October 20, 2025 | Motorcycle Accidents
The moments following a motorcycle accident can be chaotic and frightening. Understanding the proper steps to take helps you navigate this difficult situation effectively. Whether you’re riding through Atlanta, Georgia, or anywhere else, having a clear plan helps you stay calm and protect yourself after a crash.
Follow these steps in order to stay safe and protect your rights:
Prioritize Your Safety First
Your immediate safety should be your top priority after a motorcycle accident. Moving to a safe location prevents additional injuries from oncoming traffic. If you can move without causing further injury, get yourself and your motorcycle out of traffic lanes.
If you’re seriously injured and cannot move safely, stay where you are and wait for emergency responders. Moving with certain injuries, especially spinal injuries, can cause permanent damage.
Call 911 Immediately
Always call 911 after a motorcycle accident, even if injuries seem minor. Emergency services provide medical care and create official documentation of the incident. Police reports become crucial evidence for insurance claims and potential legal cases.
In Georgia, you’re legally required to report accidents involving injuries, deaths, or property damage exceeding $500. Failing to report can result in traffic violations and complicate your insurance claims.
Check for Injuries and Provide Aid
Once you’re safe, check yourself and others for injuries.
Common motorcycle accident injuries to look for include:
- Road rash and abrasions from sliding on pavement
- Broken bones, especially in arms, legs, and collarbones
- Head injuries and concussions, even with helmet use
- Spinal injuries that may not be immediately obvious
- Internal bleeding without visible external injuries
Never remove another person’s helmet unless absolutely necessary for breathing. Improper helmet removal can worsen spinal injuries.
Even if you feel fine after the accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Many serious injuries don’t show symptoms immediately, but can cause complications later.
Exchange Information With Other Parties
Once emergency services are on the way, exchange information with everyone involved in the accident. This information becomes essential for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Be polite but keep conversations brief and factual. Don’t discuss who was at fault or apologize, as these statements can be used against you later. If other drivers seem aggressive or hostile, maintain distance and let the police handle the interaction. Your safety remains the priority.
Document the Accident Scene Thoroughly
Thorough documentation of the accident scene provides crucial evidence for insurance claims and potential lawsuits.
Important documentation includes:
- Photos of all vehicle damage from multiple angles
- Photos of the accident scene, including skid marks and debris
- Photos of traffic signs, signals, and road conditions
- Photos of your injuries and damaged riding gear
- Video of the overall accident scene, if possible
- Written notes about weather, lighting, and traffic conditions
Take wide shots showing the entire scene and close-ups of specific damage. Photograph anything that might have contributed to the accident, such as potholes, oil slicks, or obstructed signs.
Don’t repair or dispose of your motorcycle until your attorney or insurance company has documented the damage. The bike itself is crucial evidence of what happened. Save all receipts related to the accident, including medical bills, prescription costs, and transportation to medical appointments.
Gather Witness Information
Witnesses provide independent accounts of how the accident occurred. Their statements can be invaluable if the other driver disputes fault.
Approach witnesses politely and ask if they saw what happened. Get their names, phone numbers, and addresses. Ask if they’re willing to provide statements to the police or your insurance company.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company to report the accident as soon as possible. Most policies require prompt notification, and delays can jeopardize your coverage. Provide basic facts about the accident, but avoid detailed statements without speaking to an attorney first.
Insurance adjusters may try to get you to say things that minimize their liability. Don’t accept quick settlement offers before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
Know What Not to Do at the Scene
Certain actions after a motorcycle accident can hurt your legal case or physical recovery.
Things to avoid after a motorcycle accident:
- Never leave the scene before police arrive
- Don’t admit fault or apologize to anyone
- Avoid signing anything except for police or medical forms
- Don’t post about the accident on social media
- Never accept cash settlements at the scene
- Don’t give recorded statements to other insurance companies
Insurance adjusters often contact accident victims quickly to get recorded statements. Politely decline and say you’ll provide information after consulting with an attorney.
Contact Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC for a Free Consultation
Taking the right steps at the scene of a motorcycle accident can significantly affect your health, your claim, and your ability to recover compensation. By staying calm, documenting everything, and protecting your legal rights from the very start, you put yourself in the best position to seek justice after a crash.
Once immediate safety and medical needs are addressed, speaking with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney is one of the most important actions you can take. Contact Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC for a free consultation and let us help you navigate the legal process while you focus on healing.
Goldstein Hayes & Lina Accident Lawyers
3060 Peachtree Rd NW UNIT 1000,
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 869-8600
