A motorcycle accident can happen in an instant, but the decisions you make, hours and days following that incident, can affect your health, your finances, and your legal rights for years to come.
If you’re reading this, you may be shaken, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next. The Personal Injury Lawyers™ have been helping motorcycle accident victims navigate this difficult time, and we want you to have the information you need to protect yourself, whether or not you ever contact an attorney.
We will guide and walk you through exactly what to do after a motorcycle accident, backed by data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Mayo Clinic, and other authoritative sources.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Serious
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand what’s at stake.
According to NHTSA, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in 2023, which is about 15% of all traffic fatalities and the highest number recorded since 1975. Per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger car occupants and 5 times more likely to be injured.
The CDC reports that motorcycle crashes accounted for over $65 billion in lifetime medical, work, and quality-of-life costs in 2022 alone. More than 218,000 motorcyclists were treated in emergency departments for crash injuries that year.
12 Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
Step 1: Prioritize Your Safety
Your first priority is preventing further injury. If you can move without worsening your condition, get yourself and your motorcycle out of the flow of traffic.
Be aware of a phenomenon called “target fixation”; other drivers may inadvertently steer toward a downed rider or motorcycle in the road. If you’ve crashed in a curve, try to position yourself where you can warn oncoming traffic.
If you cannot move safely, stay still and wait for emergency responders. Do not remove your helmet unless a medical professional advises you to do so.
Step 2: Call 911 Immediately
Always call 911, even if the accident seems minor. This accomplishes two critical things: it gets medical help on the way, and it ensures a police report is generated.
If you need a bystander to make the call, point directly at them and be specific: “You, in the blue shirt—call 911 now.” This direct approach has been shown to overcome the “bystander effect,” where people in groups assume someone else will act.
Many smartphones and motorcycle safety apps can automatically detect crashes and notify emergency services or your emergency contacts.
Step 3: Seek Medical Attention
After a crash, your body floods with adrenaline, which can mask serious injuries. Injuries like concussions, internal bleeding, whiplash, and soft tissue damage may not show symptoms for hours or even days.
Visit an emergency room, urgent care, or your doctor as soon as possible. Explain that you were in a motorcycle accident so that medical professionals will know what to look for.
If you delay your treatment, insurance companies may argue your injuries weren’t caused by the accident or aren’t as serious as you claim. Prompt medical documentation creates a clear connection between the crash and your injuries.
Step 4: Document Everything at the Scene
If you’re physically able, gather as much evidence as possible before leaving the scene:
- Photograph all vehicles involved, including damage from multiple angles
- Capture the position of your motorcycle, skid marks, debris, and road conditions
- Document traffic signals, signs, and weather conditions
- Photograph your visible injuries
- Get a video of the overall scene if possible
Step 5: Exchange Information with All Parties
Collect the following from everyone involved:
- Full name and contact information
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Insurance company and policy number
- Vehicle make, model, and year
Also, get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Their statements may be invaluable later.
Step 6: File a Police Report
A police report creates an official, third-party record of what happened. Ask the responding officer for their name, badge number, and how to obtain a copy of the report.
State DMV reporting requirements vary:
- California: You must file an SR-1 report with the DMV within 10 days if anyone is injured or property damage exceeds $1,000; this is separate from the police report
- New York: File form MV-104 if property damage exceeds $1,000 or if anyone is injured
- Oregon: File within 72 hours if damage exceeds $2,500, any vehicle is towed, or injury/death occurs
- Vermont: File within 72 hours if total property damage is $3,000 or more
Failure to file required reports can result in license suspension.
Step 7: Notify Your Insurance Company Carefully
Report the accident to your insurance company promptly because most policies require “prompt notice.” However, be strategic about what you say:
- Do provide basic facts such as date, time, location, and parties involved
- Don’t speculate about fault or minimize your injuries
- Don’t agree to a recorded statement without legal guidance
- Don’t accept a quick settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries
Step 8: Never Admit Fault
In the confusion after an accident, it’s natural to apologize or say I’m sorry, but these statements can be used against you later. Even if you think you may have contributed to the accident, fault is a legal determination that depends on many factors you may not be aware of.
Stick to factual statements when speaking to police, other drivers, and insurance companies. Let the investigation determine liability.
Step 9: Preserve All Physical Evidence
Do not repair or dispose of:
- Your motorcycle
- Your helmet
- Riding gear (jacket, gloves, boots)
- Any other damaged items
These items can serve as crucial evidence of the severity of the crash and your injuries. Store them safely until your case is resolved.
Step 10: Track Your Recovery in Detail
Start a journal documenting:
- All medical treatments, doctor visits, and medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions
- Days missed from work and lost income
- Out-of-pocket expenses (transportation to appointments, medical equipment, etc.)
- Pain levels, sleep issues, anxiety, and emotional difficulties
- How do your injuries affect the daily activities you once enjoyed
This documentation helps establish the full impact of the accident on your life, both economic and non-economic.
Step 11: Follow Through on Medical Care
According to medical professionals, consistent follow-up care is essential:
- Attend all appointments with doctors and specialists
- Complete prescribed physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Track new symptoms even weeks after the accident, and inform your doctor so they’re documented
- Stay physically active within your doctor’s guidelines to aid recovery
Gaps in treatment can be used by insurance companies to argue your injuries aren’t serious. Protect yourself by following your care plan.
Step 12: Consult a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
An experienced attorney can:
- Handle communications with insurance companies so you don’t say something that hurts your case
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical needs and non-economic damages
- Negotiate for a fair settlement or take your case to trial if necessary
At The Personal Injury Lawyers™, consultations are always free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
You may be entitled to recover different kinds of damages after any accident, and this is all the more likely in the case of motorcycle accidents. You will have to act quickly, though, as each state imposes time limits called statutes of limitations that prevent you from seeking compensation after a set period of time has passed.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, future treatment)
- Lost wages from missed work
- Reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work
- Property damage (motorcycle repair or replacement, gear)
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (impact on relationships)
Punitive Damages
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, courts may award additional damages to punish the wrongdoer.
Why Insurance Companies Aren’t on Your Side
Here’s something most people don’t realize: even your own insurance company’s primary goal is to minimize payouts. Their adjusters are trained professionals whose job is to protect the company’s bottom line—not to ensure you receive full compensation.
Common insurance company tactics include:
- Offering quick settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries
- Requesting recorded statements that can be used against you
- Arguing your injuries were pre-existing or aren’t as serious as claimed
- Disputing liability to reduce or deny your claim
- Delaying the process, hoping you’ll accept less out of frustration
Having an attorney levels the playing field. Insurance companies know that claimants with legal representation typically receive higher settlements, and they adjust their behavior accordingly.
Call The Personal Injury Lawyers™ for Help After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents can be life-altering — physically, emotionally, and financially. At The Personal Injury Lawyers™, we’ve dedicated our practice to fighting for accident victims and holding negligent parties accountable.
Our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer understands the challenges motorcyclists face, from bias against riders to the severity of injuries involved. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact The Personal Injury Lawyers™ today.
Call (312) 999-9990 or fill out our free case evaluation form. The consultation costs nothing, and it could make all the difference in your recovery.
