After a Tampa motorcycle accident, it’s important to take specific actions to protect your health, safety, and potential personal injury claim. Seek medical attention immediately, regardless of the severity of your injuries, and call the police to report the accident. If your injuries allow, document the accident scene by taking photos and gathering information. Notify your insurance company about the incident, and consider hiring a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer.
The steps you take after a crash can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Prompt medical care, evidence collection, and legal representation strengthen your claim for compensation. A skilled attorney can manage all aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Get Immediate Medical Attention Following A Tampa Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycles barely offer any protection, so motorcyclists can sustain severe, life-altering injuries in a crash, such as:
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Lacerations
- Biker’s arm
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Nerve damage
- Chest or abdominal trauma
- Psychological trauma
For your health and well-being, you should always accept medical treatment after a Tampa motorcycle accident. Sometimes, injuries might not show symptoms until days or even weeks later. The longer you wait to see a doctor, the more serious the injuries may become. By the time a doctor addresses them, you might be looking at a longer recovery time.
On top of risking your safety, waiting to obtain medical care can be detrimental to your case. For example, the insurance company might challenge you, claiming something else caused your injuries, it’s your fault for making them worse, or your injuries must not have been serious since you delayed seeing a doctor. Prompt medical attention following a motorcycle crash will create a paper trail that shows the relationship between the accident and your injuries.
Call Law Enforcement After A Motorcycle Crash In Tampa
After a motorcycle crash, if possible, pull your bike or other vehicle to the side of the road. That way, you don’t risk being involved in another accident or blocking traffic. From there, call the police to the accident scene. They will create an accident report, which your lawyer can request a copy of later.
If, for whatever reason, they don’t complete a report, you can fill one out through the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
In any case, please ensure a police report documents the crash. According to Florida Statutes § 316.066, any crash that results in injury, death, or property damage extensive enough to make a vehicle inoperable must be reported within 10 days. Otherwise, those involved may face penalties.
Document The Motorcycle Accident Scene
If possible, document as much of the motorcycle accident scene as possible. Complete these steps if you’re able:
- Take pictures or videos of your injuries, your damaged motorcycle and other vehicles involved, and the scene from different angles. This footage will capture the traffic situation, as well as the weather and road conditions.
- Swap contact and insurance policy information with the other involved driver(s).
- Ask eyewitnesses for their names and phone numbers. Their testimony will give insight into the other party’s driving behaviors and the events that occurred before, during, and after the crash.
This information will be very helpful in building the foundation of your motorcycle accident claim.
Notify Your Insurance Company About Your Tampa Motorcycle Accident
Insurance companies determine how long you have to notify them about an accident in their policy agreement. Each has a unique deadline. Still, it’s best to contact your insurer as soon as possible. Doing so will create a record of the accident. Then, they can start investigating the motorcycle crash.
Consider Hiring A Tampa Motorcycle Accident Attorney From Our Law Firm
The stress of managing a legal case following a motorcycle accident can be too much when you’re trying to heal from your injuries and the overall trauma of what happened. The good news is that you don’t have to handle the insurance claim or legal process alone.
If you retain a Tampa personal injury lawyer from our team, they will represent and advocate for you from start to finish. The services we can offer you include:
- Getting a copy of the motorcycle crash report
- Collecting various forms of evidence
- Identifying the responsible parties
- Determining which economic and non-economic damages you can collect
- Speaking to the insurance adjuster so you don’t have to
- Fighting for a fair settlement during negotiations with the insurance company
- Fighting for you in trial if we cannot settle your case out of court
- Filing your personal injury lawsuit before the state-imposed deadline
Our help doesn’t stop at handling the legal aspects of your case. Your Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer will make themselves accessible to you. They have their personal phone number on their business card, so you can contact them anytime. They will answer all your questions and return your emails and calls promptly. On top of that, they will keep you up to date on your case’s progression.
All of this assistance will take the burden off your shoulders after a motorcycle crash. What’s more, most personal injury lawyers don’t charge any fees upfront or by the hour. Instead, your legal team will only charge a fee if and when they secure financial compensation for you. This contingency fee structure will enable your lawyer to start working on your case immediately.
Let Our Lawyers Help You After A Tampa Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle accident in Tampa, you should do all you can to keep yourself safe. Then, a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can handle everything from there.
Don’t wait to contact us. Generally speaking, the state imposes a two-year deadline for filing a lawsuit under Florida Statutes § 95.11. Reach out to us today for a free initial consultation.
We Can Help.
