Following an accident, it is always in your best interest to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as you can to guide you through the legal process. Accidents that involve personal injury law can quickly get complicated, so it’s important to make sure that you have someone in place to look after your best interests. However, in the meantime, you need to pay attention in those moments immediately following the accident, and take the necessary steps to ensure proper documentation, preserve evidence, and identify potential witnesses. Here are some important steps you can take immediately following a motorcycle accident to preserve the integrity of your case.

Call 911

Any motorcycle accident lawyer will tell you that the most important thing to do after a motorcycle accident is to get medical attention for yourself and anyone else involved. Even if nobody is severely injured, this will get the police there as soon as possible so that a proper report of the accident, the scene, and details of the crash can be recorded. When reporting your injuries, be thorough, and don’t brush off anything, as this documentation is critical. It’s also important that you not speak to anyone besides the police about the accident, and that you only provide the facts.

Gather Information

As soon as you can, it’s important to gather information from all parties involved for your own personal records, separate from that of the police. Be sure to write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all involved parties, as well as their insurance information. It’s also a good idea to get the make, model, year, license plate number, and VIN from the other vehicle.

Preserve Any Evidence

One of the best things you can do to ensure a successful motorcycle accident claim is to take photographs at the scene, both of evidence of the accident and any injuries you or a passenger may have sustained. Be sure to take pictures of the motorcycle from several angles, noting the direction, time of day, weather, and any other pertinent details. It’s also recommended that you preserve the clothing you wore and any other remnants in case they are needed to support your case.

Touch Base with Any Witnesses

Having witnesses who are unrelated to you who are willing to testify toward your account of the accident in court can be a big boost to your case, as they are essentially a neutral third party. Have a broad view when canvassing for witnesses, as you may be able to find them on the sidewalk, in restaurants, and in various other places, and remember to record names and phone numbers.

Once you’ve done everything you can to protect yourself following an accident, it’s time to contact a motorcycle accident attorney. Not only can an attorney protect your rights, but he or she can also help ensure that you receive that best possible outcome from any pending claim or settlement.