6 Critical Steps to Take When You Witness a Motorcycle Crash
Picture this: You’re cruising down the road with your buddy, enjoying the open air, when suddenly, a car swerves and hits him, sending him tumbling across the pavement like a ragdoll. Now, you’re faced with a critical moment. The seconds that follow can be the difference between life and death. What should you do when you witness a crash?
Step 1: Block Traffic Immediately
After a motorcycle crash every second counts. Before anything else, your first priority is to block traffic. You’ve got a biker down in the roadway, and every second that passes brings a higher chance of another vehicle barreling through and causing even more harm.
This isn’t the time for hesitation—get your bike or car in position to protect the downed rider by blocking the road in both directions. You need to prevent any other drivers from getting close until emergency services arrive. Think of this as the first step in creating a safe space.
Step 2: Make the 911 Call Happen
Most people assume that someone else will call 911, especially if there are other people around. Don’t fall into that trap.
Take control of the situation—point to someone specific and tell them, “You, call 911 now.” This removes the guesswork and ensures the call gets made.
If you’re alone, make the call yourself as soon as you’ve secured the area. The faster you get emergency services on the way, the better the chances are for the rider.
Step 3: Keep the Biker Down
It’s natural for a rider’s first instinct to be getting up—especially if they’re conscious.
You’ve probably seen it before: someone who just wrecked tries to stand, not realizing they have broken bones or internal injuries. This is often due to adrenaline masking the pain.
You must keep them down, no matter how much they insist they’re okay. Moving too soon could turn a bad situation into a life-threatening one. The fact is, bikers in these situations might not feel the full extent of their injuries yet, and standing up could make things significantly worse.
Step 4: Don’t Remove the Helmet
We’ve seen it time and again—well-meaning people rushing to help, trying to take off a rider’s helmet. That’s one of the worst things you can do.
Removing the helmet could cause more harm than good, especially if there’s a neck or spinal injury. Leave the helmet on and let the paramedics handle it. They’re trained to manage these types of situations.
The only time you should consider removing the helmet is if there’s an immediate life-threatening situation, like if the rider’s clothing is on fire.
Step 5: Document the Scene
Once the injured biker is stabilized, and you’ve ensured no further immediate danger, it’s time to start gathering evidence.
Often, law enforcement will get the contact information of a couple of witnesses, but that’s not enough. If you see other people around who witnessed the crash, make sure to get their names and contact details. Witness accounts are crucial in any legal action that might follow.
Next, grab your phone and start taking pictures. Don’t hold back here. Capture everything—skid marks, debris, the position of the vehicles, and even the surrounding area.
These photos can make or break a legal case later. If you’re thinking that 100 photos might be too many, think again. Take as many as you can. When the time comes to piece together what happened, those photos will be your best evidence.
Step 6: Seek Legal Guidance- Call The Biker Lawyers
The next critical step is to seek legal guidance. Contacting an experienced legal team like The Biker Lawyers as soon as possible can make a world of difference when it comes to protecting youreslf after a motorcycle accident and in the outcome of your case.
A motorcycle crash often leads to complex legal situations. Between insurance claims, medical bills, and potential liability, you could easily find yourself overwhelmed, and crucial details can slip through the cracks. In fact, many insurance companies are counting on it. That’s why they offer a quick settlement to take advantage of the situation and avoid paying you what you may be entitled to.
This is where our legal team steps in to level the playing field.
The sooner you consult with us, the sooner we can start gathering the facts, protecting your rights, and guiding you through the legal maze that follows a crash. If you’re in a position to do so, you or a loved one could even call us from the scene after calling 911. It really is never too early.
Imagine for a second what could happen if you wait too long: evidence may disappear, witness memories may fade, and insurance companies could take advantage of the delay.
Having a lawyer on your side from the start ensures that the scene is documented properly (or that evidence is preserved), that no corners are cut, and that your best interests are protected.
We can guide you on which questions to ask and when, what not to do, and how to make sure you set yourself up for the best possible outcome. Our team knows how to handle the insurance companies who might try to pin the blame on the biker, and we’ll fight to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Beyond protecting your rights, there’s something more: peace of mind. When you’re in the middle of recovery, the last thing you should worry about is navigating legal hurdles. Let us take on that burden so you can focus on getting back on your feet.
The decisions you make in the hours following a crash can have a lasting impact. Reach out to The Biker Lawyers for a free consultation, and we’ll do everything in our power to make sure that those decisions work in your favor.
What If The Other Guy Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Now you know how to respond when you witness a crash. But what if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance?
It’s a sad but true statistic: 1 in 10 drivers in Iowa have no insurance. In a world where some drivers still get behind the wheel without coverage, you need to protect yourself. Don’t get screwed—take the steps to make sure you’re covered, no matter who hits you.
Check out our guide on preparing for accidents involving uninsured drivers to ensure you’re not left high and dry. And remember, if you or a loved one is ever involved in a crash, we’re here to help. Call (319) 294-4424 for a free consultation and protect your rights.