What Should I Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident in Pennsylvania?

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Reading, PA, there are some steps you need to take immediately to ensure your safety and preserve future legal claims. Consider taking the following five steps right after a motorcycle crash in Pennsylvania and calling (888) CYCLE-LAW to obtain free and confidential legal advice exclusively for motorcyclists.

Step 1: Get to Safety

Many Reading motorcycle accidents occur in busy outlet intersections or on high-traffic roadways. In such cases, it’s essential to ensure that all involved parties and vehicles are safe. This both protects injured riders from secondary damage, such as being run over and prevents third-party accidents and potential liability. An attorney can always help you obtain witness testimony and video evidence to reconstruct the crash, but nothing is more important than your safety and the safety of others after a motor vehicle collision.

Step 2: Call the Police

Under 75 Pa. C.S. § 3746, you must contact local police immediately if the accident involves any injury to any person. This includes minor injuries such as road rash and major injuries such as brain trauma and spinal cord damage. You must also contact the police if either vehicle cannot be safely operated and requires towing. Obtaining a police report is critical for preserving future legal cases, filing an insurance claim, and preventing the other driver from blaming you for the crash.

Step 3: Gather Critical Evidence

If you’re medically able to do so, consider gathering the following evidence while waiting for the police:

• Photographs of the scene and vehicle damage
• Witness contact information
• Driver identification
• Vehicle insurance information
• License plate number

You might also consider taking photographs of local businesses near the accident scene that might have CCTV footage of the crash. The quicker you preserve evidence of driver liability, the more likely it is that a motorcycle injury lawyer can obtain a valuable insurance settlement for you.

Step 4: Obtain Post-Accident Medical Attention

Pennsylvania motorcyclists are 38 times more likely than vehicle occupants to suffer a fatal accident injury. They are also disproportionally subject to sustaining serious, and often latent (delayed), injuries after Reading traffic crashes. If you did not immediately present to the ER after a motorcycle accident, consider going to a local walk-in clinic or your primary care doctor for a full checkup. Latent injuries such as brain hemorrhages can manifest hours and even days after the initial crash. Further, you cannot obtain personal injury damages without evidence linking your injuries directly to the motorcycle crash.

Step 5: Contact an Exclusive Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Reading

At the Cycle Attorney, our passionate motorcycle lawyers have over 30 years of experience handling motorcycle injury cases. We dedicated our practice to fighting for the rights of seriously injured riders in Reading and might accept your case without charging any upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs. If you’re not sure what to do immediately after a motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania, call our office for free advice at (888) CYCLE-LAW.