What Should I Do if I Was Hit by a Motorcycle?

What Should I Do if I Was Hit by a Motorcycle?

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What Should I Do if I Was Hit by a Motorcycle?

All motor vehicle collisions are dangerous. But those involving motorcycles are especially hazardous. 

When you or someone you love has been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is normal to feel overwhelmed and emotional. In the moments after a collision, most people are unsure about what actions to take. You may find yourself searching online for “What to do if I was hit by a motorcycle.” 

When you have questions, Morgan & Morgan has answers. Below, we will discuss some of the most important steps to take in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. 

If you have been hit by a motorcycle, the severity of the crash will depend on whether you were in a vehicle. When a motorcycle hits your car or truck, you might only experience minor injuries. 

However, if you are hit by a motorcycle while walking, the likelihood of severe injury is high. No matter the circumstances of your collision, you will probably think, “I need to know what to do if I was hit by a motorcycle.”  

In the aftermath of a crash, it is vital to contact a reputable personal injury firm. The skilled legal professionals at Morgan & Morgan have decades of experience representing the victims of motorcycle accidents. 

If you are harmed because of another person’s negligence, we will fight to recover the financial compensation that you are rightfully due. To schedule a free consultation, fill out the contact form on our website today.

What to Do if I Was Hit by a Motorcycle

Motorcycles are much smaller and lighter than standard passenger vehicles. Because of this, collisions between motorcycles and cars typically put the motorcyclist in more danger than the other driver. 

However, drivers of passenger vehicles can still suffer catastrophic injuries in some cases. For instance, being hit by a motorcycle may result in whiplash or other spinal injuries. It could also cause your car to veer off the road, resulting in severe injuries and damage to your vehicle.

Still, pedestrians who are hit by motorcycles are at a much higher risk for severe injuries or death. If you frequently walk near roadways that see a lot of motorcycle traffic, you may find yourself thinking, “I need to know what to do if I was hit by a motorcycle.” 

In the moments following your accident, make sure to take the following steps as soon as you can:

Check for Injuries

Your safety and the safety of those around you should be your first priority. Check yourself and others for the presence of injuries as soon as the accident takes place. 

If you are severely injured, do not try to move. It is important to remain still and wait for medical professionals. 

If another person is injured, contact the authorities immediately. Call 911 and ask them to dispatch medical responders. Wait at the scene until help arrives.

Remain at the Scene

This tip should be obvious: You should never leave the scene of a motorcycle accident until law enforcement officials have arrived at the scene. 

In many cases, fleeing the scene of an accident is considered to be a crime. This can result in severe legal penalties — including significant fines.

Contact Law Enforcement

Once you have attended to any immediate injuries or medical needs, contact the police. The local police department will dispatch officers to draft a report of the accident. 

A police report will typically contain the following information about your motorcycle accident: 

  • Time and date of the crash
  • Location of the accident
  • Current weather conditions
  • Roadway conditions
  • A detailed description of vehicular damage
  • Statements from those involved

A police accident report can be critical in your effort to recover financial compensation after a motorcycle collision. When you think, “I need to know what to do if I was hit by a motorcycle,” make sure to understand the importance of a police accident report. 

An attorney can use the police records of your motorcycle accident to build a powerful case in your favor. Make sure that you collect the reporting officers’ names and badge numbers. If your lawyer needs additional information from the police, this information will be critical.

Document the Accident

In the moments immediately following the accident, you should collect all of the information possible about your motorcycle collision. As time passes, it becomes more difficult to gather relevant evidence for your motorcycle accident case. 

You should collect the following types of evidence and information if you have been hit by a motorcycle: 

  • Names and contact information of those involved
  • Statements from any witnesses
  • License plates, addresses, and phone numbers
  • Insurance information for other drivers
  • Photos of any injuries
  • Photos of any vehicular or property damage
  • Makes and models of all vehicles involved 

It is also imperative to take notes about your own experience in the minutes after the crash. In the days that follow, it will become harder to accurately remember what happened. 

Your attorney will use this valuable evidence to fight for financial compensation on your behalf. The more information you can gather in the moments after the crash, the better.

Keep Conversations to a Minimum

It may be tempting to speak with the other drivers after a collision. However, you should try to keep conversations brief and polite. 

Oftentimes, emotions run high after a motor vehicle collision. Even if the other drivers seem angry or heated, do not respond emotionally. 

