Today's guest post is written by Terry Farley.
Here at Carry on Biking, we know that the immediate aftermath, as well as the long-term impact, of a motorcycle accident is a traumatic andemotionally challenging time. Most riders will experience a state of shock after an accident, particularly if you or someone else involved is badly injured. Some riders are more fortunate and are physically able to leave the scene of the accident without the need of an ambulance or any medical attention.
Even if you are this fortunate, you could still be breaking the law if you leave the scene of an accident before doing the things you are obligated by law to do in the aftermath of an accident. These include:
Call the police
If the scene causes a hazard on the road or if the other people involved have fled the scene. You should also call the police (as well as the ambulance) if someone is injured. If you are not sure whether to call the police it is best to do so, and let them judge if the scene warrants a visit. Exchange details with other people involved. This is a priority legal requirement after an accident. Names, contact details, addresses, vehicle details, and details of insurers are all details that will be necessary to both investigating the accident and making any claim for compensation later on. If the other people involved in the accident refuse to give you any details, it is advisable to call the police.
Other things you could do
If you have a camera on your phone or in your car, it can be helpful to take photos of the accident. If the road surface was a factor in your accident, it is wise to take photos of the roads. These can be used to illustrate your claim for compensation. Take photos of your bike, of the other vehicle, or obstacle involved in the accident. If you can it is helpful to have photos of road signs, junction, or any other landmarks at the scene to build a stronger case. Uneven or inadequately maintained road surfaces can cause a motorbike to skid. If you do think the road surface caused your bike to skid, it is worth taking a sample. If the road was covered in stones or gravel take a sample of these.
Again this can serve to illustrate your claim. If the road surface has been poorly maintained it could mean that negligence was the reason for your accident, in which case you have a solid case to claim compensation. If you can, make notes on the scene, more details can be helpful later on. If you think anything else has played a part in your accident, document it for investigation later.
Inform your insurance company
Your bike insurance policy requires you to report your involvement in an accident as soon as possible. You should try to do this as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not, for example, make a lengthy phone call to your insurers before you have assessed your own safety, or that of any of the other people involved in the accident. Here is information to help with speeding, convictions, and the law when it comes to motorbikes.
Terry Farley is a writer that works in the Legal market in the UK. You can follow other posts by Terry over here on
