According to statistics published by the NHTSA, motorcyclists are four times more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident than the occupants of passenger vehicles.
You can get compensation for your injuries from the other party when you’re involved in an accident, as long as you have their contact details.
Do you know what to do after a crash when the other party doesn’t stop? Keep reading to find out what you need to do when you’re a victim of a hit-and-run motorcycle accident.
Consider Your Safety First
Your priority when you’re involved in an accident is to get yourself to a safe place off the road and call 911. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s important to get checked over by a medical professional as soon as possible.
You’re likely to experience shock after the accident. This may mask any pain or signs of injury.
Many motorcyclists experience delayed symptoms after an accident, especially in cases of:
- Whiplash
- Muscle strains or sprains
- Traumatic brain injury
When you call 911, the operator will send an ambulance and police officers to your assistance. This means you’ll have a record of your accident and your injuries.
Getting medical assistance within 48 hours can help you if your insurance company disputes the seriousness of your injuries or what caused them. They could claim that your injuries resulted from something that happened after the accident if you don’t get a medical report immediately.
Record As Many Details As You Can
If you’re able to, use your cell phone to take a photograph of the offending vehicle and write down any details you can remember. Try to make a note of the color, model, and make of the car and the direction it was traveling in.
Make a note of any identifying features of the car, such as bumper stickers. If possible, jot down a description of the driver if you catch sight of them.
All this information can help the police track them down.
Look around for any witnesses and ask them for their contact details; they might be able to provide the police with helpful information. Witnesses will also help you prove that the accident wasn’t your fault.
Be sure to take photographs of the accident scene, the damage to your motorcycle, and any injuries you sustain. Keep copies of all the information you record at the scene; this will come in handy later on.
If there are any surveillance cameras nearby, these will usually belong to roadside businesses. Ask the store manager if they have any footage from your accident and ask them to preserve it.
Likewise, if your accident took place in a residential area, some of the nearby homes might have surveillance cameras.
Don’t Pursue the Offender
Never attempt to run or ride after the retreating vehicle or interfere with their getaway plans. The driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol or have violent tendencies.
Leave it to the police to head off in hot pursuit of the car. If they don’t manage to apprehend them, they may be able to track them down based on the information you provide.
Apart from these dangers, you’d be committing an offense if you left the scene of the accident.
Work With the Police to Compile a Report
Your insurance company will request an accident report when you file your claim. It’s best to get this paperwork out of the way while the incident is still fresh in your mind.
The police will use the information you provide to try and apprehend the driver who caused the hit-and-run motorcycle accident. Ask them to give you a copy of the report for your records.
Contact Your Insurance Company
It’s important to contact your insurer as soon as possible after the accident. Most insurance companies insist you notify them of the accident within a certain timeframe if you want to file a claim.
Also, they may have further questions, and you can best answer these when the incident is still fresh in your mind.
If the police never catch the hit-and-run offender, you may be able to file for more money if you have uninsured motorist coverage.
Check every detail of your insurance policy to make sure your insurer isn’t trying to take advantage of a loophole to avoid paying you. If your insurer tries these tactics, contact a lawyer immediately for assistance.
File a Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accident Civil Suit
According to this Santa Ana lawyer, failure to stop when you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident can result in criminal charges. You’ll need a personal injury attorney on your side if you want to recover costs for any of the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical care
- Wage loss due to injury
You should file your claim on the same day as the accident, if possible, and make sure you start civil suit proceedings within 30 days.
A good personal injury attorney can provide you with all the legal services you need to negotiate with the insurance companies and win your case. In some cases, they can help you identify the hit-and-run driver based on their past experiences, too.
If you live in a state where leaving the scene of an accident is a felony and you can’t locate the guilty party or they’re uninsured, you may have an alternative option.
Some states can assist you with your claim via a victim’s compensation fund. Your lawyer can help you apply for these benefits.
In some cases, where the police apprehend the driver and they’re uninsured, a judge can force them to pay you anyway. Unfortunately, this only applies if the perpetrator has the means to pay you.
Know What to Expect
Although it’s sometimes difficult or even impossible to identify the perpetrator in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident, you’re more likely to find justice when you follow the above steps.
Hiring a lawyer is the best way to ensure you get the maximum compensation possible in these cases.
Are you curious to discover more tips for making the most of tricky situations? Browse our blog for information about a wide range of topics.
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