5 Things To Do After A Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle crashes are especially dangerous because there is no vehicle frame, no airbag, and no metal cage to protect you. Riders often suffer far more serious trauma than occupants in cars — and on top of that, the insurance company will sometimes try to blame the rider simply because they were on a motorcycle. Taking the right steps immediately after a motorcycle accident is critical. The evidence you gather in the beginning can make a major difference in both proving fault and increasing the value of your injury settlement.
Below are the five most important things you should do to protect your rights and maximize compensation after a motorcycle crash.
1. Call 911 and Make Sure a Police Report Is Created
Never skip calling law enforcement — especially in a motorcycle crash. Even “minor” motorcycle impacts often result in hidden injuries — fractured ribs, concussions, road rash that later becomes infected, torn ligaments, etc.
Police reports are key because they document:
who said what at the scene
the vehicles involved
witness statements
road conditions and traffic patterns
any tickets or citations issued
Insurance companies heavily rely on police reports when deciding liability. If the report shows the other driver violated your right of way or failed to yield to a motorcyclist, that can dramatically help your claim. Without a report, the insurance company can easily twist the facts and try to argue you were speeding or lane-splitting, even if you weren’t.
2. Get Contact and Insurance Information From Every Driver Involved
Motorcycle crashes often involve multiple vehicles — sometimes the rider is hit and then knocked into another lane or clipped by a second car.
Make sure you collect:
driver’s contact information
insurance information and policy numbers
the owner’s information if the driver was not the owner
photos of driver licenses and insurance cards
In motorcycle cases, it is common for the at-fault driver to later change their story — claiming they didn’t see the motorcycle, or trying to blame the rider. Getting information at the scene prevents denial and identification issues later. Missing information can make recovery far harder.
3. Take Detailed Photos and Videos — Especially of Road Rash, Gear Damage, and the Bike
Photo evidence is even more important for motorcycles than cars because bike damage visually shows how violent the impact was. Document:
your motorcycle from multiple angles
the striking vehicle(s)
skid marks, debris field, impact points
your helmet, riding jacket, gloves, boots
bruises, cuts, road rash, swelling, and lacerations
Limb injuries, road rash, and helmet strikes should all be photographed repeatedly over time, because those injuries evolve — and healing still leaves scars. Gear damage is extremely persuasive evidence, because shredded leather or a cracked helmet instantly communicates force and violence in a way words don’t.
4. Get Immediate Medical Care — and Do Not Miss Follow-Ups
Motorcycle injuries can look “fine” at the scene because adrenaline masks pain. Hours or days later — reality hits. Herniated discs, fractures, ligament tears, concussions, nerve damage — these are extremely common.
Go to the ER or urgent care right away.
Then follow through consistently with all treatment — physical therapy, orthopedics, pain management, imaging, whatever your providers order. Insurance companies look for gaps. A single missed appointment gives them an excuse to argue your injuries weren’t serious or that you got better quickly.
Document everything. Every visit matters. The more consistent your medical record is, the stronger your case.
5. Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney — Especially One Who Understands Motorcycle Cases
Motorcycle claims are not “regular” car claims. Adjusters treat them differently. They are trained to argue the rider was reckless — even when the rider did nothing wrong.
You need an attorney who understands:
bias against riders
how to frame visibility / right-of-way violations
how to calculate future medical care for severe trauma
how to push back against adjusters who lowball motorcycle injuries as “minor”
A skilled lawyer will investigate the crash, collect evidence quickly, handle negotiations, coordinate medical bills, negotiate liens, and prepare for litigation if needed. Motorcycle cases often justify higher value — but only if they are handled aggressively and strategically.
