What Evidence Should I Gather After a Chicago Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcycle accidents in Chicago can be some of the most devastating accidents, often resulting in serious injuries and the loss of life. For victims, it often means proving that someone else is at fault, even when police and others may label you as a dangerous driver. The more evidence you gather after a Chicago motorcycle accident, the easier it is for you to prove who is at fault and what they owe you for your losses. A Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer can assist with your case.

Evidence at the Scene of a Chicago Motorcycle Crash

One of the most important first steps to take after a motorcycle crash is to call 911. As you do that, move yourself out of the way of further injury and harm, but avoid leaving the scene. Riders with serious injuries should prioritize their well-being and follow the medical dispatcher’s directions. 

When it is safe to do so, take action to gather evidence from the scene. If you were a motorcycle passenger involved in an accident, you should also take the same steps and, when possible, document what you experienced and observed, as your perspective can provide valuable supporting evidence for a claim.

Some of the details that may be valuable to you include:

• Damage to your motorcycle and other assets, including the layout, type of damage, and debris from it
• Damage to the other vehicle, including photos demonstrating debris and the positioning of the other vehicle
• Photos demonstrating your injuries after the accident
• Video of the surrounding area that shows where the accident occurred, weather and road conditions, and any debris present

These details may help investigators build your case later by showing what likely occurred to result in those images. When possible, turn on your video camera and just record what is happening, including what people say or do. A Chicago motorcycle accident attorney can guide you on how to preserve this evidence effectively.

Witness Statements

Another type of evidence that proves incredibly valuable in these accidents is witness statements. Witnesses include people who stopped to help you. It may include the people riding in the vehicle that struck you. These people may not only witness your injuries, but they may have seen the driver swerving or using a phone before they struck you.

Ask witnesses for their name and contact information, or record a statement of what they saw. Inform police of the presence of witnesses as well.

Medical Evidence

Go to the emergency room immediately after a motorcycle accident. The emergency room will complete a full physical and outline any injuries you have. In motorcycle accidents, where riders are likely to have head trauma and internal injuries that are not immediately obvious, you need a comprehensive examination.

The details from the medical examination can prove to be valuable in proving what happened to you and the extent of those injuries. This information becomes a reliable resource for seeking compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.

Additional Available Evidence

After a Chicago motorcycle accident, there may be other sources of evidence available to help prove your losses. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will work to gather these details. Examples of additional evidence may include:

• Video and traffic camera evidence from the surrounding area
• Commercial vehicle logs that demonstrate what the driver was doing
• Medical records from the other driver indicate impairment
• Accident reconstruction evidence showing what had to happen
• Medical experts who can testify to your injuries and their impact on your health

Every bit of evidence is important, but it is all on you, as the victim, to find and document it.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Attorney

By hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer in Chicago, you gain the legal help and guidance you need to get the data available to you. Reach out to Taxman, Pollock & Bekkerman at (312) 586-1700 for a free case review.