What Should a Motorcyclist do after an Accident in Tennessee?

A person who has decided to become a biker understands the risk that he or she takes. Although riding a bike offers a chance to experience the roads of Tennessee in a way that drivers of other vehicles never really can, it also provides very little protection in the event of an accident. When an accident does occur, there are things that you can do to protect yourself going forward.

First, all of this advice is contingent on your injuries not being so severe as to require immediate medical attention. None of the suggestions here are worth the sacrifice of your health and ultimate recovery. However, if it is possible for you to take some action at the scene of the accident, here are some suggestions.

Collect information at the scene – this same advice applies in any type of accident. Obtain as much personal information from the other driver and any witnesses as possible, including full names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mails. In addition, record the vehicle details such as make, model, color, and license plate. Getting the other driver’s insurance information is important, even if there is a law enforcement officer collecting the same data for an accident report.
Get a complete medical examination as soon as possible – even if you do not need emergency medical care at the time of the accident, some severe injuries develop slowly, over the course of days or weeks. A thorough medical review can identify damage that requires immediate care.
Gather evidence – this means at the scene and afterwards. Keep a collection of all written statements about the accident, whether this is your personal recollection, the formal report, or other people’s observations. Take pictures at the scene, including of the other driver and witnesses. It is a good idea to print these out as soon as you have the chance and maintain them as part of a written file. File copies of all medical bills and expenses relating to the accident. Keeping a journal is a good way to record the impact that the accident had on your life, even if you never have kept one before the crash.
Report the accident to your insurance company, but do not offer assistance to the other insurance company – you should notify your insurance carrier about the accident as soon as possible with a factual summary of what happened. You do not need to volunteer any additional information at this time and should not make any statements about fault. If you are contacted by the other driver’s insurance company, you should not make any type of statement. Often these conversations will be recorded (of which you should be informed) and any remarks can be used against you at a later time to reduce the damages award.
Consult an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible – knowledgeable attorneys like those at Greer Injury Lawyers can take immediate action to build a case while you recover. This includes an independent investigation of the accident site before evidence begins to degrade.
The devastation of a bike accident may require years of medical treatment and rehabilitation before you are able to get back on your feet, let alone the open road. The skilled Tennessee motorcycle accident lawyers at Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC know how to analyze the accident and come up with solutions that work for you and your family. We are ready to sit down and talk to you at your convenience. The schedule a meeting, call (888) 470-9143. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.