- Austin - Texas
- connect@vvalenzuelalaw.com
1-512-400-4406
1-512-400-4406
1-512-400-4406
1-512-400-4406
A motorcycle accident can be overwhelming. In a matter of seconds, you may be injured, dealing with damage to your motorcycle, and trying to figure out what to do while insurance companies begin investigating what happened.
The steps you take after a crash can matter for both your health and any claim you may make later. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Austin, here are some important things to consider.
A motorcycle accident can turn your day upside down in a matter of seconds. You may be dealing with injuries, damage to your motorcycle, questions about what happened, and calls from insurance companies before you have even had time to process the crash.
The steps you take afterward can be important for both your health and any insurance claim you may make later. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Austin, here are some things to consider.
Your health should come first. Motorcycle riders have far less physical protection than people inside cars or trucks, and some injuries may not be obvious immediately after a crash.
If you are injured or something does not feel right, seek medical attention. Tell the medical provider that you were recently involved in a motorcycle accident, and keep track of where you were treated and any follow-up instructions you receive.
If you are able to do so, call law enforcement and report the crash. A police officer may document the scene, speak with the people involved, identify witnesses, and create a crash report.
However, if an officer does not come to the scene or no crash report is created, that does not necessarily mean you cannot pursue an insurance claim. Other evidence may become especially important.
If it is safe for you to do so, take photographs and video of the accident scene before vehicles are moved or conditions change.
Photograph your motorcycle, the other vehicle, damage to both vehicles, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, signs, roadway conditions, and anything else that may help show how the crash occurred.
Images taken shortly after an accident can sometimes preserve details that disappear quickly once the roadway is cleared.
If someone saw the accident, ask for that person’s name and contact information.
Independent witnesses can sometimes provide important information about what occurred, especially when the people involved disagree about how the crash happened.
Also look around for businesses, homes, traffic cameras, or other locations that may have captured the accident on video.
Be polite and cooperative, but stick to the facts. Avoid guessing about what happened, apologizing for the accident, or saying something was your fault when you may not yet have all of the information.
Statements made immediately after a crash can later be misunderstood or taken out of context.
Your motorcycle and riding equipment may be physical evidence.
Before throwing away, repairing, or replacing damaged motorcycle parts, your helmet, protective clothing, or other riding gear, consider whether those items may help answer questions about what happened during the crash.
Photograph their condition and keep them in a safe place whenever reasonably possible.
You may need to report the accident to your own insurance company. When you do, stick to the basic facts.
If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, remember that you do not have to make important decisions during the first telephone call. You may be asked about the accident, your injuries, or whether you are willing to give a recorded statement.
Take the time to understand what is being requested and why before agreeing to anything you do not fully understand.
After an accident, it may be tempting to tell friends and family what happened or post photographs online.
But insurance companies and their representatives may review publicly available social media posts. A photograph, comment, location check-in, or other post can sometimes be interpreted differently from what you intended.
For that reason, it is generally wise to avoid posting details about your accident, your injuries, or your recovery while a claim is pending.
Start a file and keep documents related to the crash.
This may include photographs, videos, witness information, crash report information, medical records, medical bills, towing receipts, motorcycle repair estimates, rental transportation expenses, insurance correspondence, and other accident-related records.
Something that does not seem important today may help answer an important question later.
Responsibility for a motorcycle accident depends on what actually happened.
Another driver may be responsible for making an unsafe left turn, changing lanes without seeing a motorcycle, running a traffic signal, following too closely, driving while distracted, or otherwise failing to operate a vehicle safely.
In some situations, responsibility may involve more than one person or company. The facts, roadway conditions, vehicles, witnesses, photographs, video, and other evidence should determine what happened—not assumptions about motorcycle riders.
Not every motorcycle accident requires hiring an attorney. However, if you suffered serious injuries, there is a dispute about who caused the crash, or an insurance company is questioning your claim, it can be helpful to understand your rights before making important decisions.
Attorney Veronica Valenzuela represents people injured in motorcycle accidents in Austin. Her experience includes previously working for an insurance company, giving her insight into how insurance claims are evaluated from both sides.
A consultation with V Valenzuela Law is free. If we accept your case, we work on a contingency fee, which means you do not pay attorney’s fees up front, and we do not collect an attorney’s fee unless we recover money for you.
Have questions after a motorcycle accident in Austin? Call V Valenzuela Law at 512-400-4406 for a free consultation.
V Valenzuela Law is an Austin-based personal injury law firm representing people injured in car, truck and motorcycle accidents.
Initial consultations are free.
This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Every accident is different, and the facts of each case matter.
