Motorcycle crashes can lead to catastrophic injuries and massive insurance claims. Given that the motorcycle itself doesn’t provide much protection, those hurt in such crashes often need immediate medical attention or suffer far worse consequences than the people in the bigger vehicle involved.
Often, a collision will mean injuries to the driver of the motorcycle and damage to the bike. After a crash where you are not so severely hurt that you need to seek immediate emergency care, there are certain steps that can help protect your physical health and your financial stability.
Start documenting the situation immediately
Hopefully, your mobile phone won’t have suffered catastrophic damage in the crash. Ideally, you can use it to start taking pictures and recording video immediately after the collision. Careful documentation will preserve the scene of the collision, especially if you need to move your bike or the other vehicle out of traffic.
Documenting the condition of your bike, the condition of the other vehicle, and any visible injuries to you or a passenger on your bike as well as the position of the vehicle before you move it can help show what led to the crash.
Reach out for assistance transporting your bike and yourself
Once you’ve crashed on your bike, you shouldn’t get back on it until someone has checked it for functionality and damage. You may need to call a specialized tow service to transport your motorcycle to a shop. You will also likely need to either arrange for someone you know to pick you up or for a rideshare service.
Stay calm, and get ready to advocate for yourself
The officer responding to the crash may have an internal bias against motorcycles. You will want to keep yourself as calm and reasonable as possible, but be sure to let the officer know exactly what happened when the other driver smashed into you.
Use firm language to drive home your assertion that you did not cause the crash. Staying calm and asserting that you did not cause the crash could help overcome an internal bias and lead to a more accurate investigation.
Don’t skip the medical exam
Maybe you think all you have is a little bit of road rash, or perhaps you think that your helmet absorbed the brunt of the collision. It’s important to remember that your body sometimes hides the signs of serious injuries right after a crash. It will almost always be in your best interest to see a doctor shortly after a motorcycle crash.
Sometimes you won’t have the opportunity to take those exact steps, such as if you lose consciousness of the crash and wake up at the hospital. The more serious the property damage and injuries you suffered, the more caution you will want to use when dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle crash.