After a crash, if you are injured, call for an ambulance. If the scene is secure and you feel up to it, it’s a good idea to collect evidence. Take photos and get witness contact information.
If your crash was caused by a careless driver, you should discuss your case with a California motorcycle accident attorney to find out what your injuries are worth. It’s also the best way to keep a car insurance company from limiting the support you earn in a settlement check.
Highway 180 Motorcycle Accident Dangers
Highway 180 is a beloved route for motorcyclists wanting to take on some curves in the mountain air. It runs from the San Joaquin Valley, through Fresno, and up into Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park.
Unfortunately, the wide-open backdrop comes along with its share of careless drivers. Drivers who may be staring at their phones or going too fast can overlook riders until it’s too late to prevent a dangerous collision. Truck drivers at the wheel of heavy and massive loads can veer over, missing a rider in the rear-view mirror.
Riders can be sent to the road surface and suffer broken bones, brain trauma, and even fatal wounds.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Highway 180 Motorcycle Accident
California personal injury laws hold drivers and their car insurance providers responsible for the accidents they cause. However, insurance adjusters have gotten good at finding ways to blame motorcyclists for impacts. They also know how to leave riders with less than the support they need to fully recover.
Injured motorcyclists will need the strongest evidence available to fight back. A lawyer can help gather and present the evidence, but a lawyer can’t be there in the moments after a collision. They won’t be able to access some of the evidence that’s cleaned up after a scene is cleared.
If you are forced into an accident, see to your safety first. If you are left in the path of traffic, try to get out of the lanes. Then, check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries.
Call 911 and request an ambulance if anyone is hurt.
Once the scene is secure, if you left strong enough, consider gathering these details and more:
- Tell the responding California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer everything you can remember about how your accident unfolded.
- Pull out your cell phone and take pictures. Show the damage to your motorcycle, clothing, and helmet. Take pictures of any visible injuries, including road rash, and damage to your clothing.
- Get contact information from witnesses. Your California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer will be reaching out to them for testimony.
- Exchange information with the driver involved if the CHP officer doesn’t provide it to you.
- Afterward, don’t dispose of your damaged clothing and shoes. It will all serve as powerful visual evidence of what you were put through.
- Alert your motorcycle accident insurance company about what happened.
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor. Get all injuries documented. Pay special attention to any pain that arises after the shock of your incident wears off. You may have injuries you weren’t aware of immediately after the crash. Do everything your doctor recommends. Save all medical invoices.
Your Maison Law lawyer can take this evidence and the proof they’ve gathered to build a strong case for you. If you suffer a serious injury, our lawyers can often secure much more for your recovery than you’d have a chance of securing for yourself.
Contact a California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Contact Maison Law to talk with a real lawyer about your options in a free consultation. You’ll learn what your injury is worth and how to secure the compensation you need for a full recovery. There’s no obligation, but if you feel we can earn you much more for your claim, you’ll need no upfront money to hire Maison Law. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement that the insurer must pay you.
