Getting injured in a motorcycle accident can be a devastating, life-altering event. In many cases, when a motorcyclist is hit by a car, truck, or SUV, the person on the motorcycle takes the brunt of the damage. This often results in serious injuries like broken bones, lost limbs, spinal cord injuries, and/or brain trauma. In fact, a motorcyclist was 37 times more likely to die in a wreck than someone riding in a passenger car, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In Florida, motor bike operators and their passengers accounted for over 14 percent of all deaths on Florida’s roadways despite being only 7 percent of the motorists on the road in the state, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What To Do After a Florida Motorcycle Accident
If you were hit by a vehicle, the most important, critical first step is to get to a hospital for treatment. Even if you think the accident was relatively “minor”, it makes sense to see a medical professional to get checked out. It is better to be safe than sorry. There have been instances of people who got involved in a motorcycle accident and did not realize they suffered a concussion.
You should also try and take photos of the damage to your motorcycle sooner rather than later. This is vitally important evidence that will be helpful for both your property damage claim and your potential motorcycle accident injury claim.
If the other driver did not flee the scene, you should get their information as well, especially their full name, phone number, and any insurance information. If police were called to the scene of the accident, contact the investigating officer and see if an accident report was filed. If so, get a copy of the report to see who was determined to be at fault.
Insurance Adjusters Waste No Time
Do not be surprised if an insurance adjuster for the at-fault driver contacts you soon after the accident. Adjusters waste no time in trying to get a recorded statement from you so they can use it at a later time if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim. How? In general, they will ask you how you are “feeling” and, in many cases, the full extent of your injuries may not be known shortly after an accident. You may not even realize just how damaged you are until you are seen by your primary care physician or other medical professional. The best strategy is to politely tell the adjuster that you do not want to provide a recorded statement until you speak to a Florida motorcycle accident injury lawyer.
Contact an Experienced Florida Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a motorcycle wreck caused by the negligence of another driver, contact the law offices of Hoffman, Larin & Agnetti, P.A. for a free case analysis. You may be able to pursue restitution for medical bills, missed time from work, pain and suffering, and other damages. Reach out to us today to begin working on your case.
