What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Experienced Dallas motorcycle accident lawyer explains how the process works

Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident in Dallas caused by another driver can be confusing. Often, you have several available options, including filing an injury claim or a lawsuit seeking damages, a legal term used to describe financial compensation awarded to injury victims.

But actually getting the money you rightfully deserve can be difficult. Don’t be surprised if the driver blames you for causing your motorcycle accident. And the at-fault driver’s insurance company will often do everything they can to reduce or deny your injury claim.

This is why it’s important to know how to respond to a motorcycle accident. Otherwise, your rights might not be respected. And you might not get the money you deserve. Our experienced Dallas motorcycle accident attorneys at The Marye Law Firm know exactly what to do. We have decades of experience. We understand how the legal system work. That’s why we want to help.

What should I do immediately after my motorcycle accident?

If you or a family member sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident in Dallas caused by another driver, you need to act fast to protect your rights and your health. Depending on the circumstances of your crash, these are some of the steps you should take right away:

Call the police and tell them you have been in a serious motorcycle accident.
If you or anyone else appears injured, ask the Dallas Police Department (or whoever responds to your accident) to send an ambulance.
Before anyone leaves the scene of your accident, get the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw your accident. Eyewitness testimony can help strengthen your motorcycle injury claim.
Take pictures of your motorcycle accident. Try to get photos of the point of impact on your motorcycle and the vehicle involved. If there are traffic signs or skid marks at your crash site, take photos of them as well.
Exchange information with the driver. Give the driver your name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
If the driver asks you any questions about the accident, don’t get into a conversation. Even saying something as simple as “I’m sorry” could be misinterpreted by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They might consider it an admission of fault and use it as a reason to deny your injury claim.
Contact a Dallas motorcycle accident attorney right away. The sooner you have a lawyer working on your case, the better.

What should I do soon after my motorcycle accident?

If your motorcycle accident took place several hours or days ago, there are some additional steps you should take if you have not already done so. These steps include:

Schedule a follow-up appointment with a doctor. Even if you have already been examined by a physician, many serious motorcycle accident injuries develop slowly, including whiplash, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions. Whether it’s taking time to rest, scheduling additional follow-up doctor’s appointments, or undergoing physical therapy, make sure you do everything the doctor tells you to do. This is very important for two reasons. One, following your doctor’s advice should help you recover better and faster. Two, if you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions, the at-fault driver’s insurance company might deny your claim on the grounds that you’re not actually injured.
You can expect to receive a phone call or be contacted in some other way by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They’ll probably tell you they just have a few questions. Don’t answer them. Anything you say can be used by them to deny your claim. If they want more information, tell them to contact your lawyer.
The other driver’s insurance company might make a settlement offer soon after your accident. Such an offer might seem tempting. But it’s important to understand that if you accept such an offer, you will forfeit your right to ask for any additional money in the future. And in most cases, settlement offers made right after an accident don’t even come close to covering all your injury-related expenses. Ask the insurance company to send you a copy of their settlement offer in writing. That way, you can review the offer with your attorney.
The investigating police officer will create an official report for your motorcycle accident. Make sure you carefully review your accident report, which is called a “Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (Form CR-3).” You can obtain a copy of your report by contacting the police department that investigated your accident (which can include the Dallas Police Department or the Texas Highway Patrol) or by contacting the Texas Department of Transportation Crash Report.
If you have not already done so, contact a Dallas motorcycle accident lawyer right away.

The sooner you talk to an attorney, the better. And for more than two decades, the dedicated legal team at The Marye Law Firm has been helping injured motorcyclists when they need us most. Discover what we can do for you. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a Dallas motorcycle accident attorney focused on finding solutions for your complex legal case.

The Marye Law Firm – we’re serious about winning your case.