If you were just involved in a motorcycle accident in Massachusetts, your first priority should be your health and safety. Get medical attention, report the crash, document what happened, and be careful about discussing fault or your injuries with insurance companies before you understand your rights.
The hours and days after a motorcycle crash can be confusing, especially if you are injured. Here are the important steps to take after a motorcycle accident and how an experienced Massachusetts motorcycle accident lawyer can help.
1. Get Medical Attention After a Motorcycle Crash
If you are injured, call 911 and get medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you think your injuries are minor, consider being evaluated by a medical professional.
Motorcyclists have significantly less physical protection than people traveling in passenger vehicles. A collision can result in broken bones, road rash, head injuries, spinal injuries, and other serious conditions.
Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Seeking medical care helps protect your health while also documenting your injuries following the accident.
2. Report the Motorcycle Accident
Call the police and report the crash, particularly when someone has been injured or there is significant property damage.
When speaking with the police, explain what happened as accurately as possible. Avoid guessing about something you did not see or making assumptions about who was responsible.
The information documented following the accident may become important if you later need to make an insurance or personal injury claim.
3. Take Photos and Collect Evidence
If your injuries allow you to safely remain at the scene, use your phone to document as much as possible.
Take photos or videos of:
Your motorcycle and the other vehicle
Damage to both vehicles
Your visible injuries
The roadway and surrounding area
Traffic lights and signs
Skid marks and debris
Weather and road conditions
Exchange contact, driver's license, vehicle, and insurance information with the other driver. If anyone witnessed the accident, try to obtain their name and contact information as well.
Do not throw away damaged helmets, riding gear, clothing, or other items from the crash. They could potentially become important evidence.
4. Don't Admit Fault at the Accident Scene
A motorcycle accident can happen very quickly, and you may not have all the information necessary to know exactly what caused it.
Avoid statements such as "I'm sorry" or "It was my fault." Instead, provide the police with factual information about what you remember.
Even if you believe you may have contributed to the accident, you should not automatically assume you are unable to pursue a claim. Massachusetts follows a comparative negligence system, and responsibility for an accident may be shared.
Learn more in our article, "What If I Was Partially at Fault for a Motorcycle Crash in Massachusetts?"
5. Be Careful When an Insurance Company Calls
After a motorcycle accident, you may receive calls from an insurance adjuster asking questions about the accident or your injuries.
Be careful about giving a recorded statement, speculating about fault, or describing the extent of your injuries before you know their full impact.
You should also be cautious about accepting an early settlement. Once a claim is settled, you generally cannot go back and request additional compensation if your injuries turn out to be more serious than originally expected.
Before making important decisions about your claim, consider speaking with a Massachusetts motorcycle accident attorney.
6. Keep Track of Medical Bills and Other Accident Expenses
Create a file containing documents associated with the accident and your recovery.
Keep medical bills, treatment records, prescription information, motorcycle repair estimates, insurance correspondence, and records showing time you missed from work.
You may also want to keep notes about your recovery. Document pain, limitations, appointments, activities you cannot perform, and ways your injuries have affected your everyday life.
7. Talk to a Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accident claims can become complicated when drivers disagree about what happened, serious injuries are involved, or an insurance company challenges liability.
A motorcycle accident attorney can investigate the crash, obtain evidence, communicate with insurance companies, identify potentially responsible parties, and evaluate the losses associated with your injuries.
Faneuf Law Group is a Massachusetts personal injury law firm with offices in Woburn and Boston. We represent injured motorcyclists throughout Massachusetts.
If another driver turned in front of your motorcycle, you may also want to read our article, "Who Is Liable for a Left-Turn Motorcycle Accident in Massachusetts?"
If you have been injured and aren't sure what to do next, call Faneuf Law Group at (617) 939-9894 for a free, confidential consultation. There are no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions After a Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident
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You should consider getting medically evaluated even if you initially feel okay. Some injuries may not produce obvious symptoms immediately after a crash.
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If you can safely do so, collect the other driver's contact and insurance information, witness contact information, photographs and videos, and information about where and how the accident occurred.
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Be cautious about providing a recorded statement to another driver's insurance company before understanding your rights. Consider speaking with a Massachusetts motorcycle accident lawyer first.
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A driver's allegation does not determine legal responsibility for an accident. Evidence such as photographs, witness statements, video footage, vehicle damage, police documentation, and roadway evidence may help establish what happened.
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Potentially. Massachusetts follows modified comparative negligence rules. Your ability to recover and the amount you may receive can depend on your share of responsibility for the accident.
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Consider contacting an attorney as soon as reasonably possible after addressing your immediate medical needs. Evidence can disappear, witnesses can become difficult to locate, and insurance companies may begin investigating the accident immediately.
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Faneuf Law Group represents people injured in motorcycle and other motor vehicle accidents in Woburn, Boston, and throughout Massachusetts. We can investigate what happened, deal with insurance companies, preserve important evidence, and help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in Massachusetts? We Can Help.
You don't have to navigate the insurance and legal process by yourself. Our office does not require payment upfront, we only get paid if we settle the case.
Faneuf Law Group's personal injury attorneys represent injured motorcycle riders throughout Massachusetts. If you have questions about an accident, your injuries, an insurance claim, or who was at fault, we can review what happened and explain your options.
Call Faneuf Law Group at (617) 939-9894 for a free, confidential consultation. We're available 24/7, and there are no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.