Stop means stop, right?
1 truck driver in Warren, Ohio apparently didn’t get the memo. After running a stop sign, the truck struck a 16-year-old boy riding his dirt bike. The impact of the crash knocked the dirt bike rider unconscious and caused several major injuries.
Hopefully, you never have to experience a dirt bike accident. However, rather than waiting to see what happens, why not empower yourself by learning what steps to take post-crash?
Don’t let life catch you by surprise. Read on to learn exactly what steps to follow after a bike accident.
Do a Safety Check
First, immediately following your dirt bike accident, take a moment to assess your surroundings. Without moving, look around to see if you’re in a safe place. Were you riding on a dirt bike track?
If yes, your first goal should be getting yourself (not your bike) to a safe location. If you’re already in a safe spot, you’re ready to move on to step 2.
Check for Injuries
Now that you’re in a safe location, you need to do a full-body scan to check for injuries. When you’re checking for injuries, go slowly. Don’t try to make any movements that cause you pain, and instead, just take a mental note of what hurts.
Finally, take a second to see if your brain is working properly. Can you remember what day it is or where you’re at? If you’re having trouble thinking clearly, you might have suffered a concussion.
Seek Treatment
You might be hesitant to seek treatment after your dirt bike accident, however seeing a health care professional is always a good idea. Even a minor wreck can result in severe injuries.
Sometimes the injuries don’t surface for days, weeks, or months. By immediately seeking medical attention, you’ll have a better chance of lessening the impact an injury will have on you.
Gather Evidence
Did someone else hit you, causing your bike accident? Or was there some type of debris on the track that didn’t belong there? If you believe someone else is liable for your accident, you’ll want to gather as much evidence as possible.
Take Photos
Photos are one of the best types of evidence you can gather. Photograph the position of your bike post-crash, as well as anything that contributed to the crash.
For instance, did another vehicle hit you? Get photos of the other vehicle, as well as any damage to the other vehicle. Lastly, you should also take photos of your injuries.
Find Witnesses
Scan the scene of the crash for any potential witnesses. Ask witnesses for their contact information so your accident lawyer can follow up with them later. If someone else hits you, get their full name, and contact information.
Call the Police
Finally, you might also need to call the police. For instance, if someone hits you with their car, causing you to crash, you need to call the cops. Having a police report can go a long way towards helping you receive a fair injury settlement.
Recover From Your Dirt Bike Accident
We sincerely hope you never have to experience a dirt bike accident. However, now if you do get into a crash, you’ll know exactly what steps to take. For more ways to prepare for life’s unexpected events, read another one of our articles.