Dealing With a Motorcycle Crash
posted in Maintenance |It’s a fact of life: there are accidents involved with motorcycles every year with more motorcyclists lying in the hospital or worse. No matter how safe you drive, getting in an accident with a motorcycle is always a possibility every time you get on your bike. If you do some preparation now, you’ll be better equipped when (or if) you ever find yourself in a motorcycle accidentNegligence is the common cause of accidents involving motorcycles. Since they are small compared to typical vehicles on the road, they can easily be maneuvered within traffic and can hit another vehicle at a very fast speed. Most motorists who are unable to stop just in time can meet an unfortunate collision. Weather also plays an important role in the safety of the bikers. Rain, snow, blizzard and other weather conditions leave hazardous roads not only for this two-wheeled vehicle but for all types of vehicles as well. The wheels of the motorcycle are always in a weak position whenever the road is slippery, making bikers accident-prone. Whatever reason for the mishap - the motorcycle riders are usually always left with the damages. These include physical damages such as bone injuries and bruises, as well as property damage brought about by the collision of both parties.Perhaps when you encounter an accident like this, the last thing on your mind is to fill out necessary forms and reports and undergo police investigations asking about the incident. However, after a biker would brush off all the dust and debris from the collision, he must immediately assess himself on how much damage the accident caused him. This is where you start thinking of how to deal with the aftermath of the accident.First off, keep a clear record in your mind of all the scratches, bruises, broken bones, and other injuries in case you have to file a compensation claim against the other party, especially if you know that the crash is not your fault but the other party’s. It is your civil and legal right to have a compensation claim. It would help you get reimbursements of the money you’ve paid or will pay for hospital bills. It would also help you calculate the approximate loss of earnings if you will be unable to go to work because of the accident. Also, you could get a clear idea of the damages to your motorcycle and motorcycle accessories.Secondly, whether you caused the accident or not, it is your duty to report the situation to a highway patrol officer or state trooper officer at once. Then, recall what exactly happened before and during the collision. It is very important to make this call because some states suspend driver’s licenses if they discover that you did not make a report by the time the accident happened.Thirdly, you need to take into account not only the damage done to the motorcycle, but also any damage done to accessories damaged in the accident such as motorcycle saddle bags. If you think that the destructed property value is more than $500, you must also make an effort to report to the department of motor vehicles in your state - even if takes you a day or two to do so. Don’t rely on hearsays or second hand information especially since procedures are different from one state to another.Fourthly, regardless of whose fault the accident was, bear in mind that the department of motor vehicles in your state could check not only your injuries and damaged properties but also the type of insurance protection you had during the time of the motorcycle crash. This is why it is advisable to have proper insurance coverage before hitting the roads with a motorcycle. Aside from all these, motorcycle accidents, in general, would also mean a permanent record in your driving profile.Given all this, one can safely say that riding a motorcycle is truly a very serious business. Undergo proper training on motorcycle driving and always wear proper equipment such as helmets before attempting to get out on the road.