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Last Modified on Jun 16, 2026
The steps you take immediately after a motorcycle crash can have a dramatic impact on how the claim-filing process goes when it’s time to hold the driver who caused it liable for your injuries. It can be difficult to figure out “what to do after a motorcycle accident in NC” in the heat of the moment, so take some time to familiarize yourself with what’s necessary now in case the worst should happen later.
What to Do at the Crash Scene
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries. If you believe you may have suffered a head, neck, or back injury, you should avoid moving around and wait for the EMS crew to arrive. If your injuries were less severe and you can move around safely, you should take these steps to protect yourself and your claim:
- Get to safety. Your primary goal should be to get to safety, away from the flow of moving traffic, and help anyone else involved in the accident to do the same.
- Call 911. You should call to report the accident and stay at the scene until the police arrive. Under N.C.G.S. 20-166.1, you must immediately report any crash that involved injuries, death, or property damage that totaled over $1,000 or involved an unattended vehicle.
- Exchange information. Exchange contact information with the other motorists involved, their passengers, and any witnesses to the accident. Get the other drivers’ license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information in addition to their names, addresses, and phone numbers.
- Take photos. Take pictures of the damage to the vehicles, including your bike, and any injuries you sustained before getting medical care for them. Other visual details that could help explain the accident should also be photographed, including road conditions, skid marks, and nearby street signs.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Around 3.6% of all motor vehicle accident injuries involved motorcyclists in 2024. Motorcycle riders are around five times more likely to be injured in a crash than the occupants of passenger vehicles, and the effects of those injuries don’t always appear immediately. Some serious injuries, including internal organ damage and traumatic brain injuries, don’t always show immediate symptoms but can be life-threatening, so it’s essential that you seek medical care.
Heading to a local hospital is the first thing you should do after you leave the scene of a motorcycle crash. You should track your medical treatment as you get it so that you can accurately estimate both the cost of your medical bills and the extent of your pain and suffering. Keep receipts for over-the-counter products and gas to and from doctors’ appointments, and request a copy of your medical record for your lawyer.
Your Next Steps
Once you’ve been medically stabilized, you’ll have to report your accident to your insurance company. Stick to the facts and don’t say anything that could be construed as accepting fault for the accident. You may want to wait to call your insurance company until after you’ve hired a North Carolina motorcycle accident attorney.
You should hire a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash. Your attorney can help you avoid damaging mistakes, such as apologizing to the other driver or implying that you may have been at fault for the accident, and combat negative stereotypes regarding motorcyclists that could lead to a negative outcome in your case.
You should never accept a settlement from an insurance company without running it by a qualified attorney in the Tar Heel State first. Insurance companies are notorious for offering low settlements to accident victims who don’t have lawyers, and once you accept a settlement, you’ve forfeited your right to seek further compensation.
FAQs
What Should You Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident?
Immediately after a motorcycle accident, you should take the time to gather information and evidence that could be useful in your claim if you are not too hurt to do so. Seeking prompt medical care should always be your top priority, but if you can, try to get contact information for the driver and any witnesses to the crash and take photographs of the accident scene while you are waiting for the police to arrive on the scene.
What Is the Four-Second Rule on a Motorcycle?
The four-second rule on a motorcycle refers to the following distance you are supposed to leave between your bike and the car in front of you. Leaving four seconds gives you extra time to respond to things like braking cars, road hazards, and debris in the roadway, potentially making it possible to stop safely in time to avoid an accident.
What Is the Three-Collision Rule?
The three-collision rule refers to how internal injuries occur in a car or motorcycle accident case. The first collision is between your motorcycle and another vehicle or object. The second one happens when your body hits the pavement or another object. The third occurs when your internal organs hit the outside of your body, which is where most of the damage is done.
What Is the Average Payout for a Motorcycle Accident?
There is no average payout for a motorcycle accident because every crash is different. The amount of compensation you receive will vary depending on factors such as how severe your injuries are, whether you held any liability for the crash, and how skilled your lawyer is at negotiating with insurance companies. North Carolina will not allow you to recover any damages if you were found to be even 1% at fault for the accident that caused your injuries.
Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, it’s time to hire a dedicated motorcycle accident lawyer to assist you with your claim. The team here at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., can help. We’ve been in practice for over 40 years, and in that time, we’ve developed a keen understanding of how to leverage motorcycle accident laws to help our clients prove their claims.
Let us bring our years of knowledge and experience to bear on your case. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.
