No motorcyclist ever wants to be involved in an accident, and many take all the necessary precautions to avoid them. However, sometimes motorcycle accidents happen despite our best efforts. A moment of carelessness from another driver or an unexpected obstacle on the road can result in a crash.

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating, causing serious injuries, damage to motorcycle gear and the bike itself, plus emotional trauma. It’s therefore essential to know what to do after a motorcycle accident to protect yourself and your legal rights.

Assess The Situation & Call For Help If Necessary

Assessing the situation and calling for help if necessary is one of the most important steps to take after a motorcycle accident. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable so your safety and the safety of others involved should always be your top priority.

Here are some things to keep in mind when assessing the situation:

• Check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is injured, call for an ambulance immediately. If possible, try to provide first aid until help arrives.
• Leave your crash helmet on and any other gear you’re wearing so as not to cause any further injuries whether they’re immediately apparent or not.
• Turn off your motorcycle’s engine to help prevent any fuel leaks from potentially causing a fire.
• If there are any injuries, deaths, or significant damage to any vehicles involved, call the police. They will then document the motorcycle accident and create an official report.

If you’re unable to assess the situation or call for help yourself, try to get someone else to do it for you. In some cases, bystanders may be able to help and call for assistance.

Exchange Information With The Other Party

Exchange contact information and insurance details with the other party/parties involved in the motorcycle crash. This information will be necessary for insurance purposes and may be needed if a motorcycle accident claim is started. The details that should be exchanged include:

• Full names and contact information.
• Vehicle registration numbers.
• Insurance company and policy details.
• Driver’s licence information.
• Details of any witnesses to the accident.

It’s important that any information exchanged is accurate and up-to-date. Any discrepancies or errors could delay the claims process or even result in a claim being rejected.

Document Important Details Of The Motorcycle Accident

Document as many details about the motorcycle accident as possible. This documentation can be helpful for insurance and personal injury claims and other legal purposes.

Important details you should document about the accident include:

• Date and time. Record the date and time of the motorcycle accident.
• Location. Record the location of the accident, including the road name and any landmarks nearby.
• Weather conditions. Make a note of the weather conditions at the time of the accident, including visibility, rain, snow, or other factors that may have contributed to the accident.
• Description of the vehicles involved. Document the make, model, and registration plate numbers of all vehicles involved in the accident.
• Contact information. Record the names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information of all parties involved in the accident, as well as any witnesses.
• Description of the accident. Write a detailed description of the motorcycle accident, including the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
• Accident scene photos. Take photos of the accident scene from multiple angles, including any damage to vehicles or property, and any skid marks on the road.
• Police report. If the police were called to the scene of the accident, obtain a copy of the police report.
• Injuries and medical treatment. Record any injuries you sustained in the motorcycle accident, as well as any medical treatment you received as a result.

By documenting the above details, you’ll help to ensure that you have the information you need to file an insurance claim or pursue legal action, if necessary. You should gather this information as soon as possible after the accident while the details are still fresh in your mind.

Taking Photos Of The Scene Of The Motorcycle Accident

Only if it’s safe to do so, taking photos of the accident scene can help support your insurance claim or motorbike accident claim, as well as provide important evidence for any investigations. Here are some types of photos you should consider taking after a motorcycle accident:

• Overall scene. As mentioned above, take photos of the accident scene, including the position of any vehicles involved, any skid marks on the road, and any damage to nearby objects like road signs and lamp posts.
• Damage to vehicles/clothing. Take photos of any damage to your motorcycle, your crash helmet and clothing as well as any damage to any other vehicles involved. Be sure to take photos from different angles and distances to provide a comprehensive view of the damage.
• Visible injuries. If you, a pillion passenger, or anyone else involved in the crash have any visible injuries, take photos of these too. This can help provide evidence of the extent of the injuries.
• Road conditions. Photos showing any factors that may have contributed to the accident, such as potholes, debris, or uneven road surfaces may be useful if a claim against the council is made.
• Weather conditions. Take photos of the weather conditions at the time of the motorbike accident, such as rain, fog, snow or ice. This can help support your case if weather conditions contributed to the accident.
• Registration plates and insurance details. Take photos of the registration plates of the vehicles involved as well as their insurance details. This will help ensure that the information you have is accurate.

As in the case of documenting important details, it’s also important to take photos as soon as possible after the motorcycle accident, as any changes to the scene of the accident or damage to vehicles and other property may make it difficult to provide accurate evidence later.

If the motorcycle accident was captured by a dashcam or CCTV system, you should also request a copy of the footage.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you don’t feel too badly hurt, you should seek medical attention after a motorcycle accident at a local A&E or your GP surgery. Some injuries such as delayed whiplash or a ruptured spleen may not be immediately apparent, and delaying medical attention could worsen your condition.

The medical report could also provide strong evidence of the types of injuries you sustained from the motorcycle crash, how severe they were, and how they might affect you in the future if you decide to claim compensation.

Report The Motorcycle Accident To Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the motorcycle accident. Provide them with all the information you have collected, including the date, time, and location of the motorcycle accident, as well as any relevant details about the vehicles involved and evidence you have gathered, including the police report and photos.

Dealing With An Uninsured Or Hit-&-Run Driver

If the other party is uninsured or flees the scene, contact the police immediately. Your insurance company may also have provisions to cover accidents with uninsured drivers.

You can find more information on hit-and-run claims here.

Contact A Personal Injury Solicitor

Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident can help protect yourself and your legal rights. Remember to assess the situation and call for help if necessary, exchange information with the other party/parties involved, take photos of the accident scene, seek medical attention, report the accident to your insurance company, and contact a personal injury solicitor from our team if needed.

If you’d like to contact us about claiming compensation for a motorcycle accident you can call us now on 0800 6524 881 or use our live chat service to talk with a claims advisor right away.