/ Featured Article
Keep these things in mind in the event of a motorcycle accident
Keep a level head in the event you go down.
It’s one of the most dreaded aspects of motorcycling, yet a reality all motorcyclists face on a daily basis. Some people say that it isn’t a matter of if, but rather when you and your beloved motorcycle go down. However, we firmly believe that steps can be taken to avoid getting into an accident. That being said, if you do find yourself involved in a motorcycle accident, it can be all too easy to become overwhelmed and miss out on a few important steps to ensure everything is accounted for.
Today, let’s talk about something that’s pretty hard to swallow, but nonetheless, essential. As much as we hate to have to dwell on the thought of a spill, it’s always best to be prepared for whatever the road throws at us. As such, let’s break down what exactly you should do if you get into a motorcycle accident.
Don’t rush to get up
In the event of a spill, it can be all too easy to spring back up to your feet without having fully assessed the situation. We strongly advise against this, as doing so could further aggravate any injuries sustained from the initial fall. Scrapes, lacerations, dislocated or broken bones can get even worse if you move suddenly after falling. Instead, if you happen to find yourself in a crash and are conscious after going down, take a deep breath and make sure you’re alright. Look around you, and try to scan your body to feel if everything feels okay. If you feel dizzy, groggy, or spaced out, chances are you hit your head when you crashed, so it’s best to stay on the ground and wait for help to arrive.
Assess the damage
Assuming your crash wasn’t too bad, and you’re certain that you’re unhurt, the next step would be to slowly get back on your feet and make a thorough assessment of the situation. Was there anyone else involved? Is anyone else hurt or injured?Whose fault was it? Is your motorcycle still rideable? Try to figure out the answers to all these questions. At this point, it can be all too easy to let your temper get the better of you. In that case, stop, take a deep breath, and look at things from an objective viewpoint. Nobody wanted this to happen, and losing your temper will only aggravate the situation.
Gather information
The next step would be gathering all the information relating to the accident. Take note of the exact place and time the incident took place. Get the information of all other people involved in the accident. In doing so, remember to be polite and courteous when asking for the identification of other people involved. Make sure to take photos of the accident scene, as well as the license plate or conduction stickers of the vehicles involved in the accident. If the authorities have arrived, cooperate with them as they try to gather information regarding the incident, too. If the local police or traffic management is present, chances are that an ambulance and medical staff have already been dispatched. Wait for them to arrive and allow them to assess your physical condition.
Contact your insurance provider
The last step would be contacting your insurance as you see fit. If it’s just a minor self-accident, and you’re certain that you’ll be able to handle repairs yourself, you may opt to skip this step. However, if other people are involved and damage to property belonging to other people other than yourself has been sustained, it may be best to contact your insurance, assuming of course, you’re covered by a comprehensive insurance plan.
Conclusion
Regardless of what happens, be ready to spend a good amount of money in the event of an accident. Even if you’re covered by comprehensive insurance, there are still costs which you have to keep in mind, such as replacing your damaged riding gear, covering for the participation fee of your insurance, or worse, the total cost of repair in the event you aren’t covered. Having said all that, we’ve discussed accident prevention in great detail in many of our previous articles. As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure, so it’s always best to ride safe, smart, and defensively, rather than having to deal with the repercussions of an accident.
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