Driving a motorbike provides the rider with a real sense of freedom, and at the same time a sense of ultimate control. However, during the ride, many of the safety nets a car would provide are not implied. 

A two-wheeler will “feel” your movement better and react faster, so reflex control needs to be really precise. It’s all part of the fun, but also presents a bigger liability in traffic. So let’s deal with the must-dos in case of an accident, because, well, better safe than sorry.

Put yourself first!

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, the first step is to check yourself for injuries. Do not let the adrenaline rush put anything else before your health. As we’ve mentioned above, motorcyclists have less protection than those in cars, so it’s always recommended you wear protective gear and a helmet. 

Step aside for a moment and assess the situation rationally. Carefully remove the gear and move around a bit - each limb separately. Further inspect for any signs of internal bleeding, and then call the ambulance or head to an emergency room for a full inspection. 

Try to stay calm and do not flee the place of the accident for any reason! This will look like admitting you’re guilty.

Who else was involved?

Breathe deeply for a minute, and if you are sure you’re not in immediate danger and can walk, go to check the state of the other parties involved. If you can, make sure other people are safe as well! No matter whose fault the accident was, be polite and helpful the whole time. Nobody wants to admit they rushed through a red light, or that they were writing a text message as a cause of the accident, so try approaching it all in a non-judgemental manner. 

When you have made sure no parties involved are in trouble, ask the other driver to help you look for eyewitnesses. This will be seen as a sign of being objective and showing respect.

Biker Justice USA advise: “Having witnesses will provide you with more detailed information about the cause of the accident, and they are unbiased opinions which is important.” 

Perhaps someone close to you even had a dashcam. If they are not able to wait for the police, ask for contact information, along with a couple of recorded notes. In order not to cause a traffic jam, take pictures of the accident scene from multiple angles, and ask for help to move your bike off the road. This is a good time to call the police and file a report. 

Dealing with insurance or a court

Unfortunately, there is not a simple rule for all the cases, as the rest of the process will largely depend on the other person involved. They might cooperate perfectly, in which case you’ll only need to exchange your insurance details along with the statements to the police officers. In more extreme cases, you might need a motorcycle accidents attorney to help you out and step in.

This is one of the main reasons you need to be cooperative with the officers and provide a detailed written statement regarding the unfortunate event. Contact your insurer anyways, letting them know about the accident. If you’ve done your part properly, people will treat you with more respect, making you a believable character. Even in the worst-case scenario of having to go to court, you’ll have all the evidence to back you up!

Final thoughts

Try to understand that accidents happen on a daily basis, and even the most cautious drives can get involved. If you find yourself stuck in this scenario, remember these tips. Be aware anything you say might come back later to haunt you, so hold any jokes for the moment you’re retelling the story to your friends and family. Avoid any unnecessary statements and from the moment you get up, and act like you’re being recorded. An additional tip - write down the name of the officers involved, as it can be helpful later in the process!