Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident in Washington, DC can feel overwhelming, especially when injuries, medical bills, and insurance questions start piling up at once, This is why Regan Zambri Long’s motorcycle accident lawyers help riders make informed decisions from the very first day after a crash.
For four decades, our team has focused on building cases the right way, working closely with accident reconstruction specialists, medical providers, and financial experts to show how a collision affects a rider’s health, income, and long-term stability. Best Lawyers has consistently recognized us among the Best Law Firms in America, and our attorneys as Washington, DC’s Lawyer of the Year on multiple occasions. That reputation is backed by over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts secured for injured clients, along with more than 100 5 star Google reviews reflecting the trust families place in our work.
Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident and are unsure what steps to take next? Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will personally get in touch for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7, and we front all case costs, so you won’t pay unless we win your case.
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In the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle crash, it’s hard to know what you should and shouldn’t do. The following four 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, 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 6,300 motorcyclists died in 2023 , with over 82,500 injuries, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcyclists accounted for 15% of traffic fatalities in 2023, despite making up only about 3% 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.
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More serious injuries can include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. A recent study on injury patterns in motorcycle crashes across the United States found that among injured riders, 17.3% suffered some form of TBI, 21.8% sustained spinal injuries, and 33.9% experienced lower extremity fractures.
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The same research reported rib fractures in 30.6% of cases, facial fractures in 13.6%, skull fractures in 9.7%, and collarbone fractures in 12.6%, showing how often riders suffer multiple serious injuries in a single crash. 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.
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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.
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Negligence is at the root of most motorcycle accidents. The National Safety Council reports that 56.48% of motorcycle accidents in 2023 involved another vehicle, and a further 7.55% involved three or more vehicles. And while motorcyclists can also be negligent, other motorists on the road have a duty to carefully watch for motorcyclists.
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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.
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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.
We know that most motorcycle accidents are devastating and preventable.
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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.
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The lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have almost 200 years of cumulative experience in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. We are honored and respected among peers and clients alike, with four partners having served as President of the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association, and two as President of the DC chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Our team has repeatedly being named to Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers’ Washington, DC Metro lists, and Lawdragon has included all six of our partners on their list of the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America.
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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 also recovered $1.2 million for another motorcyclist who was seriously injured when she was thrown from her motorcycle due to dangerous construction conditions.
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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.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.