Motorcycle accident claims: what to do and how a claim works
Last updated: November 10, 2026
After a motorcycle accident, get yourself and your bike out of traffic, call the police, and collect photos, witnesses and insurance details. Riders are sometimes blamed unfairly, so evidence from the scene matters. The at-fault driver's insurance usually pays.
What to do after a motorcycle accident
Get safe and call 911
Move away from traffic if you can and call 911 so police and help can come to the scene.
Get a police report
Tell the officer what happened in plain words and ask for the report number.
Take photos
Photograph your bike, your helmet and gear, the other vehicle, the road surface, debris and any signs or signals.
Find witnesses
Ask people who saw the crash for their names and numbers. Riders often face doubts that a witness can clear up.
Swap insurance details
Get each driver's name, phone, license, plate, insurer and policy number.
Tell your insurer
Report the crash to your motorcycle insurer promptly and keep the claim number.
Keep records and receipts
Keep your damaged helmet and gear, repair estimates, towing bills and records of time missed from work.
Check the deadline
Find out how long you have to bring a claim in your state, and act well before it.
Who pays
If a driver caused the crash, their liability insurance usually pays for the damage and losses. Your own motorcycle policy may include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage for when the driver has none or too little.
Motorcycle policies are not the same as car policies, so the coverage you have may differ from a driver's. Read your policy closely, or ask a lawyer how it applies.
How long you have
Every state limits how long you have to bring an accident claim. In most states the deadline is two to three years from the accident, some states allow less, and claims against a city, county or state agency often need a written notice within months.
Once the deadline passes, you can lose the right to be paid at all, so check yours early. The state guides list the deadlines in Florida, Texas, California, Georgia and New York, with the law each comes from.
How CaseHelp helps
Start with the free case check: a few questions about what happened. Then Sarah, CaseHelp's AI assistant, or a member of our team calls to go over your answers and your options.
If you have a claim, we introduce you to an independent partner law firm. Accident lawyers usually work on contingency, which means no fee unless they win; case costs may apply. There is no obligation at any step.
Deadlines and fault rules by state
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does not wearing a helmet affect my claim?
It depends on your state's rules and the facts. It does not by itself mean you cannot bring a claim. A lawyer can tell you how it applies.
What if the driver says they did not see me?
Not seeing a motorcycle is not an excuse on its own. Photos, witnesses and the police report help show what happened.
What should I do with my damaged gear?
Keep it. Your helmet, jacket and bike can be evidence, so do not throw them away or repair them before they are photographed.
What if I was partly at fault?
Many states still allow a claim, reduced by your share of the fault, but some bar it past a set share. See the state guides.
CaseHelp is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This page is general information, not legal advice, and laws change. For advice about your own situation, talk to a licensed lawyer in your state.