There are few things more terrifying than being injured as a motorcyclist. In general, motorcyclists run a greater risk of being fatally injured in an accident on the roadway than automobile drivers. In fact, more than 5,000 people died in motorcycle crashes in 2016 alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
While motorcycle accidents are caused by a variety of mistakes and oversights on the road, including poor environmental conditions and driver error, there are several routine steps that should be followed after a motorcycle accident in Dallas.
Step 1: Seek Medical Treatment
The first thing you should do following a motorcycle accident is seek medical treatment for your injuries. If you have been seriously injured, then you may lose consciousness for several hours or even days. If you have not been seriously injured and are able to walk away from the accident scene, then you should consider making an appointment with a physician right away.
Sometimes, injuries that come with a motorcycle accident — such as concussions, spinal cord injuries or internal bleeding — do not exhibit symptoms for an extended period of time. After making an appointment with your doctor, you may find that your injury can be prevented from becoming worse through early intervention.
Step 2: Document Your Experience
When you visit a physician or emergency room, request copies of all of your records. This will make it far easier to present your case in the event that you choose to file a lawsuit against a negligent or reckless driver.
In addition to records and receipts from your doctor, you should keep close tabs on your symptoms, your prescriptions and the total cost of your injury. Are you missing paid time at work? Have you been forced to purchase special medical supplies? Did your property suffer severe damage in the accident? You should be able to provide answers to these questions when you file a motorcycle accident claim.
Step 3: Collect Necessary Evidence
There is other evidence that may be necessary to help build your case, including the addresses, names and phone numbers of any witnesses to the accident. If you were able to collect any of this information on-scene, then you are ahead of the game. However, if you were too busy seeking necessary medical attention, then a police report will usually be able to fill in the blanks.
The police report involving your accident should be readily available when you request it. Since these reports can be incredibly useful, you should never ever leave the scene of an accident without ensuring someone contacted the police. You can safely assume, if an ambulance was involved, that the authorities were called to the scene.
Step 4: Consider Hiring a Dallas Motorcycle Accident Attorney to Help You File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
During your recovery, you will have plenty of time to think about the cause of your accident and what, if anything, could have been done differently to prevent it. If, in the end, you feel the accident was caused by a negligent or reckless driver, then the time has come to file a personal injury lawsuit. A Dallas motorcycle accident attorney will help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Retain Legal Representation After a Motorcycle Accident in Dallas
Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident in Dallas due to the negligence or recklessness of a third party? You deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. Contact an experienced Dallas motorcycle accident attorney at the Law Office of Dorothy Hyde by calling (214)-883-1700.