If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may wonder what to do next. Besides seeking immediate medical attention to treat any obvious injuries, you should also contact a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer and follow these steps to ensure a stronger case. Your best chance at holding the at-fault party accountable is to be vigilant from the moment the accident occurs.

Motorcycle Accident

1. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if your injuries are minor.

Medical treatment is obviously necessary for a serious injury. But even a minor injury needs to be seen by a doctor. Most importantly, you may be suffering from shock which could disorient you or even dull the pain of an injury you can’t see. Not all injuries are visible and you could be more injured than you think. Seeking medical treatment as soon as possible is incredibly important, even if it’s just a precautionary measure.

2. Call the police immediately after the accident.

Immediately call the police to report the accident. The police will write up a report to record details of the accident creating an official record that will become vital to your case later on. Make sure police also get statements from any witnesses to the accident.

3. Don’t talk about the accident to anyone else.

After you give police a basic account of what happened, don’t talk to anyone else about the case until you’ve discussed the accident with your Tampa motorcycle accident attorney. You may be confused or upset or in pain due to injuries after the accident. This is not the time to make any official statements about what happened—especially to an insurance company— since you could make a false or confusing statement in your condition. Ultimately, whatever you say will become part of the official record of the accident case. It’s best to wait until you are calm, have sought medical treatment and have spoken with a motorcycle lawyer before you talk about the accident.

4. Take photos of the accident.

Take as many photos as you can to preserve evidence for your case. Photograph the scene of the accident, damage to your motorcycle and other property, even if you have to use the camera on your cell phone. Photos will become an important part of your case and you have a limited opportunity to gather this evidence before it disappears. Remember to have a friend take photos of your injuries as well.

5. Gather as much information as possible.

While the police will do their best to report information on your accident report, the problem is that they handle a lot of reports each day that get filed away with thousands of other reports. Take the lead in gathering information that’s important to your case. Exchange information with those who were involved in the accident. Get names, phone numbers, addresses and insurance information as well as the make, model, year, license plate and VIN number of the other vehicles. You should also get contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident. As time passes you may forget some information about the accident so it’s more important than ever to gather as many details as possible about the accident now.

6. Preserve evidence.

Keep any damaged property from the accident, like clothing, to use as evidence in the case. You should also avoid repairing your motorcycle. Keep it in the same condition as it was after the accident. This is the best way to preserve the physical evidence of the accident.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Tampa

If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle accident, contact an experienced Tampa motorcycle accident attorney at the Capaz Law Firm. We know that motorcycle accidents can be extremely devastating and life altering. The physical and emotional distress, medical costs and loss of income can be overwhelming. You need someone by your side who understands and who will fight for you. Call (813) 440-2700 for your free consultation.