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Tips for reacting after a motorcycle accident in a way that supports your ability to seek compensation.

What to Do After a Motorcycle AccidentAvid motorcyclists have a saying: “every rider goes down at least once.” If you are lucky, your turn to go down will happen at a leisurely 25 mph and leave you with a few bumps, bruises, and abrasions. But if you are not so lucky, you could easily end up suffering more severe injuries in a motorcycle accident.

Common motorcycle accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries (only 60 percent of riders wear DOT compliant helmets!), back and neck injuries, broken bones, and extensive abrasion injuries. Any of these injuries have the potential to cause serious hardship including missed work, as well as pain and suffering.

If the accident was not your fault, you will definitely want to seek compensation. Here are the steps you should take after your motorcycle accident to help make sure your case for compensation is as strong as possible.

Call 911. If you or anyone else has suffered serious injuries, it is highly advisable to call 911 for emergency medical attention. If you do not feel you need emergency medical care, that is your choice. However, you need to be sure to visit the doctor promptly. Even if you feel reasonably okay after the accident, you may still be injured and it is important to get checked out. Your doctor visit will help document your injuries and link them to the accident, which will be critical for later efforts to seek compensation.

Call the Police. Having a police report on file regarding the accident can be very helpful to your case. Always call the police, especially if there was a serious injury. The police may decline to come take a report, in which case you should go down to the station and file one at the earliest possible opportunity.

Take Names. While waiting for the police and EMTs to arrive, you can begin gathering contact information from all parties involved in the accident as well as any witnesses.

Take Photos. If you are able, you should try to take photographs of the scene of the accident, preferably before the cars or your motorcycle are moved from their original positions. These photos will help show how the accident occurred and who caused it.

Call an Attorney. The earlier you contact a motorcycle accident injury lawyer about your case, the better. After quickly reviewing the facts of the matter, your attorney can advise you of your legal standing in the case. Assuming you have a strong case for compensation, your attorney can manage all interactions with the insurance companies to help make sure you do not accidentally admit fault, downplay your injuries, or accept a settlement that includes less compensation than you really deserve.

If you would like to discuss your motorcycle accident with an experienced attorney, please call The Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 now and request your free consultation.