As of 2021, the United States is home to over 8.5 million registered on-road motorcycles. Of that number, 380,830 are in Texas alone. That makes it the fifth state with the most registered motorcycles.
So, it’s also no wonder thousands of Lone Star State motorcyclists get into crashes yearly. In 2021, 2,318 of them sustained severe injuries after getting into a motorcycle accident.
With motorcycle incidents being so prevalent, it pays to know the steps to take if you ever get involved in one. We’ll tell you about them below, so please read on.
Stop
In Texas, anyone operating a vehicle involved in a road incident must stop at the scene. They must then confirm everyone potentially involved in the incident. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment/confinement, or both.
So if you crash into another vehicle while riding your motorcycle, please remain at the scene. Do this no matter how minor you think the incident is.
Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
Traumatic experiences, including road incidents, can result in a temporary, superhuman-like strength. It’s a natural bodily response triggered by an influx of fight-or-flight hormones. Unfortunately, it can mask pain, making you feel numb enough to think you don’t have injuries.
So, following a crash, please check yourself from head to toe to see if you’ve sustained injuries. If not, ask everyone else involved in the crash and determine if they need medical help. Then, call 911 if anyone does.
Call the Police
Please call 911 if a crash results in an injury or fatality.
For non-emergency police service in Houston, dial (713) 884-3131. You can contact this number if:
- You can’t move the involved vehicles, including your motorcycle
- There’s an intoxicated driver involved
- There’s an uninsured or underinsured driver
- One of the other drivers flees the scene
It’s also wise to call the police if one of the drivers appears violent. The officers can help prevent more injuries from occurring.
Gather Pertinent Information
You can exchange contact details with the other drivers while waiting for the police. They should include names, addresses, contact numbers, and insurance information.
It’s best to ask the other drivers if you can see their driver’s licenses and insurance policy copies. That way, you can determine if they’re even licensed and insured.
Take as many photos and videos of the incident too, including your motorcycle and the other cars. If possible, talk to witnesses and get their contact details.
Seek Medical and Legal Help
Once the police tell you that you can go, head to the nearest emergency department. Please do this even if you don’t have visible injuries; many crash injuries are internal.
Then, call a motorcycle accident lawyer to assist you in filing a personal injury claim.
If you hire an attorney, you can get the help you need to pursue the compensation you deserve. It may include recovery for medical expenses, property damage, and loss of income, to name a few.
Protect Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident
Please remember that a motorcycle accident can result in debilitating, even deadly, injuries. From traumatic brain injuries to fractures, all these can arise from such incidents.
So if you ever get involved in such an incident, seek medical help ASAP. Then, hire a motorcycle accident attorney to represent you and fight for your rights.
Have you or a loved one already been in a road incident in Houston and would like to hire an attorney? If so, the West Loop Law Office legal team can help. Call us now for a free consultation.