Motorcycle accidents happen for a variety of reasons, but the predominant place where these wrecks occur is at intersections. Intersections may be one of the most dangerous places to be outside your vehicle and on the road. Traffic can be coming towards you from the sides, the front, the back, or diagonally when cars turn left. This is why it is important to know ahead of time what steps to take in order to avoid further damage, know what to do after the accident, and how to handle obstacles you may face in the long run.
Assessing Your Injuries
The first and most important thing you should do is to become aware of your surroundings. Make sure you are not in the middle of oncoming traffic and, if you are, be careful about how you move out of the way. Depending on your injuries, the wrong kind of movement may worsen your condition. Common motorcycle injuries are skull fractures, leg and arm breaks, broken ribs, and spine injuries. Spine and head injuries are delicate and any movement should be done in a way that prevents movement of the spine or neck.
Collecting Relevant Evidence
Once you are out of the line of traffic and you have called 911, the next step is documentation. This means taking pictures of your injuries, the other driver’s injuries, the accident scene, and vehicle damages. Write down the other driver’s contact and insurance information, and if any witnesses are present, write down what they saw. After police arrive, ask for a copy of a police report.
Relevant information to write down from your perspective would include how fast you were driving, the last thing you remember doing with your motorcycle before the wreck, whether the road was wet or dry, and what the other driver was doing. Write these down as soon as you can because memories can fade or become distorted quickly, especially if you suffered a head injury.
Determining Negligence
So now you are safe and might still be recovering from injuries. Everything seems fine until you see the medical bill. However, you do not have to stop there. If you suspect that the other driver caused the wreck in any way, then you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries. A Tennessee motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to help you collect evidence and build a defense that demonstrates how the other driver acted with negligence. The settlement will cover your medical expenses.
