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Motorcycle accidents can range from minor to catastrophic or fatal. And while no one wants to think about what to do after a motorcycle accident, motorcyclists and their loved ones will need to take quick action in the event of a motorcycle crash. When the crash is caused by negligence, you or your loved one are entitled to compensation and the lawyers at Regan Zambri Long PLLC will walk with you every step of the way until we’ve won a recovery in your favor.
In the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle crash, it’s hard to know what you should and shouldn’t do. The following 4 things will help you navigate the first moments and hours after an accident.
1. Get to safety and seek medical attention: you should move away from the flow of traffic and alert the appropriate emergency responders. Even if you don’t think you have serious injuries, you should still get medically cleared. Some injuries may take time to show themselves, and you are still entitled to compensation for them. You should wait for emergency personnel to arrive and help you out of your helmet and any other protective clothing, in case removal exposes further injury.
2. Gather details: if you are able, you should gather as much information as you can. Speak to eyewitnesses, take photos, and get a copy of the police report. These documents will help you establish who was negligent so that you can claim the compensation you are owed.
3. Be careful with your words: you should never lie about what happened in an accident, but you need to be careful with what you say. Don’t take responsibility for the accident; if an investigation reveals that it was not your fault, taking responsibility might hinder your ability to claim compensation. Don’t discuss your injuries in detail, instead say you need a medical professional to diagnose you. Where possible, refrain from speaking without your lawyer. You are not required to provide statements to the other party’s insurance or attorney without your representation present.
4. Consult with an experienced attorney: even if the details of your accident seem straightforward, it’s usually in your best interest to have an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in your corner. It’s especially important in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland, where contributory negligence laws prevent anyone responsible for the accident from claiming compensation.
Motorcycle accident injuries can range from scrapes and rashes to crushed and broken bones. Catastrophic motorcycle accidents can leave victims with lifelong disabilities. Other times, these accidents result in fatalities. More than 5,000 motorcyclists died in 2019 and the National Safety Council reports that motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of traffic fatalities in 2020, despite making up only about 3 percent of all registered vehicles.
A motorcycle provides less protection than other motor vehicles, so crashes usually result in more injuries. Minor motorcycle accident injuries include road rash, cuts and scrapes, bruises, whiplash, and concussions. More serious injuries can include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. You should expect several visits for medical care, as your doctor will need to make sure you don’t have any delayed or internal injuries from your accident. Though the cost may seem overwhelming at first, this medical attention is in your best interest and if your accident was caused by negligence, you can receive compensation to cover the bills.
Pursuing compensation for your medical care, pain, suffering, and material damages will require proving that the responsible party was negligent. Negligence is at the root of most motorcycle accidents. The National Safety Council reports that more than half of motorcycle accidents were multi-vehicle accidents. And while motorcyclists can also be negligent, other motorists on the road have a duty to carefully watch for motorcyclists.
Compensation may be available even if your motorcycle accident didn’t involve another driver. Poorly maintained roads, debris, obstructions, or lack of warning or road signs can constitute negligence. If your accident was caused by any of these situations, you are still entitled to compensation for your damages.
The general process for claiming compensation for a motorcycle accident hinges on the idea of negligence—that the person who caused the accident had a duty to act a certain way, that they failed to act in that way, the failure caused the accident, and the accident caused injury or damage to someone else. The following steps outline how you can go about claiming compensation from the liable party or parties.
We know that most motorcycle accidents are devastating and preventable. If you or your loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, the liable party must be held accountable. And though it can’t restore what is lost, you are entitled to compensation so that you can begin to regain a semblance of normalcy in your life.
The lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have decades of cumulative experience in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. We are honored and respected among peers and clients alike, with our team repeatedly being named to Best Lawyers and Superior Lawyers’ Washington, DC Metro list. These accolades are reflected in the millions of dollars we have recovered for our personal injury clients. We recovered $1.6 million for a motorcyclist who suffered a traumatic amputation after being struck by another vehicle. We recovered $1.2 million for another motorcyclist who was seriously injured when she was thrown from her motorcycle due to dangerous construction conditions. We accomplished all these things because we can advise you exactly what to do after a motorcycle accident and how to file your claim successfully.
Justice is possible for your motorcycle accident and Regan Zambri Long is committed to fighting for it on your behalf. You can schedule a free case evaluation by calling 202-960-4596.
