While riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating, great caution must also be exercised along the way. Unfortunately, many who are behind the wheel of cars, trucks, big rigs, and other vehicles fail to give motorcycle riders the same level of respect on the road. As a result, thousands of motorcycle riders in Phoenix are injured or killed each year in accidents that never should have happened. If you have been injured while riding a motorcycle in Phoenix, here is what you should do next.
1. Call 9-1-1
If you can, call 9-1-1 immediately to report the motorcycle accident. Since you will probably have serious injuries, you will need fire and rescue personnel on the scene to treat your injures. Along with this, police will be at the scene and file an accident report, which your attorney will use in regards to your lawsuit.
2. Seek Medical Treatment
While your injuries will be initially treated at the accident scene, always get transported to a hospital for a complete exam. Even if you think you are not seriously injured, certain injuries such as whiplash or brain injuries may not present symptoms immediately. By getting medical treatment following the accident, doctors can document your injuries in medical records, which may be important should they be called on to testify as expert witnesses.
3. Don’t Talk About the Accident
Whether at the accident scene, on social media, or at gatherings with friends, coworkers, or others, make it a point to say as little as possible about the accident. For example, if you tell a police officer at the accident scene that you are okay, this may be put into their report. If this occurs, an insurance company will use this innocent remark against you, claiming this shows you were not seriously injured.
4. Beware of Insurance Companies
If an insurance company contacts you soon after the accident, be very wary. Chances are they have done so in an effort to find something to use against you, or perhaps offer you a quick financial settlement. If a financial offer is made, do not accept it until you have spoken with your motorcycle accident lawyer in Phoenix. Since most of these offers will probably not begin to pay for the costs of your medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering, allow your lawyers to handle negotiations with insurance companies. In doing so, you are almost certain to gain the compensation you need and deserve.
