A Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Explains What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Philadelphia and a Step-by-Step Guide

Motorcycle accidents are traumatic and painful experiences. After suffering injuries in a motorcycle crash, your thoughts may turn towards where to go from here. Protecting your health and your legal options are among the most important reasons to have a plan when it comes to dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident. Your ability to recover from your injuries and to preserve any potential legal claim depends upon the decisions you make immediately following your accident. Contacting Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. means that you are taking the first step towards good decision-making after a motorcycle accident. A Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer understands the challenges that come with motorcycle accident claims. Our team of legal professionals is dedicated to helping our clients recover maximum compensation after a motorcycle accident. We are proud of our successes, achieved on behalf of our clients. Working with Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., means receiving personalized attention. We do not take for granted the ability to serve our clients. To learn about the differences between our office and other Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyers, contact us today. 

Call the Police to the Scene

First, if you can, it is best to call the police to the scene of the accident. This is especially true if you or any other person appears to have been significantly injured. There are a number of reasons why contacting the police is essential after being injured in a motorcycle accident. Police can ensure that the accident scene is secure and that no one else is injured. Additionally, the police will create an accident report that can be used as evidence in a future injury claim or legal case. 

Seek Out Witnesses

Next, seek out any witnesses who saw what happened in your accident to gather a statement. Having seen what happened on a firsthand basis, a witness statement can be an invaluable tool to utilize in your claim or legal case. When surveying the scene after an accident, be sure to look out for motorists or pedestrians who may have been involved in the accident. The sooner, the better, when it comes to witness testimony. The longer you wait to try and seek out a witness statement, the more likely it is that their memory has begun to fade. 

Take Photographs of the Accident Scene

Taking photographs of the accident scene is a step that many people overlook after being involved in a motorcycle accident. The more detailed your photos, the more impactful they become. All vehicles involved in the accident, their license plates, the area where the accident took place, and the conditions of the street should be documented as best as you can. Taking photos ensures that you have an accurate record for future reference. 

Exchange Contact Information, But Limit What You Say To The Other Driver

If you are physically able to do so, exchange insurance and contact information with the other drivers involved in the motorcycle accident. 

• While you may be upset at what occurred, it is recommended that you act politely.
• Collect the necessary information to contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company. 
• If law enforcement has been contacted, then the exchange of insurance information will be overseen by the officer who arrives at the scene of the accident. 

Avoid spending time discussing the accident with the other drivers. Checking to see if anyone is injured and exchanging contact information should be all you discuss with the other drivers. A critical point that Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., encourages people to consider is that you should not apologize for the accident. Allow the insurance companies and the law to determine fault for the accident. 

Finally, keep in mind that now that you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, there may be a legal case coming up. Insurance companies or attorneys for the at-fault driver will look for evidence that could be used to contest fault for the accident. If you were to post something on social media that admits fault or doubt about the accident, then that may upend your entire claim or case. The bottom line? It’s better to stay off social media for the duration of your case. 

Seek Medical Care Immediately 

Motorcycle accidents are among the most severe that any motorist could experience. The speed and force of a motorcycle accident are the same as with two-vehicle accidents. However, the key difference is that a motorcyclist has their entire body exposed to the full force of that impact. This tends to result in motorcyclists suffering more severe injuries. When you suffer significant injuries, it is critical that you think about medical care first and foremost. 

Even if you believe that your injuries are minor, it is still important for you to get checked out by a medical professional. Many times, severe injuries appear minor on the day of the accident, only to reveal themselves in full in the following days. By seeking immediate medical care, you can establish that the injuries suffered in the motorcycle accident were not pre-existing or caused by any other condition other than the accident itself. 

The longer you wait to seek medical care, the worse it is for you, physically and legally. Delays in receiving medical care allow insurance companies to potentially argue that there is another cause of your injuries, other than the motorcycle accident. This weakens your case even if the insurance company has already accepted fault for the accident. 

Follow Up On Medical Care As Needed

The path your medical care takes after a motorcycle accident depends upon your specific circumstances. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., does not direct the medical care of his clients. Rather, our team of legal professionals supports our clients as they seek the most appropriate medical care for their circumstances. Importantly, we work alongside our clients as they recover from their injuries. 

Medical appointments should not be missed unless necessary. Physical or occupational therapy is not always enjoyable. However, the benefits of receiving consistent care for your injuries cannot be understated. Going to your doctor’s visits increases the likelihood that you will recover sooner from those injuries. Put your health first during your legal case. Our office is here to guide you through the legal process so that you can make the best decisions possible for yourself. 

When your injuries and medical treatment are ultimately submitted to an insurance company for compensation consideration, significant gaps in treatment are looked upon negatively. These missed appointments allow an insurance company to argue that your injuries were not that severe or that your medical appointments were not necessary. Keeping a record of your appointments and even your diagnoses can help you to stay involved in your treatment, as well. 

Building A Strong Recovery Plan After A Motorcycle Accident

Being injured in a motorcycle accident means having a plan geared towards recovery, from a health and damages point of view. Your health can recover best when you seek appropriate and consistent medical care. Damage recovery depends upon your ability to argue successfully that your injuries, medical treatment, and lost wages were all caused by the motorcycle crash. 

There is no substitute for working with an experienced Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer. There are complex portions of a motorcycle accident case that require a skilled and detail-oriented approach. The better prepared you are for your case, the greater the likelihood you have of recovering maximum compensation. It is possible to be caught by surprise and then injured in a motorcycle accident. However, it is difficult to be caught by surprise during your legal case and still recover a fair amount of damages. 

Instead of hoping that you have made the right decision when it comes to legal representation, consider making a call to Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. We are proud of the accomplishments earned on behalf of our clients. We serve people injured in motorcycle accidents both inside and outside the courtroom. When you are injured and need someone to have your back, know that Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., is here for you. 

Contact A Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer At Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. For A Free Consultation

Don’t settle for just any lawyer to represent you after a motorcycle crash. Insist on the best. Philadelphia motorcycle accident lawyer Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., offers free consultations to people injured in motorcycle accidents. We can answer your questions and help you gain valuable information regarding motorcycle accident claims. We fight for our clients’ legal rights, and we would be honored to do the same for you.