With the high population in Houston, many people are embracing motorcycling for sporting and getting around easily. These two-wheelers are cheaper to maintain and can navigate areas that vehicles cannot. For instance, you may have been sitting in your car in traffic only for a motorcyclist to pass by without any problem. That is just one of the many benefits of motorcycles. Unfortunately, accidents involving motorcycles are equally common, and may involve catastrophic injuries. Sometimes people’s lives are lost.
If you have been in a similar crash, you already know how chaotic the aftermath can be. The adrenaline and shock that follows can make it difficult for you to gather your thoughts. This can leave you exposed to further harm. Furthermore, you may also ruin your chances of making a successful claim if you don’t take the right steps to protect your interests. Because the actions you take will have a significant bearing on your health, safety, and ability to recover damages, here is what to do after a motorcycle accident in Houston:
Check Yourself for Injuries
The very first thing you must do following a Houston motorcycle wreck is to check yourself for any injuries. Remember, many traffic accidents involve serious injuries, but keep in mind that the shock that follows may cloud your judgment as to whether you were injured or not. Furthermore, some injuries are not evident immediately and may take days or weeks for symptoms to show. This is especially true for internal injuries. Some of the injuries to watch out for in a motorcycle accident are broken bones, spinal injuries, head injuries, and whiplash.
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Get to Safety
If you can, get away from the road or moving traffic. Staying at the scene will expose you to more harm especially if other motorists are not aware of the crash. If you have been injured, see a doctor immediately and follow up with treatment, especially if you feel uneasy. Doing so will not only be critical to your safety but also your ability to recover damages. Keep in mind that insurance companies will have issues with your injuries, and if you can’t prove causation, your case may be dismissed.
Call the Police
It’s a requirement in most states that all traffic accidents be reported to the local police department. A team will be dispatched to the scene to help with investigations, which are then filled in a police report. You should retain a copy of the report before leaving the scene as it may prove crucial when seeking compensation from insurance companies.
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Gather Evidence
If you can, always take it upon yourself to gather as much evidence as you can from the scene. Don’t rely on the other party’s words or admissions, no matter how compelling they are. Even if they admit fault, do not leave anything to chance. Take photos of the scene, recording your injuries, parties involved, as well as damaged property. Such evidence may be difficult to come by when the scene is compromised or cleared.
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Exchange Information With Parties Involved
Before leaving the scene, talk to as many people as you can. Most importantly, look for witnesses who saw the accident happen and note down their names, addresses, testimonials, as well as any other information you deem relevant. Traffic footage may not be enough to determine what truly happened. Their accounts of events may help paint a better picture of what transpired in the moments leading to the crash.
Notify Your Insurance Company
All motorists in Texas, including motorcyclists, are required to carry insurance. The aim is to provide for a means to recover damages in case the insured risks occur. But to effectively recover what you are owed, the insurance policies set out duties that must be fulfilled depending on the insurance company in question. For instance, you must report the accident within a specified time, which is often shortly after you’ve been injured. To ensure that you are on the right track, always notify your insurance company about the crash as soon as possible.
Contact an Attorney
No matter how minor your accident is, the ensuing lawsuit may be challenging more so when insurance companies are trying to arm-twist you into accepting their terms. After all, you may not know your rights or the true value of your claim. Working with a qualified motorcycle accident attorney will serve to tell them off as your rights and interests are preserved.
Let Us Help You Know What to Do After a Houston Motorcycle Accident
The lawyers at Lone Star Injury Attorneys have decades of hands-on experience and expertise handling personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death claims resulting from similar crashes. We are happy to help you determine what to do after a motorcycle accident in Houston and anywhere in Texas get justice. Call us today for a no-risk case review.
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