Motorcycle Accident - Procedures

Involvement in an Illinois, Indiana or Ohio motorcycle accident is a frightening, confusing experience for anybody. However, there are some steps you need to take in order to get the information and documentation that best supports your case. This list of procedures is designed to ensure that you follow all of the steps necessary in the time surrounding your accident – at the scene, immediately following, and as time passes.

At the Scene of the Collision:

Take care of the basics
When you are involved in an Illinois or Indiana motorcycle accident, follow the same procedures that you would if you were involved in a regular auto accident, if you are able:

• Stop immediately: remain calm, and do not leave the scene of the motorcycle accident. If there are no injuries, move vehicles out of the flow of traffic.

• Check for injuries: do not assume that a lack of a visible injury means that a person is not hurt. In fact, it is highly likely that an accident involving a motorcycle will involve serious injuries.

• Call the police: a motorcycle accident should be reported to the proper authorities, and the report may be helpful later in determining fault and receiving your due compensation.

• Exchange information: write down the name, address, phone number, insurance information, etc. of the person(s) who were involved in the motorcycle accident.

Make observations
Identify the witnesses so there will be someone to support your case if it goes to court. Write down their names and addresses and interview them. Ask them what they saw and make a note of phrases they used like "slammed into," "plowed," "speeding," or "he ran the red light." Make note of the road, weather, and traffic conditions at the time of the motorcycle accident. Also, beware of insurance representatives at the scene of a motorcycle accident. It has been rumored that some insurance companies send adjusters to accident scenes in order to catch people off guard with incriminating questions or to have them sign away any rights they may have to future compensation.

Immediately After the Collision:

Call Your Insurance Company
Make sure that you call your insurance company immediately to report the motorcycle accident. Failing to immediately report the motorcycle accident could, in some instances, result in the insurance company not covering you for the motorcycle accident. You should contact the company immediately and make sure you ask them to start paying your bills. This action should open up a file to not only pay for property damage but also all of your medical bills if you are injured.

See a Doctor
Even if you are not sure whether or not you are injured in the motorcycle accident, it is best to be examined by your doctor at the earliest possible time, or to go to the nearest emergency room. If a doctor examines you, make sure that you are specific in explaining how the motorcycle accident happened and any and all injuries and problems you sustained as a result. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, schedule an appointment with your own doctor as soon as possible. Don’t let the insurance adjuster choose a doctor for you. You have the right to a doctor of your choice.

Take Pictures
Take pictures of your motorcycle as soon as possible after your accident. When the adjuster asks for proof of damage, it is difficult to dispute a picture taken of your motorcycle at the collision scene. Pictures of the damage will help you and your Illinois and Indiana motorcycle accident lawyer from Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin tell your story. If possible, take pictures of the other vehicles involved in the motorcycle accident as well. These pictures will help supply information about the severity of the impact associated with your motorcycle accident collision.

Take pictures of your injuries before they heal. In many cases, a client may have bruises and other less apparent injuries, but after several weeks, those bruises heal. Months later, when the insurance adjuster is arguing that the motorcycle accident was not very significant, pictures of your bruises and other injuries will help solidify your personal injury claim. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will have tangible, justifiable evidence to seek compensation for you.

Also take pictures of the motorcycle accident area. Take special note of where the accident began and ended, road conditions including construction, and the general layout of the accident scene.

As Time Passes:

Write Down Your Observations
Keep notes about your injuries. In 6 or 7 months, you might forget how it hurt just to get dressed, and the adjuster will try to make it seem like any description you give is an exaggeration. Write down your pain medications. These kinds of written documents can be very valuable to you and your motorcycle accident lawyer when presenting your personal injury claim to the insurance adjuster or to a judge and jury in court.

Keep Records of Expenses
The adjuster will ask for proof of anything you claim as an expense. Be sure you keep receipts for prescriptions, household services like lawn mowing and getting someone to cook for you, vehicle rentals and so forth. Keep each of those receipts so you can document every expense.

Most Importantly:

Consult an experienced personal injury motorcycle accident lawyer.
Without legal help from an injury law firm like Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin , you may have no idea of the real value of your claim. Moreover, the Insurance Research Council found that, on average, injured people who use a lawyer receive three and a half times more money than those who do not! (Source: Insurance Research Council 2004 study)

Free Consultation!

Have you or someone you care about been injured in a motorcycle accident?  Contact the Indiana, Illinois or Ohio motorcycle accident lawyers at the office of Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin.  Our office is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, but we have successfully advocated for clients throughout the area, including Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati in Ohio; Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend in Indiana; and Chicago, Decatur, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign in Illinois. Complete a Free Online Consultation Form or call us toll free at 1-800-618-4878 to contact us today.