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What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident: A Rider's Checklist

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Key takeaways
  • Safety and medical care come first. Call 911 if anyone may be hurt.
  • Don't remove a helmet if you might have a head or neck injury unless there is immediate danger. Let trained responders do it.
  • Photograph the scene, the motorcycle and your gear before anything is moved or repaired.
  • Keep your helmet, jacket and other gear as evidence, even if damaged.
  • Know your coverage, including medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage, and check your filing deadlines.

Riding leaves little between you and the road, which is why a motorcycle crash can leave you hurt, shaken and unsure what to do next. A clear plan helps, and some steps are specific to riders.

This checklist covers the first minutes, the first days and the weeks after. It's general education and not medical or legal advice. In an emergency, call 911.

In the first minutes

  1. Get safe. If you can move without making an injury worse and traffic is a danger, get out of the road. Turn off the motorcycle's ignition if you can do so safely.
  2. Call 911 and describe your location and injuries.
  3. Leave your helmet on if you may have a head, neck or spine injury, unless you can't breathe or there is immediate danger. Responders are trained to remove it safely.
  4. Exchange information with the other driver: name, phone, insurance, plate number, vehicle description.
  5. Find witnesses and ask for contact details.
  6. Be careful about fault. Share facts, not guesses.

Evidence that's specific to riders

  • Photograph the motorcycle from several angles, including the bike's position, scratches and damage, before it's moved if possible.
  • Photograph your gear: helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and any visible damage to them.
  • Keep your gear exactly as it is. Scuffs and cracks can show how the crash happened and how you were protected.
  • Photograph the road: gravel, potholes, oil, signs, lane markings, blind spots and lighting.
  • Note the weather and time of day.
  • Ask nearby homes and businesses whether they have cameras and tell the police.

Medical care

Go to a hospital or see a medical professional promptly, even if you feel "fine." Adrenaline can hide pain. Tell the provider exactly what happened and mention every symptom, including mild ones like headaches or dizziness. Keep every record, bill and prescription.

Take head symptoms seriously Headaches, confusion, nausea, vision changes or memory problems after a crash need medical attention, whether or not you wore a helmet.

The motorcycle

  • Ask the towing company where it will be stored, and note the storage fees and location.
  • Don't repair it until the damage is fully documented.
  • Keep estimates, repair invoices and a record of any aftermarket equipment you added.

Insurance

Notify your insurer promptly and ask what your policy covers. Common coverages include liability, collision, medical payments and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Learn more in our guide to uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If the other driver's insurer calls, be factual and careful, and take time before giving any recorded statement.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Skipping medical care because you "feel okay."
  • Repairing the bike or tossing damaged gear.
  • Posting photos or comments about the crash on social media.
  • Signing a release or accepting a quick settlement before you know your full injuries.
  • Waiting too long. Deadlines apply. Use our deadline finder as a starting point.

Helmet laws and how helmet use can affect a claim vary by state. Read more in our guide to motorcycle helmets, fault and insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Should I take my helmet off after a crash?

If you may have a head or neck injury, leave it on unless there's immediate danger, and let trained responders remove it.

Should I keep my damaged helmet and gear?

Yes. Keep everything as it is, since it can document the crash.

Can I fix my motorcycle right away?

Wait until the damage has been documented and your insurer or other parties have had a chance to inspect it, if needed.

What if drivers say they didn't see me?

That's a common statement in motorcycle crashes. It doesn't end the question of fault, which depends on the facts and your state's law.

Sources and references

  1. Motorcycle Helmet Effectiveness Revisited, NHTSA technical report (crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov)
  2. Road Safety: pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov)
  3. A Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, hosted by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (tennessee.gov)
  4. Your state's official sources: the state legislature's online statutes, your state court system's self-help pages, and your state insurance department.

Edited by Mohammed Khalaf, site editor. Written from the official sources listed above. The editor is not an attorney, and this article is not legal advice.

This article is educational and is not legal advice. We are not a law firm and do not refer or recommend lawyers. Laws differ by state and change over time. Read our Legal Disclaimer and Editorial Policy.