What To Do After A

Motorcycle Accident

 

 

What Next?

You've had an accident. You've checked no one is hurt and turned off the engines. So what do you do next?

Here are a few good tips that are important. And also be sure to check with your local laws and you insurance company for additional information or requirements.

Think
After the accident, take stock of your situation. Are you injured? Are you in harm’s way? Can traffic safely avoid you? If you are just around a blind corner or over the crest of a hill you could be in danger of second accident. Is there gasoline leaking? There are many variables and you have to think clearly to avoid any further damage or injury.

Injuries
Common injuries after a motorcycle accident include fractured wrists or collarbones, bruised hips or knees, and sprained ankles. These injuries should be assessed and may or may not impair your movement immediately, but will swell up and later restrict your movement. If you are bleeding, more than a minor scrape, or have sharp internal pains, you should call an ambulance or visit a hospital immediately. If you are having trouble concentrating and are feeling lethargic or sleepy, you may have suffered a concussion and further evaluation is needed to rule out a skull fracture and/or more serious head trauma.

 

Helmets are usually rendered ineffective after an accident. Have it inspected to determine its future crash-worthiness

 

Adrenaline
It takes about 3 seconds for adrenaline to be introduced into the bloodstream and the effects to felt all over the body. This hormone will make you act irrationally; cause your hands to shake and dexterity to decrease. It will cloud your mind and make you focus on the imminent and blur your view of the big picture. You must first realize that you are under an adrenaline rush and try not to panic. Breathe deeply, take a seat, and whatever you do don’t try to figure out who is at fault.

Get some info
Unless you are certain that it was your fault, borrow a pen and paper and record the license plates of the involved parties and the names and phone numbers of witnesses. Draw a picture of the scene as well as any unusual road conditions in case you need to remember specifics later. Call the police if you think it is necessary, but in this day and age, rubberneckers will be on the phone to 911 before you stop rolling and the police will show up soon after. Most law enforcement agencies will automatically send an ambulance if they know a motorcycle is involved.

Basic info:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email
• Insurance company
• License plate number
• Driver’s license number

Take photos
Most phones have cameras built in them, so before you move anything take some photos of the accident. Try and get as many angles as possible. If there are marks on the road from the accident take photos of them too.

 

It's difficult for traffic to see a motorcycle lying on its side.
Try to move it to the shoulder or at the very least roll it upright and stand it up

 

Get witnesses
If anyone saw the accident take their details. You will need at least their name and phone number but motorcycle insurance companies would also prefer if you get the address of witnesses as well. Get as many witnesses as possible.

If the other person admits the accident was their fault, get them to sign something saying it. Or record them on your phone - if your phone doesn't have a recording function call your own number and record the message into the answering machine. Or if you can't manage this, get the other person to admit fault in front of a witness.

 

Record any injuries
If you have a minor injury, or something that could be worse when the adrenalin wears off, get it checked out. The police can also make a record of the injury if they are present. If the injury causes you to take some time off, it's important to have proof of when it occurred.

 

Do not let anyone light a flare or you may set fire to your motorcycle if it's leaking gasoline

 

Emotions
Adrenaline tends to make people chatty. Try not to discuss the accident until a police officer shows up. While excuses like “I never saw you” or “You should have been able to avoid me” are flippant and frustrating, they are as good as an admission of fault. Remember, this is an accident and the other driver, no matter how poor his skills, was not intentionally trying to injure you. Don’t take out your anger on them and exacerbate an already unfortunate event. Even if your pride and joy has been trashed, don't do anything you may come to regret. You should just keep quiet.

 

Final Thoughts :

If the motorcycle still runs and you plan to ride it home or to a garage, test the vital components like the frame, brakes, clutch, fork, suspension and tires. You don’t want anything failing while you are at speed or rounding a corner.

Is there anything I missed???

Please leave a comment...

 

Ride on!

—Michael Murray
Owner | Rider | Enthiusiast

michael@motorcycletraveldvds.com

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