Nobody wants to get hurt; the overwhelming majority of motorcycle riders practice the necessary precautions on the road. However, motorcyclists are still involved in collisions through no fault of their own because other motorists fail to see their motorcycles on the road. It’s not uncommon for car drivers to lose focus on the road and accidentally crash into a motorcycle as they “didn’t see them .” And since motorcycles are smaller in size and can easily hide in a vehicle’s blind spot, riders should pay extra attention to the road and their surroundings.
Alberta, for one, has seen an increase in the number of motorcycle accidents across the province, with the majority of accidents taking place on rural roads surrounding Edmonton and Calgary. Unfortunately, the victims of motorcycle accidents were seriously injured in the collisions, as most motorcycle accident victims are. While you might abide by all the rules and regulations when driving to your destination, you might still find yourself a victim of an accident due to the impaired and reckless driving of other motorists on the road.
If you or your loved one is a victim of a serious motorcycle accident, you have the legal right to file a claim for your injuries. Read the following tips to help you avoid further injuries and receive the compensation you deserve.
How To Avoid Further Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident?
Get Out Of Danger
After a motorcycle collision, you must get to safety immediately. Whether on a highway or a side road, analyze your surroundings and any potential threats you might face and avoid staying on the roadway. Most drivers maintain a minimum of 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead, which should give them plenty of time to hit the brakes or avoid any further collision, but in case drivers aren’t paying attention to the road or don’t have enough time to brake, try to get away from oncoming traffic as soon as possible. If other people are involved in the accident, help them get to safety, but only if this doesn’t endanger you further.
Don’t Take Off Your Gear
Victims of motorcycle accidents will almost always experience an intense adrenaline rush that will likely prevent them from feeling any injuries. Whether or not you’re feeling any pain, it’s crucial to keep your gear on and avoid moving around until the paramedics arrive at the scene of the accident. You might feel alright for a while, but you never know what type of injuries you have sustained, so keeping your gear on is essential to avoid making any injuries worse. Even if you’ve been in a “minor” collision and don’t feel any impact or injuries on your body, don’t take off your safety gear.
Seek Medical Attention
Keeping your gear on and staying in one place will likely prevent injuries from worsening, but it’s not enough to treat them. Once you have safely gotten off the road, dial 911 and wait for the paramedics and police to arrive. At James H. Brown and Associates, we have seen many cases where victims “don’t feel injured” and avoid seeking medical attention after an accident, only to realize a few hours, days or even weeks later that their body needs medical care. After the paramedics have examined you thoroughly, you should follow up with your family doctor to ensure that your injuries are treated properly. If you’re feeling any pain or discomfort days or weeks after the accident, make sure to visit the ER. Many symptoms of catastrophic injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) or Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) can arise after a few hours or even a couple of days, so make sure to closely monitor any physical changes and visit the Emergency Room if the pain persists.
Learn More About Your Compensation Rights with James H. Brown
If you’re unsure whether your injury qualifies for a personal injury claim, contact James H. Brown today for a free consultation with one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers. You can also read about How to Get the Compensation You Deserve After a Motorcycle Accident in the next part of our blog!
