Top Things You Should Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident in South Carolina
A motorcycle accident can leave you with many different injuries that must be attended to immediately. However, if you don’t take the proper steps right after the accident, you could be putting yourself in a more dangerous position. This article covers what accidents of this nature are and what you should do after one occurs to make sure your physical condition is better in the long run.
Were You Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident?
When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, many things can occur simultaneously. However, if you are hurt in the slightest in the crash and feel like your life is in danger, call 911 immediately to send the proper authorities to the scene. Even if you don’t feel like your life is in any danger, you should visit the nearest hospital so that your wounds can be attended to.
6 Things You Should Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident
As we said, motorcycle crashes happen very fast, and you will most likely be confused and in pain. However, it is best to keep a clear head as much as possible and follow these steps. The working theory is that you respect all South Carolina’s motorcycle-specific laws before and during riding your bike. Your attorney will cover the matters of liability, fault, and recovery. But, first things first:
1. Go to safety
You should ensure that you are out of harm’s way before attending to your needs. People are not always paying attention when on the road and might not see you until too late. It would be best to leave your bike where the accident occurred unless it is unsafe to do so or a police officer instructs you to move it. In a minor accident with no victims, it is best to pull to the side of the road and wait for the police and first responders to arrive at the scene.
2. Do not remove your protective gears
You shouldn’t remove your helmet and other protective gear until it is safe to do so since there is a chance that something can happen, and you would need those gears to save your life. If the accident happened at night, it is best to keep your protective apparel on to avoid further damage from other vehicles that might see you too late.
3. Contact the police and file a police report
At some point, the police will show up at your crash scene and ask you questions. Providing them with information about what happened is crucial to the case against the other driver or drivers that might be at fault for the accident.
4. Seek medical assistance
After a motorcycle accident, scars, bruises, and broken bones are common injuries. You should make sure that you go to the doctor immediately and make yourself as comfortable as possible. If an ambulance does not take you immediately to the nearest hospital, you should go to the ER as soon as possible. Full documentation of your injuries and state of health will serve as proof in an accident claim or lawsuit.
5. Gather evidence
It might take a while for you to gather all the evidence regarding your crash. Once an investigation begins, it will be best to collect information. Everything, from motorcycle scratches to witnesses’ contact information, will help you build a claim or a lawsuit. Make sure you take as many photos as you can. If your phone broke because of the crash, ask witnesses to take photos and grant you and your attorney access to them. The police will most likely take pictures and request witnesses’ photos.
6. Call a lawyer and your insurance company
If you are in the hospital or your doctor’s office, you should call your lawyer and your insurance company to let them know about your situation. First, call your attorney. Talk to our Anderson SC motorcycle accident lawyers about your case, and they will help you when you are involved in a motorcycle accident. It includes helping you get medical assistance, file a police report, and get compensation after the accident. Your attorneys will fight for your rights on your behalf to make sure you receive the proper compensation for your injuries and other material or non-economic losses. It takes hard work to get compensation after a motorcycle accident, but this is something your lawyers do every day.
When it comes to your insurance company, it is best to say nothing. Do not even apologize for the incident. As you know, South Carolina uses the modified comparative fault rule, which reduces your damages by the percentage of your fault in the incident. Moreover, if you are more than 50% at fault for the accident, you might not receive any damages. In other words, let your attorney handle the case and begin negotiations with insurers, the other party’s lawyers, etc.
Conclusion
Motorcycle accidents can cause significant problems in the long term, so you should take the proper measures. Whether you have injured yourself or an immediate family member, getting information on how to start planning for this type of case is essential. You should know that even though a motorcycle accident is always a painful situation, you can help it with the proper knowledge of what to do after it. Have a local attorney review your case, establish liability, and help you file a motorcycle accident claim or a lawsuit, so you get the best chances of compensation and recovery.Â
About the author:
With a BA in communications and paralegal experience, Irma Dengler decided to make the best of her writing skills. She decided to turn complicated legal matters into something more palatable for the masses. Therefore, Irma became a law communicator who writes about everyday problems so everyone can understand them and take the appropriate action. She specialized in personal injury cases, as they are more common than anyone thinks, but her areas of expertise also include civil law, criminal law, insurance-related issues, and more.
