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After-a-Crash Priority Checklist

Work through these priority actions in any order. Check each one off as you go — your progress is tracked on this page, and finishing shows a summary plus related guides. This is general educational information, not legal advice.

0 of 9 steps complete

1. 1. Get to a safe spot. Move yourself and your bike out of active travel lanes if you can do so safely. Turn on hazard lights and set out warning triangles or flares if you have them.
2. 2. Check for injuries and call 911. Look for injuries to yourself, any passenger, and others involved. Call emergency services right away when anyone may be hurt.
3. 3. Call the police and get a report number. Ask responding officers how to obtain the official crash report. Write down the report or incident number and the name of the agency.
4. 4. Photograph and document the scene. Take wide and close-up photos of vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, weather, and any visible injuries.
5. 5. Exchange information and note witnesses. Collect names, phone numbers, insurance details, and license plate numbers from others involved. Ask witnesses for contact information before they leave.
6. 6. Get prompt medical follow-up. See a medical professional as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some injuries surface hours or days later. Keep every bill and record.
7. 7. Notify your insurance company. Report the crash to your insurer within the time your policy requires. Stick to the facts of what happened.
8. 8. Organize your records in one place. Keep the police report, medical records, photos, receipts, and letters together in one folder, physical or digital.
9. 9. Learn when riders consult an attorney. Many riders speak with a personal injury attorney early to understand deadlines and options. Our guide explains when people typically consult a motorcycle accident attorney.