Motorcycle accidents can be especially disruptive because riders have less physical protection than occupants of passenger vehicles. Even when a rider follows traffic laws and takes reasonable precautions, another driver’s mistake can result in significant injuries and property damage.
After a collision, knowing what to do can help preserve evidence, document injuries, and provide a clearer understanding of the financial consequences.
Motorcycle Crashes Can Be Different From Car Accidents
Motorcycles are smaller and more difficult for other drivers to see. The California DMV specifically advises motorists to check for motorcycles when changing lanes or entering a roadway because motorcycles can disappear into vehicle blind spots.
Riders Have the Same Rights on the Road
Motorcyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. The fact that someone was riding a motorcycle does not automatically make that person responsible for a collision.
Determining fault requires looking at the specific circumstances, including traffic signals, lane positions, speed, roadway conditions, visibility, and the conduct of each person involved.
Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, getting appropriate medical attention should be a priority, even if your injuries initially seem manageable.
A motorcycle crash can involve substantial forces, and some symptoms may become more noticeable after the immediate effects of the collision have subsided.
Keep Records of Your Treatment
Maintain copies of:
- Emergency room records
- Doctor’s reports
- Diagnostic imaging
- Prescription information
- Physical therapy records
- Medical bills
- Follow-up appointments
- Work restrictions
These records can help document both the nature of the injuries and the treatment required.
Report the Collision
California law requires drivers involved in qualifying collisions to report certain accidents to the DMV. The California DMV states that a collision must generally be reported within 10 days when anyone is injured or killed or when property damage exceeds $1,000.
Contact Law Enforcement
If anyone is injured, calling 911 can help ensure that medical assistance and law enforcement reach the scene.
A police report can also document information about the vehicles, drivers, witnesses, roadway conditions, and circumstances surrounding the collision.
Remember that the DMV reporting requirement is separate from any police report. Law enforcement does not file the SR-1 report for you.
Document the Accident Scene
Evidence from a motorcycle crash can disappear quickly. Vehicles may be moved or repaired, road debris can be removed, and surveillance footage may eventually be overwritten.
Take Photographs if You Are Able
Photograph the:
- Motorcycle
- Other vehicles
- Roadway
- Traffic signs and signals
- Skid marks
- Debris
- Visible injuries
- Helmet and protective equipment
- Surrounding area
Take both close-up photographs and wider images showing the overall scene.
Identify Witnesses
Independent witnesses may have information about how the collision occurred. If possible, obtain their names and contact information.
Do not ask witnesses to determine legal fault. Simply preserve their information so their observations can be evaluated later.
Preserve the Motorcycle and Other Physical Evidence
The motorcycle itself can contain valuable information about the collision.
Be Careful With Repairs
If a serious injury claim may arise, consider documenting the motorcycle thoroughly before repairs are made. Repair estimates, photographs, damaged parts, and other physical evidence may help establish how the collision occurred.
Protective equipment can also be relevant. Keep the helmet, clothing, gloves, and other gear rather than discarding them immediately after the accident.
Determine How the Collision Happened
Motorcycle accidents can occur for many reasons, and the visible damage does not always tell the complete story.
Potential causes include:
- A driver changing lanes without seeing a motorcycle
- Failure to yield
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe turns
- Following too closely
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Road hazards
- Poor visibility
- Defective vehicle components
The California DMV identifies driver distraction, unsafe speed, improper turns, and failure to follow right-of-way rules among common causes of collisions.
Do Not Assume Fault Based on the Type of Vehicle
A motorcycle’s smaller size does not mean the rider caused the accident. Liability should be evaluated based on the evidence.
Police reports, witness statements, photographs, video footage, vehicle damage, and other information can all contribute to understanding what happened.
Understand the Potential Impact of Your Injuries
A motorcycle collision can produce consequences that extend well beyond the initial emergency treatment.
Medical Expenses
Depending on the severity of the injuries, treatment may involve:
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Prescription medication
- Specialist appointments
- Long-term care
Some injuries may require continuing treatment long after the accident itself.
Lost Income
An injury may prevent someone from working temporarily or permanently.
Keep documentation of missed work, lost wages, and any restrictions placed on your ability to perform your job.
If an injury affects your ability to continue working in the same occupation, the financial consequences may extend beyond current lost wages.
Keep Track of Property Damage
A motorcycle may sustain substantial damage even in a collision that initially appears straightforward.
Document:
- Repair estimates
- Replacement costs
- Damaged accessories
- Towing expenses
- Storage fees
- Rental transportation costs
Do not assume that the value of the motorcycle itself represents the full financial impact of the accident.
Review Your Insurance Coverage
Insurance can become an important part of a motorcycle accident claim. The California DMV advises motorcycle owners to check their insurance coverage before riding and notes that California’s financial responsibility requirements apply to motorcycle owners and operators.
Know Your Policy Limits
Review your declarations page to understand what coverage you purchased and what limits or deductibles apply.
Depending on the circumstances, relevant coverage may include liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, or underinsured motorist protection.
The availability and applicability of each type of coverage depend on the specific policy and accident.
Be Cautious With Insurance Adjusters
An insurance company may contact you soon after the collision to obtain information or discuss the claim.
Provide Accurate Information
Always be truthful, but avoid guessing about facts you do not remember. Immediately after a serious accident, you may not yet know the full extent of your injuries or future treatment needs.
Be especially careful about statements suggesting that you are fully recovered when medical treatment is still ongoing.
Do Not Rush Into a Settlement
An early settlement may not account for future medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation, or other consequences that have not yet become clear.
Before accepting an offer, understand what rights you may be giving up and whether the proposed settlement addresses your known and anticipated losses.
Avoid Posting About the Accident Online
Social media posts can potentially complicate an injury claim. Photographs, comments, or statements about your activities may be taken out of context.
Keep Claim Discussions Private
Avoid publicly discussing who caused the collision, how serious your injuries are, or what you expect to receive from an insurance claim.
Keeping detailed discussions private can reduce the risk of information being misunderstood or misinterpreted.
Consider Legal Guidance for Serious Injuries
A motorcycle accident claim can become more complicated when there are significant injuries, disputed liability, multiple vehicles, or disagreements with an insurance company.
An attorney can investigate the circumstances, review available evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, evaluate insurance coverage, and communicate with insurers when appropriate.
Legal Help May Be Especially Useful When
Consider obtaining legal guidance if:
- The other driver denies responsibility
- You suffered serious injuries
- Your medical treatment is ongoing
- You cannot return to work
- The insurance company disputes your claim
- Multiple vehicles were involved
- The other driver was uninsured or underinsured
- Your motorcycle suffered extensive damage
- The circumstances of the collision are disputed
Preserve Evidence From the Beginning
If you have been involved in a motorcycle collision, keep a complete file containing photographs, police reports, medical records, insurance correspondence, repair estimates, witness information, and documentation of lost income.
The California DMV emphasizes that motorcycle riders should be visible, communicate their intentions, maintain adequate space, and remain prepared to react to surrounding traffic. After a collision, similarly careful documentation can help establish what occurred and how the accident affected your life.
Taking prompt steps after a crash does not guarantee a particular outcome, but it can help preserve the information needed to evaluate the circumstances and determine what options may be available.
