What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in California

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Motorcycle accidents can lead to serious injuries and leave cyclists wondering what they can do to receive compensation for their injuries. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can leave victims in a complicated mess with insurance companies and the at-fault party.

If you or a loved one are injured in a motorcycle accident in California, you should seek legal assistance from an experienced Long Beach motorcycle accident lawyer. There are several steps you can take in the immediate aftermath of a crash and in the days following that will help ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Seek medical attention

The most important thing for you to do after a motorcycle crash is to seek medical attention. If your injuries are serious, let EMS transport you to the hospital. Even if you think your injuries are minor, go see a doctor as soon as possible. The signs and symptoms of many motorcycle accident injuries do not appear until hours or days after a crash happens.

Call the police

Call the California Highway Patrol or the local police department to respond to the crash. You will want law enforcement to be at the crash site to investigate the incident, take driver statements, and fill out an accident report. Be sure to ask the police how to obtain an official copy of the report. In many cases, the officer will indicate who they have determined to be at fault for the crash.

Exchange information

After the crash, you will want to exchange information with all drivers involved. This includes their driver’s license number and insurance information. You can use your phone to photograph this information.

Gather evidence

Use your phone or another camera to take photos of the scene, including damages, injuries, possible causes of the crash, weather conditions, and more.

Call the insurance company

Most insurance companies require you to report a crash soon after it happens. You should fill them in on the basic details of what happened. You should contact your insurance carrier, not the other party’s insurance carrier. The opposing insurance provider can use statements you make against you in the claims process.

Continue medical care

You need to continue to follow all of your doctor’s treatment plans after your crash until you are back to full health. If you fail to do so, the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier may try to claim that you were not really injured in the crash in an attempt to lower the amount of money they pay out in a settlement.

Speak to an attorney

If another driver was at fault in your motorcycle crash, you should speak to an attorney. Most Long Beach personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation of your case, so you will lose nothing. You may discover that you are entitled to significant compensation.

How often do motorcycle crashes happen?

Motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence in California. During the latest reporting year in the state, the California Office of Traffic Safety says that motorcycle crashes caused 15,328 injuries and 504 fatalities in the state.

It is not uncommon for an attorney to help an accident victim suffering from the following injuries:

You could be entitled to various types of compensation, including:

  • Your medical expenses related to the motorcycle crash
  • Lost wages and benefits if you cannot work
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of personal enjoyment damages
  • Possible punitive damages against the person responsible