What Should I Do at the Scene of a Motorcycle Accident?

What should you do at the scene of a motorcycle accident in Arizona? While the best steps to take after a collision can vary, the professionals generally recommend that you contact the police, seek immediate medical care, and contact a lawyer. 

A Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer from our team at Zanes Law can walk you through specific steps to take after a collision. We may advise you about what kind of evidence to gather and how to speak with other individuals at the accident scene. 

Go over your next steps now by calling or completing our online contact form.

Stay Calm and Get to a Safe Location

Maintaining your calm is one of the most important things to do at the scene of a motorcycle wreck. Attempt to take deep and slow breaths and ensure you move off the road to protect yourself from further injuries. 

However, you should not leave the scene of the accident. Leaving after a motorcycle wreck could result in hit-and-run charges. Instead, move off the road or into a nearby parking lot and wait for emergency services to arrive. 

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Contact the Police

It’s important to contact local police after a motorcycle accident. You should report any accident that results in property damage, injuries, or a fatality. Police officers can come out to the scene of the collision, ask questions, and file an official accident report.

Motorcycle accident attorneys often use these reports when building legal claims. Additionally, contacting a police officer may allow them to identify if the other driver involved in the collision was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

Furthermore, a police report confirms that the accident happened when and where you said it did. It may confirm additional details, like the number of people involved, the extent of your injuries, and the presumed fault for the wreck. 

Secure Medical Care

You may require medical treatment after a motorcycle accident, especially as a motorcyclist. Motorcycles provide minimal protection for drivers, often leading to injuries like broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, and paralysis. 

It’s essential to call an ambulance if you – or someone else – require emergency care. You may drive to a hospital on your own if you have injuries but are not in immediate danger. 

Getting prompt medical care benefits you for several reasons. Taking this step can help with your recovery and establish that your injuries came directly from the accident, making it easier for a motorcycle accident lawyer to secure damages for your losses. 

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Get Information from the Other Driver

We recommend you speak with other drivers involved in your motorcycle collision to collect their personal information. However, we understand this step may be impossible if you sustained severe injuries.

If possible, collect information about the other driver’s:

• Name
• Insurance policy
• Phone number
• License plate number

When building a motorcycle accident claim, you can provide this information to your attorney and your insurance company. Note that if the other driver is aggressive or belligerent, you should not put yourself at any risk to speak with them. 

Police officers can also gather their information. Your safety should remain a priority after an accident. 

You Should Also Speak to Witnesses

In addition to speaking to the driver who caused your collision, you should take a moment to collect contact information from any witnesses. Write down their names, phone numbers, and brief descriptions to remember them more easily. 

Your lawyer may contact these individuals to support your story about what happened during the accident. Keeping track of them immediately can bolster the strength of your claim by establishing negligence. 

Avoid Admitting Fault for the Accident

While speaking to the other driver or anyone else at the scene of the collision, we recommend that you avoid discussing fault for the wreck. Insurance agents may use something as simple as an apology as proof that you accepted blame for the accident. 

You can reach out to a lawyer quickly for more advice about what to say after a collision. 

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Take Pictures of the Motorcycle Accident Scene

Depending on the severity of your injuries, we suggest you take time to document the scene of your collision before leaving. You can take pictures of:

• Your injuries
• The damage to your motorcycle
• The position of other vehicles immediately after the wreck
• Hazards that contributed to your collision 

A motorcycle accident lawyer can use these photographs when building a claim to bring you compensation for your losses. 

Make Notes About What Happened

The professionals recommend that you immediately write down some brief notes about what happened during the accident. Our memories can fade and shift over time, especially after an injury. 

You can write down a more detailed recounting of what happened after you leave the accident scene based on your notes. 

Reach Out to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Finally, it’s often a good idea to speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer after an accident. You don’t have to wait to get help; working with the professionals right away can ensure you have guidance through each step of the legal process. 

Call Us at the Scene of a Motorcycle Accident

What should you do at the scene of a motorcycle accident? Our team at Zanes Law recommends that you contact the police, seek medical care, and reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer from our team for support. 

You can call or fill out our online contact form to discuss all your legal options.

Call or text 866-499-8989 or complete a
Free Case Evaluation form

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