The state of Florida is home to more than 600,000 registered motorcycles, which are involved in about 2% of the annual motor vehicle accidents in The Sunshine State.
If you're ever in a motorcycle accident, understand which steps to take next. From contacting a motorcycle lawyer to finding a Florida motorcycle accident attorney, you must begin taking action immediately following a crash.
Here is how you should react after a motorcycle accident in Florida.
Call 911
In the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident, either call 911 yourself or see if someone else on the scene can do it. A 911 operator can send the local police to:
- Investigate your motorcycle accident.
- Control traffic in the area where your motorcycle accident took place.
- Create a police report about your motorcycle accident.
Be sure to call 911 before doing anything else. Let the operator know as soon as possible if anyone involved in your motorcycle accident is seriously injured and needs medical attention.
Seek Safety
If it's safe, move yourself to the side of the road after a crash. Do not speak to the other driver or admit any fault. Make note if the other driver says anything to you, including apologizing.
Gather Evidence
While waiting for the police to arrive, you should also aim to gather any other evidence you can find at the scene of your crash.
Pull out your smartphone and snap photographs of:
- The damage done to your motorcycle and other vehicles involved in your accident.
- The skid marks you or other drivers left behind after your accident.
- Injuries you sustained as your motorcycle accident happened.
- Nearby traffic signs and signals.
Did anyone on the scene witness your motorcycle accident? Don't be afraid to ask for their information, too. It could come in handy later in legal proceedings if you choose to hire a Florida motorcycle accident lawyer and pursue a case.
Secure Medical Attention
Whether you feel perfectly fine following a motorcycle accident or you're all banged up after it, have a paramedic check you out on the scene of your injury crash. You should also consider heading to a local hospital for further evaluations.
You need to document any injuries you sustained during a motorcycle accident for insurance purposes. You also need to report them in case you decide to hire a Florida motorcycle accident attorney to sue another driver involved in your crash.
Even if you feel fine now, you may have underlying injuries that require urgent attention.
Contact a Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney
When you reach this point after a motorcycle accident, you may think it's time to contact your auto insurance company about your crash. Before doing this, though, talk with a Florida motorcycle accident lawyer.
A great motorcycle accident attorney can tell you what you should and shouldn't say to representatives from your auto insurance company. Their law firm can also represent you and your motorcycle accident case if you decide to take it to court. The lawyer can also advise on insurance policies and damages related to the motorcycle accident.
Need Help With a Motorcycle Accident Case? Contact Our Law Firm Today
Being involved in a motorcycle accident can scare you, injure you, and potentially even change your life forever. A Florida motorcycle accident attorney from Warner & Fitzmartin can help put you on the road to recovery. Call us at (561) 821-3098 to speak with a lawyer from our law firm following a motorcycle accident in Florida.