The Phone Call No Biker Family Wants to Receive
When you get the call that someone you love has been in a motorcycle accident, everything can feel overwhelming.
You may be scared, confused, angry, or unsure what to do first.
Take a breath. Then work through this list one step at a time.
You do not have to do everything at once.
Download Printable Checklist – Print and mark off what you’ve done as you go.
Motorcycle Accident Family Checklist
| First 24 Hours | First Week | Ongoing Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Find Hospital | Organize Paperwork | Track Expenses |
| Notify Family | Contact Attorney | Follow Medical Care |
| Start Notebook | Handle Insurance Calls | Save Receipts |
| Focus on Rider | Locate Motorcycle and Belongings | Apply for Assistance |
Step 1: Confirm Where They Are
Tip: Hospitals may not immediately share information with non-family members due to privacy rules.
Step 2: Contact Immediate Family
One of the most helpful things you can do is become the communication hub.
Choose one person to provide updates.
This prevents the injured rider from receiving dozens of calls and keeps information consistent.
Step 3: Gather Important Information
If possible bring or locate:
Step 4: Focus on First 24 Hours
During the first day, your only priorities are:
Everything else can wait.
Don’t worry about the motorcycle today.
Don’t worry about the paperwork today.
Step 5: Start an Accident Notebook
You will be amazed how quickly details get forgotten.
Use a notebook, notes app, or folder.
Write down:
Step 6: Ask These Questions
When speaking with medical staff:
Write down every answer.
Step 7: Protect Their Financial Life
Should hospitalization be lengthy:
Step 8: Locate the Motorcycle
After medical concerns are addressed:
Is it covered from weather? Has anyone started tearing it apart?
Step 9: Save Every Document
Create a folder for:
The more organized you are now, the easier everything becomes later.
Step 10: Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies
Shortly after a motorcycle accident, insurance companies may begin calling.
They may seem friendly and concerned, but remember that their goal is to investigate the claim and protect their company’s interests.
Before speaking in detail with any insurance company, consider speaking with a motorcycle accident attorney.
Write down the name of every insurance company that contacts you. (Note: It may not be your insurance company contacting you.)
Keep a log of dates, times, and who you spoke with.
Request all communication in writing when possible.
Save every email, letter, voicemail, and text message.
If you are unsure about a question, tell them you need time to review the information.
What you should avoid:
Do not guess about how the accident happened.
Do not speculate about fault.
Do not minimize injuries by saying things like “He’s okay” or “She’s feeling better.”
Do not agree to a recorded statement without understanding your rights.
Do not sign documents you do not fully understand.
Do not accept a settlement offer before knowing the full extent of injuries and expenses.
A simple response is:
“Thank you for calling. We’re still focused on medical treatment and gathering information. We’ll respond after we’ve had an opportunity to review everything.”
Step 11: Consider Speaking With a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
You do not need to decide everything immediately after a crash.
However, many families find it helpful to speak with a motorcycle accident attorney early in the process and we highly recommend you do. Especially when there are serious injuries, disputed fault, uninsured drivers, commercial vehicles, or significant medical expenses.
An attorney can help explain your options, answer questions, and help protect important evidence while your family focuses on recovery.
Situations Where Familes Often Seek Legal Guidance
Serious injuries
Hospitalization or surgery
Permanent injuries or disability
Fatal accidents
Disputed fault
Hit-and-run crashes
Uninsured or underinsured drivers
Insurance claim delays or denials
Lost wages or inability to work
Significant motorcycle damage
Support Bikers maintains a directory of motorcycle accident attorneys across the United States who understand the unique challenges riders face after a crash.
You can browse attorneys by state and location to find legal guidance near you.
Step 12: Don’t Try To Carry It Alone
Motorcycle accidents affect entire families.
People often want to help but don’t know how.
Give them specific tasks:
Bring meals
Watch children
Walk pets
Pick up prescriptions
Drive family members
Help with household chores
Accepting help is not weakness.
It’s survival.
Need Financial Help?
If your injured rider is facing financial hardship because of a motorcycle accident, the Support Bikers Wrecked Rider Fund may be able to help with immediate needs such as groceries, utilities, rent, mortgage payments, or other essential expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions after a Motorcycle Accident
What should I do if my spouse was in a motorcycle accident?
Focus on medical care, gathering information, keeping records, and supporting your loved one. A checklist can help you stay organized during the first few days after a crash.
Should I talk to the insurance company after a motorcycle accident?
Be careful about providing detailed statements before understanding the full extent of injuries and damages. Keep records of all communications.
When should I contact a motorcycle accident attorney?
Many families choose to seek legal guidance when injuries are serious, fault is disputed, or insurance companies begin asking detailed questions. We suggest always calling. If you’re looking for a list of law firms we trust, we suggest seeing if we have a motorcycle accident attorney we know, like, and trust in your state.
What documents should I save after a motorcycle accident?
Save medical records, bills, prescriptions, insurance correspondence, receipts, police report information, and any photos related to the crash.
Should I post about the motorcycle accident on social media?
In the hours and days after a motorcycle accident, it’s best to be cautious about what you share online. Information changes quickly, and early reports are often incomplete or inaccurate.
Avoid posting theories about what happened, assigning blame, arguing with others in the comments, or sharing details that haven’t been confirmed. It’s also wise to think carefully before posting photos from the accident scene.
If friends and family are looking for updates, keep them simple, factual, and focused on your loved one’s condition. A message like, “Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We’ll share updates as we learn more,” is often all that’s needed.
An attorney can always direct you on what to do and not to do.
Related Recovery Resources
✅ 8 Steps to Get Support
✅ Wrecked Rider Fund
✅ Support-A-Biker Fundraisers
✅ Find a Support Bikers Facebook Group
✅ Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Directory
✅ Motorcycle Repair Shops Directory
✅ Motorcycle Towing Services
✅ After the Crash Rider Knowledge Base
✅ Contact Support Bikers
Recovery
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Material provided by SupportBikers.com