How to Protect Yourself Legally After a Crash
You’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident on one of Texas’s many highways. Chances are your injuries are serious, even potentially catastrophic. The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of the wreck can make a significant difference in your financial recovery. What do you need to do to protect yourself legally if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash in Texas that was caused by the negligence of another driver?
Your First Priority—Your Health
The most important thing to consider in the wake of a crash is your health. Do a self-assessment of your injuries. If you have any type of injury to your neck, head, or back, stay right where you are until an emergency responder arrives, provided you can do so without putting yourself at further risk. Head, neck, and back injuries can easily be aggravated by unnecessary movement. An emergency responder will know how to determine the extent of your injury and whether you need immediate and specialized care. Be willing to travel to the hospital by ambulance if the EMT determines that would be in your best interest.
Even if you are able to walk away from the crash, seek medical attention as soon as possible, either at a local hospital emergency room, an urgent care facility, or the offices of your primary care physician. The sooner you get medical care, the better, as medical professionals will be able to clearly identify the injuries caused by the motorcycle accident.
Be certain to tell medical professionals about everything that seems out of the ordinary. Don’t focus on obvious injuries, such as lacerations or broken bones, and neglect to mention the stiffness in your back or neck. Often, the injuries that can be the most debilitating over the long run are ones that are not immediately apparent.
Ask doctors and nurses to document everything in writing. That can make a big difference if your case goes to trial.
Gather Information If You Can
While you’re still at the scene, if possible, ask for contact information from anyone involved in the accident, as well as anyone who may have witnessed the crash. This will help your attorney find them and gather evidence to support your claims. This includes name, address, phone number, and email address, if possible.
It can also be helpful to take pictures of the scene of the accident. The camera on your phone is fine. Get shots of anything relevant to the crash, including damage to vehicles, your injuries, road conditions, and any weather conditions that may have contributed to the wreck.
Hire a Knowledgeable Attorney
The sooner you hire proven legal counsel, the better you’ll be able to protect your rights. Your attorney can be your liaison with insurance companies and can make certain you don’t do or say anything that might compromise your claim.
Contact the Aggressive Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At Bailey & Galyen, we have fought to protect the rights of personal injury victims in Texas for more than four decades, including people who have suffered any type of injury while operating or riding a motorcycle. Over the past 40+ years, we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. We have a comprehensive understanding of both the causes of a motorcycle crash and the potential injuries.
Our attorneys can help you seek full and fair compensation for your losses. Contact us by e-mail or call our offices. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
