In 2020, there were over 5,000 motorcycle accident fatalities and 83,000 injuries. Additionally, data shows motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a collision than drivers or passengers in other motor vehicles. 

For these reasons, motorcyclists must do as much as they can to protect themselves when on the roads. This includes wearing protective gear and being cautious while driving. However, in addition to the preemptive measures, what you do after an accident is also important. 

As personal injury experts that have handled countless motorcycle accident cases in Indiana, we often hear people saying things like, “I was in a motorcycle accident; what do I do?” So we’ve decided to put this guide together to help. 

If, after reading, you still aren’t sure what to do after a motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance. If you were injured in an accident, we can review your case and help you understand the next steps to ensure the best possible outcome. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Indiana

Before we dive into what to do after a motorcycle accident, we thought we’d share some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents. Knowing when, where, and why motorcycle accidents happen is important as it can help you avoid these situations and prevent future injury. 

• Left turns: This is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accident collisions, which occur when a driver turns left into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. Many people try to turn left and sneak through lights as quickly as possible, but they tend to do this less often when they would be turning into the path of larger vehicles. However, many drivers are more dismissive of motorcyclists and more often turn in front of them, assuming they can make the turn before the motorcyclist reaches them. Even though you might have the right of way when proceeding straight, it’s helpful if you pay close attention at intersections to avoid colliding with drivers who decide to be careless and turn in front of you.
• Inexperience: Though motorcyclists are required to take training courses before they can get their license, many are still inexperienced once they hit the road for the first time. Unfortunately, being inexperienced with a bike can easily lead to deadly accidents. It’s important to take your time getting comfortable with your bike before riding on busy or complex roadways. 
• Lack of visibility: Motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles, and as such, they more easily disappear in blind spots or are simply less easy to spot in general. If you are out riding, make sure the other drivers around you can see you before you make any moves that could result in a collision. 
• Hazards in the roadway: It’s much easier for a car to drive over a pothole or a piece of debris in the roadway than it is for a motorcycle. Motorcyclists can lose control of their bikes when they fail to avoid these and other kinds of hazards on the road. You must keep an eye out for these things to avoid getting into an accident. 

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident

It’s crucial that you take preventive measures to avoid motorcycle accidents, but if you do happen to find yourself the victim of a motorcycle collision, here’s what you should do to protect yourself:

1. Call the Police

First and foremost, always call the police after an accident. Even if it’s just a minor collision, you never know what injuries could appear. And if you end up needing to file a claim, you will need a police report to serve as evidence. 

2. Seek Medical Attention

Second, if you were injured in the accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as you can. If your injuries are an emergency, make sure the police send EMS to the scene so you can be treated and transported to the hospital if needed. If your injuries are not severe, you should still go to the doctor or urgent care after the accident as proof that you were injured will also serve as evidence to support your personal injury claim. 

3. Gather Evidence

Even if the police arrive, there is no guarantee that they will gather all the evidence needed to prove what happened. As the injured victim, it often falls on your shoulders in a personal injury case to provide sufficient evidence to show what happened. 

Such evidence that can be beneficial for you to collect can include motorcycle accident pictures, photos of your injuries and the car damage, and anything else relevant to the accident. You can also take videos with your phone. Once you leave the scene of the accident and talk to an attorney, they can help you obtain additional evidence, like surveillance camera footage, black box data, and more. 

4. Collect Contact Information

You should also obtain contact information for anyone else involved in the accident. This includes their names, phone number, insurance information, and license number. This information will be needed after the accident when you file your claim so you and your lawyer can determine who you need to file the claim against. 

5. Talk to the Witnesses

In addition to talking to others involved in the accident, it’s also helpful if you can speak to any witnesses and take down their contact info as well. If there are any disputes over what happened, witnesses can be called upon to testify or give a statement. 

6. Do NOT Admit Fault

Perhaps one of the most important things to do after a motorcycle accident is to avoid saying anything that could be used against you. When you file a claim to recover compensation for your injuries and other damages, insurance might use your words against you to deny your claim and portray you as the at-fault party. You must be very mindful of what you say and admit to after an accident. 

7. Notify Your Insurance

After the accident, you will need to notify your insurance company of what happened. Indiana is an at-fault state, so if another driver was at fault, you will need to file a third-party claim against them, which your own insurance company will need to be made aware of. But again, be mindful of what you say, even to your own insurance company. You do not want to say anything that might make it seem like you were the one that caused the accident. 

8. Keep Copies of All Records

To win your case, you will need to provide as much evidence as possible to show what happened and how you were affected by the accident and your injuries. Thus, it is important that you obtain copies of any documents relating to the accident, such as medical documents showing the treatment of your injuries. 

Contact an Indianapolis Motorcycle Accident Attorney 

The final step you should take after a motorcycle accident is contacting an attorney. In fact, you might not even want to wait to do this. The sooner you consult with an attorney, the sooner your case can be settled, and you will have the money you need to pay for your medical bills and other damages. Some evidence after an accident may also be time-sensitive, meaning the sooner you can get your hands on it, the better, and your attorney can help with this. 

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Indiana, the team at Poynter & Bucheri can assist you. We understand how stressful and overwhelming dealing with a motorcycle injury claim can be on top of dealing with your medical treatments and your pain and suffering. Let us help you navigate your claim and take care of the hard work so you can rest and focus on your recovery. 

Don’t hesitate — an experienced Indianapolis motorcycle injury lawyer can assist you right away. Call 1-800-265-9881 for a free case review.