The warm weather coupled with endless traffic congestion makes motorcycles a popular form of transportation in Orlando. The Sunshine State also attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world who want to be part of Bike Week or simply enjoy the endless opportunities to take a scenic ride while on vacation. However, the sheer number of motorcycles on Florida’s roadways also contributes to Florida topping the list for motorcycle accident injuries and fatalities each year. If you were involved in an Orlando motorcycle accident, you need to know what to do to ensure that your injuries are properly treated and your right to recover damages from an at-fault party is protected.
Orlando Motorcycle Accidents
Figures published by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) indicate that there were 480 motorcycle crashes in Orange County in 2021. Those motorcycle collisions caused 411 injuries, 28 of which were fatal. Throughout the State of Florida, FHSMV data tells us that an average of almost 8,700 motorcycle crashes occur each year, causing over 500 deaths.
What to Do after an Orlando Motorcycle Accident
Knowing what to do – and what not to do – when involved in an Orlando motorcycle accident is the key to holding at-fault parties accountable and achieving a full physical, emotional, and financial recovery. With that in mind, the following list should help you successfully navigate the time period following an Orlando motorcycle accident:
- Prevent further injury. The risk of a secondary collision is always a concern following an accident. Motorcyclists, however, are particularly at risk because they are more difficult for motorists to see in the roadway, making a second collision even more likely. If you are physically able to move off and away from the roadway, do so immediately.
- Call 911. Even if you do not believe you or your motorcycle suffered injury/damage in the accident, call 911 anyway. The police can direct traffic to prevent additional injuries and submit an official report documenting the collision. Although law enforcement officers do not determine fault in a civil lawsuit, they may cite another driver for anything from a broken taillight to driving under the influence. That information may ultimately be important if you pursue a motorcycle accident lawsuit. The report may also contain important information regarding involved drivers and witnesses.
- Document the accident. While making a police report is important, do not count entirely on that report to document the accident. If your injuries allow, take pictures of the scene of the accident, all vehicles involved, and any road conditions or circumstances that may have contributed to the crash. Also, get the names and contact information for involved drivers and witnesses. Continue to document your medical treatment, financial losses, and emotional trauma during the healing process.
- Submit to a medical examination. Go directly to the nearest hospital, by ambulance, or have someone drive you for a complete medical examination. Many motorcycle accident injuries do not manifest immediate symptoms. Whiplash typically doesn’t present symptoms for 24-48 hours. A traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common and extremely serious motorcycle accident injury, will also frequently take a day or two before symptoms become obvious. In the intervening time period, TBI can rapidly worsen, causing swelling of the brain and even death if left undiagnosed and untreated. Not only is it imperative that you seek immediate medical attention to ensure that your injuries are diagnosed and treated, but it also provides a documented connection between your injuries and the motorcycle accident.
- Contact your insurance company. Contact your insurance company as soon after the motorcycle accident as possible and report the crash. Hold off giving a formal statement, however, until you have consulted with an Orlando motorcycle accident attorney.
- Consult with Orlando motorcycle accident attorneys. If you believe that the accident was caused, in whole or in part, by another party (or parties), you should consult with an experienced Orlando motorcycle accident attorney before talking to insurance adjusters. Whether the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver or by the city’s failure to properly maintain the roadway, you need to consult with an attorney before discussing the accident with anyone else.
Get Help from Experienced Orlando Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you were injured in an Orlando motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation from anyone who caused or contributed to the collision. At Bailey Fisher, we are committed to aggressively pursuing compensation for victims injured in a motorcycle accident. We work tirelessly to identify all at-fault parties and hold those parties legally accountable for the physical, financial, and emotional injuries suffered by a victim.
Call us at 407-628-2929 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Orlando motorcycle accident attorneys will evaluate your case for free. For viable personal injury cases, we will follow up with the necessary legal action to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence and recover the financial compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and losses.