What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Washington

The steps you take after a motorcycle crash can affect your health, your finances, and whether you’re able to recover compensation. From the moment you're off the road, each decision shapes what comes next—how the insurance company responds, how evidence gets preserved, and whether your version of events holds up.

If you’ve been in a motorcycle crash, call the motorcycle accident lawyers at Freeman Law Firm, Inc. at (253) 383-4500 to protect your case for compensation and get answers now.

What to Do at the Scene

1. Move to Safety If You’re Able

If traffic is moving and you're still in the roadway, you’re exposed. If you can walk and aren’t feeling disoriented or in pain, get to the shoulder or sidewalk quickly.

But if your head, back, or neck took a hit—or anything feels off—stay where you are. Let paramedics handle it. Moving too soon can make certain injuries worse.

2. Call 911 and Report the Crash

Let the dispatcher know where you are, how many people are hurt, and whether vehicles are blocking traffic. You don’t need all the answers—just explain what’s in front of you.

A police report becomes part of the record. If the other driver tries to shift blame or details change later, that report could carry weight.

When the officer asks what happened, stick to what you know. Don’t fill in blanks or assume anything.

3. Get Medical Help Right Away

Injuries from a motorcycle crash aren’t always visible. Internal damage, brain injuries, or soft tissue trauma may not show up until hours later.

Let paramedics evaluate you, even if you think you’re fine. If they recommend the ER or follow-up care, take it seriously. Refusing treatment makes it harder to prove you were hurt.

4. Exchange Information with the Other Driver

State law requires both parties to share names, insurance details, and license numbers. Snapping photos of their ID and insurance card is faster than writing it down.

There’s no need to discuss the crash itself. Keep the exchange businesslike and move on.

5. Speak with Witnesses and Get Their Contact Information

Ask anyone nearby if they saw what happened and if they’re willing to share their name and number. Don’t assume they’ll stick around.

Eyewitnesses can back up key details later. But make sure you're speaking with someone who saw the crash, not just what happened after.

6. Document the Scene in Detail

Pull out your phone and start taking pictures—vehicle positions, license plates, skid marks, damage, injuries, the road surface, traffic signs, and weather conditions.

Photograph from multiple angles and distances. The more you capture, the harder it is for anyone to twist the facts.

7. Be Careful What You Say

Skip the apologies. Avoid small talk. Don’t guess or speculate. Comments like “I didn’t see them” or “I must’ve been in their blind spot” can follow you through the entire case.

Focus on getting help and collecting facts, not offering opinions.

Steps to Take After You Leave the Scene

1. Get checked out by a doctor—even if you already saw paramedics: Some injuries don’t show up right away. Dizziness, tightness, or internal pain may take time to surface. Let your provider know exactly what you’re feeling and when it started. Seeing a doctor right away helps prove your injuries weren’t caused by something else.
2. Tell your insurance company—but keep it short: Give them the basics: time, location, and the drivers involved. Skip explanations. If they ask for a recorded statement, say you’re not ready. You’re allowed to wait.
3. Request the police report and read it closely: Once it’s available, go through the report line by line. Check your statement, the crash description, and the diagram if one’s included. If anything’s wrong, send a written request to correct it and save a copy for your records.
4. Don’t toss your gear or fix your bike just yet: That helmet, your jacket, even the bent foot peg—all of it could help show how hard you were hit. Take photos, then store the items somewhere safe.
5. Start logging your crash-related expenses right away: Keep receipts for every cost tied to the crash, even small ones. That includes meds, mileage, treatment, and missed work. Organized records give you more leverage when it’s time to talk numbers.

How Timing Affects Your Case

Insurance Companies Move Quickly—You Should Too

Right after a crash, insurance adjusters work fast. They may call within days, ask for a statement, or offer a quick settlement, especially if they think you’re still shaken up or haven’t talked to a lawyer.

If you wait to act, you give them more control. Evidence disappears. Witnesses become harder to reach. Your injuries may be questioned if there’s no early documentation. Even if the other driver was clearly at fault, delay can make your case harder to prove—and easier to downplay.

Washington’s Rules Affect Your Case

Washington uses a pure comparative fault system. That means the other driver doesn’t have to be 100% at fault for you to recover damages, but any percentage of blame assigned to you reduces what you can recover. The longer you wait to gather evidence or speak to an attorney, the harder it is to defend your side of the story.

You also have a three-year deadline to file a case under Washington law. But that clock starts the day of the crash—not when you finish medical treatment or start to feel the long-term impact. Waiting until the deadline is close limits your options, delays negotiations, and weakens your position.

Frequently Asked Questions From Riders

Should I Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

No. And it’s not just about protecting your words—it’s about control. Once you pick up that call, you’re stepping into their system. Adjusters are trained to get you talking, especially if you haven’t spoken with a lawyer yet.

If they ask for a statement, you can decline. A short reply like “I’m not discussing the crash at this time” is enough. Once an attorney is involved, you won’t need to handle those calls again.

What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?

It’s a factor, not a deal-breaker. Washington law doesn’t automatically cut off compensation for riders without helmets, but it can affect how an insurer argues the extent of your injuries—especially in head trauma cases.

Still, the crash itself remains the central issue. If the other driver was careless, they can still be held responsible.

Can I Afford a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

Most likely, yes. Personal injury firms in Washington typically use contingency fee agreements. That means you don’t pay upfront, and you don’t get billed hourly. If the case settles or wins, the attorney takes a percentage.

You won’t owe attorney fees if the case doesn’t result in compensation. It gives you access to help without taking on more risk during a difficult time.

What Not to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

1. Don’t post about the crash or your injuries on social media
   Even a quick update or photo can be taken out of context. Insurance companies watch for anything that contradicts your injury claim or shifts blame. It's safer to stay quiet online until your case is resolved.
2. Don’t skip follow-up care
   Missed appointments can weaken your case and make it seem like your injuries aren’t serious. If you’re in pain, or still recovering, every visit adds to your medical record—and shows that you’re taking recovery seriously.
3. Don’t agree to a settlement too early
   Once you sign, the case is over. If you settle before you understand the full extent of your injuries or the costs ahead, you can’t go back for more. Talk to an attorney before responding to any offer.
4. Don’t repair or get rid of damaged gear
   Your helmet, clothing, and bike could all help prove what happened. Hold onto everything in its post-crash condition and store it safely. Even cosmetic damage can support your case.

Your Next Step Starts Now

The choices you make in the days after a crash can shape the rest of your recovery—physically, financially, and legally. If you’re still weighing whether to get help, understand that time works against people who wait. Evidence doesn’t preserve itself, and small decisions made without guidance can close doors later.

Taking action early isn’t about rushing into a case. It’s about knowing where things stand, getting your questions answered, and putting yourself in a stronger position—before the insurer locks in theirs.

What to Expect When You Call Freeman Law Firm, Inc.

• You’ll speak with a real person who’s handled crashes like yours. No screening walls, no pressure—just a conversation about what happened and what options are on the table.
• We’ll walk through the key details. What you remember, what’s been documented, what the insurance company is already doing behind the scenes.
• You won’t pay anything upfront. We don’t charge attorney fees unless we win or settle your case.
• You stay in control. We’ll explain the process, but you decide what happens next—no surprises and no obligations.

Make the Call That Protects Your Case

If you’re sitting there with questions, pain, and bills piling up, call Freeman Law Firm, Inc. at (253) 383-4500. We’ll help you figure out where things stand and what needs to happen next—before the other side sets the terms for you.