ride every day, or every weekend. Even if you routinely operate a motorcycle, unfortunately, rides do not always go as planned. Of course, accidents happen when you least expect it, even to the most experienced motorcyclists. When an accident happens with a motorcycle the other driver may immediately blame the motorcyclist. But in two-thirds of motorcycle accidents involving multiple vehicles, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcyclist's right-of-way. And it was these violations that caused the accident to happen. You will want to call the police, even for a minor accident.
Although most people are honest, you do not want the other driver later denying that the accident ever occurred. A green sheet called an FR-10 will be used by the police to document the accident. These are important documents for your insurance company and your personal injury attorney. If you are not seriously injured, you should make sure you write down the names of the policemen that are present at your accident. Your lawyer may need to contact them later. Even if you feel as though you do not need to be taken to a hospital, you should still document the other driver's information. Dont rely on the police to get everything.
You need to get these items: Name Complete Address Phone Number Insurance Company Insurance Policy Number Driver License Number License Plate Number Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Name of Insured (if different from driver of the vehicle) Location of accident
In addition to this information, write down each vehicles make, model, color, and any damage that happened in the accident. Your cell phone can be a useful tool in order to take pictures of the accident and any damage that occurred. This includes the road, road conditions, any skid marks, road signs, construction, and anything else that may have contributed to the accident. A witness can be anyone who is at the scene of the accident, but not involved in it. If possible, get their names, phone numbers, and addresses, as they may be able to provide additional details of the accident to the police, insurance companies, and your lawyer. Once you are safe and away from the scene of the accident, notify your insurance company, especially if serious injuries or major property damage happened.
Even if you only have a few pieces of information from your accident, consider a free consultation with a personal injury attorney with expertise in traffic accidents in your area. Not every accident requires an attorney but a knowledgeable local attorney can help you make sense of the process, as well as insure that the other drivers insurance doesnt unfairly blame you for the accident. Remember, just because you ride a motorcycle and they dont doesnt mean you have fewer rights than they do.
About the Author
Shelly Leeke is a personal injury attorney and founder of the Shelly Leeke Law Firm in Charleston, South Carolina. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, visit the Shelly Leeke Law Firm Website at http://www.leekelaw.com/ for more information on accidents and FREE reports. <br />
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