What Not to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

One of the first things you should do after a motorcycle accident in Boca Raton is contact a Boca Raton motorcycle accident lawyer. However, this task is often delayed because of the chaos and trauma caused by the situation. In such cases, it’s important not to make any mistakes at the scene before you’ve contacted a lawyer.

So, in this article, we’ll explain what to avoid after a motorcycle accident. If the time comes, this will prevent things from going against you in court.

What Not to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

What you do and not do after a motorcycle accident can greatly impact your court case. Here are some things you absolutely should not do if you want to get justice for the accident:

Don’t Leave The Scene

One of the most common mistakes people make after a motorcycle accident is leaving the scene. This especially happens when you aren’t hurt, and the vehicle damage is minor. However, this is actually considered a criminal offense in Florida.

Depending on how bad the accident was, an unlawful departure can result in a felony or misdemeanour penalties. This means you can end up paying huge fines or be punished with jail time.

Don’t Skip Calling the Police

One of the worst things you could do after a motor cycle accident is not report it. Regardless of how big or small the accident is, call the police immediately. This is especially important if the other party caused the accident and you want to be compensated for the damage.

They may even offer to pay for the damage out of their own pocket, but you can’t trust anyone. The primary motive for them will be to avoid repercussions and they’ll even lie make that happen. So don’t give in to any sob stories and ensure you are the one that reports the accident.

Don’t Start Fighting

Another thing to avoid after getting into a motorcycle accident is getting aggressive. If the other party caused the accident, it’s natural for you to feel furious. However, if you decide to attack them, they can easily paint you out to be the bad guy. You may even be accused of causing the accident to purposely harm them.

So, the best thing to do is stay calm and wait for police and medics to arrive. If the other driver tries to incite you into a fight, choose to stay quiet and ignore them.

Don’t Accept Fault

This point is important to remember for any kind of legal trouble you find yourself in. Never admit fault unless your attorney says otherwise. After a motorcycle accident, you may instinctively check up on the other driver and apologize even if you’re innocent. But, they may use that weak moment to pin the whole accident on you instead.

Also take care of this when giving a statement to the police. Answer each question they ask calmly and never accept blame for the accident to any extent.

Don’t Delay Getting Medically Checked

Florida is among the top 3 states in America for motorcycle-related deaths. A lot of these deaths occur because people involved in the accident delayed getting medically checked. So, it’s always good to wait for the ambulance at the accident site.

You may think you aren’t that hurt, but only a medical professional can verify internal injuries. Delaying medical care can also be used against you in court. The other driver may accuse you of letting your condition worsen in the hope of more financial compensation.

Don’t Forget to Collect Evidence

If you are physically able to do so, don’t forget to collect evidence. Take pictures of your injuries and damage to both vehicles and number plates. Besides this, also take pictures of the area and any signage nearby.

Ask any witnesses if they would be comfortable making a statement about what they saw. Record it on your phone to show to your lawyer later. All this evidence can come in handy in court to prove you innocent.

Don’t Negotiate With Insurance Companies

When the culprit of a motorcycle accident is obvious, insurance companies quickly strike the victim with a low-ball offer. Since the victim is usually worried sick about the damages at the time, they accept whatever they’re getting.

However, you could get a much bigger payout if you contact a motorcycle accident attorney first. They’ll help you analyze the damages in-depth and even negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

Conclusion

Getting in a motorcycle accident can be a jarring experience. While it’s important to prioritize your mental and physical health, it’s also essential to keep your legal interests in mind. So, make sure to do everything we recommended above after a motorcycle accident.

Then, the first chance you get, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer to get you the justice you deserve. They’ll get you financial compensation, negotiate with the insurance company, and have the culprit punished for their carelessness.