What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Ohio: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ohio saw close to 19,000 motorcycle accidents in the last few years, and numbers keep rising. Additionally, more than 5,000 motorcyclists sustained life-threatening injuries. As such, whether you are a motorcyclist or pedestrian, the chances of you getting into these accidents are high.

A motorcycle accident attorney can guide you through the legal process for a legal claim. However, you can increase your chances of maximum compensation with the actions you take post-accident.

What to Do Right After an Ohio Motorcycle Accident

A motorcycle accident can have devastating consequences. Here are some steps you should take to protect your claim:

Step 1 – Remove Yourself from the Scene

Like many people, your motorcycle is your ‘baby.’ So, your first instinct may be to check on it or try to move it after the accident. However, this puts you in danger from oncoming vehicles. Many drivers may fixate on the accident and run into you. Plus, you can compromise evidence by moving the bike from the crime scene. Your insurance provider may also ask for pictures of the original crash scene.

Step 2 – Mentally Assess the Situation

Physical or emotional shock is common after a motorcycle accident. Injuries can cause physical shock called hypovolemic shock. You may get a fast pulse, pale or clammy skin, nausea, dizziness, faint, or experience respiratory distress.

Plus, emotional shock will set in once the adrenaline drains leading to shakiness and mental distress. Take deep breaths and remain calm as you wait for emergency services.

While you wait, take note of how you feel and what happened. This will help you explain your condition to medical personnel when they arrive. Sharing clear details can help them assess your injuries and provide better care. Your personal injury attorney can also use this info to determine the extent of your injuries and state.

Step 3 – Get Medical Aid

Your health should be your priority after any accident. If you are injured, call or have someone call an ambulance. Get checked out even if you feel fine. Some injuries can take several days to appear. If you wait, linking the symptoms to the accident will be difficult.

Your personal injury attorney will advise the same. Complete medical documents can strengthen your compensation claim.

Step 4 – Report the Accident

Contact the police as soon as possible after the accident. In Ohio, leaving without contacting law enforcement is illegal, even for victims. An official accident report is key evidence in motorcycle accident claims.

Additionally, responding officers will act as a neutral party to manage the situation and prevent complications. They can also help you collect information from the driver (their name, address, license and registration, phone number, etc.), which is important for your case.

Step 5 – Collect Detailed Evidence

Collect evidence from the accident scene. This includes clear pictures of the scene and witness accounts. Photos of the scene can reveal the weather during the accident, the damages, and road conditions. This includes skid marks, road signs, gravel condition, and anything else that can strengthen your claim.

Plus, even if other people didn’t see the accident, they may have seen the events leading up to it. Such witness statements may corroborate your case if it goes to trial or if defendants fail to accept liability.

To recap:

These are critical steps to maintain a legal claim in case of injuries and damages. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you put them together to determine liability and compensation.

Why You Should Get Legal Support after a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle injuries can lead to high medical bills and lost wages during recovery and cause pain and suffering. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help with your legal claim by:

Calculate Damages

A bike accident can have far-reaching repercussions on a victim’s life. Your attorney can determine and calculate current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and long-term challenges in case of disabilities. A thorough evaluation can cover potential losses during claim filing.

Negotiate Compensation

Insurance companies do not work in your best interests, irrespective of their claims. Their settlement offers are often much lower than what their policyholder demands. They offer low-ball offers to reduce payouts and protect their financial assets. However, your attorney can negotiate compensation on your behalf as per losses.

Determine Fault

Ohio is an ‘at-fault’ state. This means drivers who cause accidents are responsible for damages. If proven, victims can get compensation from their insurance company and pursue legal action if denied. Your attorney may be able to determine fault by proving negligence using evidence outlined in the previous section.

Represent You in Court

Your lawyer can represent you in court if negotiations fall through. This includes presenting evidence from the accident scene for meaningful compensation.

Book a Consultation with HNB Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Motorcyclists are at higher risk of getting seriously injured or killed in a road accident. You aren’t reckless for riding on two wheels and deserve compensation for injuries. We understand that!

Book a Consultation with Horenstein, Nicholson & Blumenthal motorcycle accident attorneys.

Contact us for a free case review to learn about your options today! We serve all of Ohio and can come to you at home or in the hospital. Get the peace of mind and security you deserve.