Steps to Take After a Florida Motorcycle Accident

Getting into a motorcycle accident in Florida can be a frightening and confusing experience. You may have suffered serious or debilitating injuries only to run into problems recovering fair compensation from an automobile insurance provider. Taking the right steps and contacting a Tampa personal injury lawyer after your motorcycle crash can help ensure the protection of your physical well-being and legal rights.

Check for Injuries

Try to remain calm and take a moment to assess yourself for injuries before jumping to your feet. Stay where you are unless you need to move for your own safety. Moving too suddenly after a motorcycle accident could exacerbate an injury, such as making a spinal cord injury worse.

Look for signs of an injury, such as pain, bleeding, swelling, tingling, numbness or bruising. Keep in mind that your adrenaline from the motorcycle accident may act as a temporary pain reliever.

Seek Medical Care

If you sustained serious injuries or it is an emergency, request an ambulance immediately. Otherwise, visit the nearest hospital or emergency room for a prompt health check. A doctor can provide a full physical examination and tests such as x-rays to detect any injuries.

Prompt medical care is critical for your physical safety but it is also important for the insurance process. If you wait too long to see a doctor, an automobile insurance company may use this against you to try to blame you for the extent of your injuries. Collect copies of your medical records and bills after receiving treatment.

Call the Police

Immediately after the crash, call 911 to report it to law enforcement. Crash reporting is mandatory in Florida for most motorcycle accidents, as the law requires vehicle operators to report any collision that results in injury, death or at least $500 in property damage. Do not admit fault for the accident. Ask for your police report number before the officer leaves.

Gather Information

While you are still at the scene of the accident, do your best to collect information and evidence. Start by exchanging names, phone numbers, vehicle information and insurance details with the other motorist involved. Take photographs of the scene of the motorcycle accident. If there are any witnesses, get their names and phone numbers.

Notify Your Own Insurance Company

Florida is a no-fault state. Under this insurance law, each party involved in a motor vehicle accident in Tampa is responsible for filing a claim with his or her own automobile insurance company. It does not matter who is at fault for the crash – all parties must file first-party claims. However, insurance is not mandatory for motorcyclists under Florida law.

Florida’s personal injury protection (PIP) insurance requirement only applies to vehicles with four or more wheels. If you do not have insurance at the time of your motorcycle accident, file a claim with the other driver’s car insurance provider. If you do have insurance but your injuries meet the tort threshold, a third-party claim could still lead to a greater financial recovery.

Consult With a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Recovering fair financial compensation for your motorcycle accident can be difficult under Florida’s insurance laws. You could make a common mistake that jeopardizes your ability to achieve a just settlement, such as waiting too long to file, giving a recorded statement to an insurance company, posting on social media or accepting the first settlement offer.

The best way to protect yourself is by consulting with a motorcycle accident attorney in Tampa as soon as possible. During a free case consultation, you can explain your situation and receive personalized legal advice on how to move forward with a claim. If an attorney believes you could benefit from legal services, he or she can help you negotiate with an insurer or bring your case to trial in pursuit of the results that you deserve.