Be polite and collect the necessary information from those involved. You should never discuss the crash at length with the other drivers. 

When the police arrive, provide them with brief and factual statements for the accident report. Never speculate about who is to blame for the collision. 

Even if you believe that you caused the accident, you may be wrong. Accepting fault for the crash will make it difficult to recover the financial compensation that you are due.

Alert Your Insurance Company

You should make your insurance company aware that you were involved in a crash. Provide your information to the insurance adjuster in a factual manner. 

As with other conversations, you should never admit fault to your insurance agent. Still, contacting your insurer in the aftermath of a crash can help to secure a positive outcome in your motorcycle accident case.

Contact a Knowledgeable Motorcycle Accident Attorney

As soon as you have reported the accident to your insurance company, call a lawyer. It is critical to find a legal expert with plenty of experience representing those who have been hit by a motorcycle. 

When you contact a reputable tort law firm, you may say, “I need to know what to do if I was hit by a motorcycle.” An experienced attorney will walk you through every step in the legal process. 

Make sure to hire a law firm with a long track record of successfully representing motorcycle accident victims. A skilled attorney will build a strong case for you and pursue financial compensation for all of your losses.

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FAQ

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Morgan & Morgan

  • What Types of Compensation Can I Claim if I Was Hit by a Motorcycle?

    Like other types of personal injury and accident claims, motorcycle collision cases usually involve two categories of compensation. These are called “economic” and “non-economic” damages.  

    A knowledgeable legal specialist will carefully review the facts of your motorcycle accident case to determine the value of your claim. You should never settle for less than you are owed. This is especially true when another person’s negligence has resulted in harm to you.

    Economic Damages

    The payments for direct monetary losses in civil tort cases are known as “economic” damages. Some of the most common examples of these damages include compensatory payments for: 

    • Past and current medical expenses
    • Anticipated future medical care costs
    • Prescription drug costs
    • Medical travel, including ambulance rides
    • Hospital bills
    • Property destruction and vehicular damage
    • Lost income and wages due to missed work
    • Decreased long-term ability to earn income
    • Any other monetary losses 

    When you ask yourself, “I wonder what to do if I was hit by a motorcycle,” contact an attorney to calculate the damages in your case.

    Non-Economic Damages

    Other negative outcomes from automobile collisions do not result in financial losses. Some of the most devastating outcomes from motorcycle accidents are not monetary in nature. 

    Still, victims deserve compensation for these intangible harms. Payments meant to cover this type of loss are known as “non-economic” damages. Some of the most common examples include: 

    • Pain and suffering
    • Emotional distress and anguish
    • Depression and anxiety
    • Disability and disfigurement
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Loss of ability to enjoy recreational activities
    • Loss of mobility

    Most victims underestimate the value of non-economic damages in their accident claims. A knowledgeable legal expert will help you understand the value of your motorcycle collision case.

  • What Are Contingency Fees and How Are They Relevant?

    Most trustworthy personal injury attorneys are compensated through “contingency” fees. With this approach to attorneys’ fees, clients do not pay any money upfront.

    Instead, the client and lawyer agree to a specific percentage of the recovery from the motorcycle accident claim. When the litigator successfully wins or settles the case, that amount is used to cover the cost of the attorney’s fees. 

    When you hire one of the compassionate lawyers at Morgan & Morgan, you will not pay a single penny unless we recover money for you. If you do not win, you do not pay.

  • What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

    Every traffic collision involves many unique factors. Still, many motorcycle accidents have similar causes. 

    Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents and injuries include: 

    • Lane splitting
    • Sudden stops
    • Speeding
    • Driving under the influence
    • Reckless lane changes
    • Distracted driving
    • Driving while fatigued 

    No matter what factors led to your motorcycle collision, it is crucial to secure representation from a skilled personal injury lawyer. The team at Morgan & Morgan will fight diligently to provide evidence that your accident was the result of negligence.

  • Morgan & Morgan Will Fight for You

    When you have been hit by a motorcycle, you deserve to pursue financial recovery. It is important to ensure that negligent motorcyclists are held accountable for the harm that they cause. 

    Since the founding of our firm, the team at Morgan & Morgan has recovered over $20 billion dollars in compensation for our clients. Do not settle for less than the best legal representation. 

    For a free no-obligation case evaluation, fill out the simple contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website as soon as possible.

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