What you do when you crash your motorcycle can make a big difference in helping to protect your health and your legal rights. After a motorcycle accident, you may want to:
- Seek prompt medical attention for your injuries
- Stay at the scene and call local police if you are able
- Take pictures of your injuries and of the crash scene
- Exchange contact information with the other involved drivers
- Make a note of the names and contact information of any witnesses
- Request a copy of your motorcycle crash report
- Report the accident to your insurance company
You may also want to contact a personal injury law firm after an accident. They may be able to help you understand your legal options in a free consultation. If you qualify, they may also be able to represent you and take over all of the legal work in your case.
Seek Medical Treatment After Your Accident
One of the most important things to do after a motorcycle accident is to seek medical treatment. If you have serious injuries that require emergency medical treatment, call 9-1-1, and request an ambulance. Otherwise, make sure to see a doctor for an evaluation of your injuries as soon as possible after leaving the accident scene.
A doctor can diagnose and begin treating your injuries. Also, they can document how your injuries came from your motorcycle accident in your medical record. This can be an important piece of evidence in your case.
Contact Local Police Immediately After An Accident
If you were in a motorcycle accident, you should always call the police to the scene and file a crash report. According to the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (VAT) §605, it is mandatory to file a crash report in New York if:
- Anyone involved in the accident was injured
- Anyone involved in the accident was fatally injured
- More than $1,000 of property damage is apparent
If you did not call the police from the scene of the accident, you have 10 days to call and report the crash.
Your crash report may also be used as evidence in your personal injury claim. It may provide you or your legal team with important information such as:
- Contact information for the at-fault driver and his insurer
- Contact information for anyone who witnessed the accident
- Notes and diagrams from the investigating officer
- Descriptions and identifying details for each vehicle
Your crash report may also indicate where each vehicle was impacted, if the other driver was cited for driving while intoxicated, and other information that may support your case.
Collect Evidence of Your Accident
After a motorcycle collision, you should take pictures of the scene of the accident, the damage to your vehicle, and your injuries, if possible. You may want to ask a friend, family member, or a member of your health care team to take photos for you.
In addition, keep a copy of your medical records. These documents may detail the costs of the care you received at the accident scene, in the emergency room, and during any hospital stay. Your medical records and prognosis may also help estimate the cost of any future medical care you might require. These are expenses that the at-fault driver may be compelled to pay if you or your lawyer proves negligence was the cause of the accident.
Consider Working with a Lawyer
Although you can represent yourself in an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, a lawyer may be able to manage these tasks on your behalf while you focus on recovering from your injuries. A lawyer’s services may include:
- Investigating your accident and identifying the liable party
- Collecting evidence of their liability
- Collecting evidence of the extent of your damages
- Filing your insurance claim and/or personal injury lawsuit
- Communicating with all parties for you
- Negotiating for a settlement offer
- Taking your case to trial
Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee-basis with no up-front payments required.
Recoverable Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case
In general, the potentially recoverable damages in a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit may include:
- Current and future injury-related medical expenses
- Current and future injury-related income loss
- Pain and suffering, disability, and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
Call Morelli Law Firm Law Firm Today
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in New York, Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you. We represent accident victims in New York City, on Long Island, and in New York State up to Albany.
For information on what to do next when you crash your motorcycle, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800. A member of our team can discuss your accident and your legal options in a free, no-obligation case review.
Keep in mind that, per New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §214, there is a general three-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits in New York.