What to do if you’ve been in a motorbike accident
Photo by Kevin Bidwell from Pexels
No matter how experienced or attentive you are the road, driving a motorbike be dangerous. A change in weather conditions, reckless drivers or unexpected obstructions can lead you to have an accident on the road, not forgetting your own tiredness levels. If you’ve had an accident, it’s likely that you’ll be upset and might not know what to do next. One of the first things you should do is contact a motor lawyer, who can give you professional advice and may be able to get you compensation. But what else should you do if you’ve been in a motorbike accident?
Stop
If you’re not injured, it can be tempting to whizz off after an accident, and staying at the scene if you’re feeling shaken or anxious might be the last thing you want to do. But it’s important to stay put. You may need to exchange details with others involved in the accident or speak to a police officer. It might also be unsafe to use your bike if it’s damaged, or you may have an injury that affects your vision or balance.
Check for injuries
One of the key things to do after an accident is check that you’re not injured by moving your body slowly and carefully, if you can. Neck and back strains are common after a car or bike accident, generally referred to as “whiplash”. You may feel your injuries immediately, but they may also appear within a few weeks of the accident. Make sure you get checked by a medical professional to ensure that you don’t have any long-term damage from your motorbike accident. You should also check anyone else involved in the accident, if you feel able to.
Warn oncoming traffic
As a citizen, you have a responsibility to warn any oncoming drivers of the accident, especially if there is a vehicle blocking the road. If your motorbike has hazard lights, turn them on to warn any oncoming drivers to slow down and drive around the area. You should also ensure that your engine is turned off, alongside those of any other vehicles involved in the accident.
Witnesses
If you’ve been involved in a motorbike accident, you will need to get the details of anyone involved in the accident and any witnesses. If you went to court, your motor lawyer may call them to the stand and they could help with your case. Therefore, it’s important to get their names and phone numbers. You may also wish to make a note of the vehicle registration number and design of any other vehicles involved in the accident.
Check for bike damage
Whilst your safety and the safety of those around you is the most important, you may also wish to check your bike for any damage. If you are protective over your bike and have a special model, you may be worried about damages or expenses. This is completely understandable. You might wish to take any photos of the scene and of your bike immediately after the accident, to use as evidence.
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