Posted on Monday, June 1st, 2026 at 9:00 am
A motorcycle accident can happen in seconds, leaving you injured, shaken, and unsure of your next steps. Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident in Washington can help protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to recover compensation. This guide walks you through the essential actions you may want to take immediately after a crash and in the days that follow.
Why Choose Briggs & Briggs for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
When you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, you may want an attorney who understands the unique challenges riders face. Briggs & Briggs has represented injured motorcycle riders throughout Washington since 1952. Our team recovered $2.1 million in a motorcycle accident case involving a dangerous highway defect—a result that demonstrates our commitment to working toward maximum compensation for our clients.
Shawn Briggs, our founding partner, has nearly 40 years of experience in personal injury law and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and top Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Together, they lead a team dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable.
We understand that cost shouldn’t prevent you from getting quality legal representation. That’s why we work on a contingency-fee basis—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for your case. Your initial consultation is free and confidential. Call (253) 588-6696 today to discuss your motorcycle accident claim.
Immediate Actions at the Accident Scene
The moments immediately following a motorcycle accident are important. Your safety and the safety of others must come first. The actions you take now can also protect your legal rights and strengthen any future claim.
Move to Safety and Call 911
If you can move safely, get yourself and any injured passengers out of traffic. If you’re unable to move or are seriously injured, stay where you are and wait for emergency responders. Call 911 immediately—do not leave the scene of the accident under any circumstances. Leaving the scene is illegal and can result in criminal charges.
When you call 911, provide the dispatcher with your location, a description of the accident, and information about any injuries. Request both police and ambulance services. Stay on the line with the dispatcher until help arrives.
Check for Injuries and Get Medical Help
After ensuring you’re in a safe location, assess yourself and any passengers for visible injuries. Even if you feel fine, accept medical evaluation from emergency responders. Motorcycle accident injuries can be serious and may not be immediately apparent. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injury, can develop hours after the accident.
If paramedics offer transport to a hospital, accept it. If they don’t offer transport but you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, request an ambulance. Document any injuries you observe, including cuts, bruises, or areas of pain. This documentation can become important evidence later in your personal injury claim.
Document Everything at the Scene
Thorough documentation at the accident scene can strengthen your claim and help your attorney establish what happened. Take time to gather information and evidence while details are fresh.
Gather Information from Other Parties
Get the other driver’s full name, phone number, and home address. Record their insurance company name and policy number. Note their vehicle’s make, model, color, and license plate number. Ask for their driver’s license number and write it down.
Do not discuss fault or apologize for the accident. Stick to factual statements about what happened. Avoid making statements like “I’m sorry” or “This is my fault,” as these can be used against you later. Understanding comparative fault is critical at this stage.
Collect Witness Information
Witnesses provide valuable, unbiased accounts of the accident. Get the names and contact information from anyone who saw the crash. Ask each witness to briefly describe what they saw. If possible, request permission to take a photo or video of their statement.
Witnesses often leave the scene quickly, so prioritize collecting their information before they depart. If you’re unable to get complete information, at least get a first name and phone number so your attorney can follow up later. Learn more about key witness questions at the scene of a car accident.
Take Photos and Videos
Use your phone to photograph the accident scene from multiple angles. Capture vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, weather conditions, and any hazards like debris, oil spills, or potholes. Take close-up photos of your injuries if they’re visible.
Document the location and time of day. If possible, photograph the surrounding area to show visibility conditions and traffic patterns. These photos can become important evidence in establishing how the accident occurred.
Handle Police Reports and Insurance Notifications
A police report creates an official record of the accident. Your insurance company will also need to be notified, but how you communicate with them matters significantly.
File a Police Report
When police arrive, provide a factual account of what happened. Describe the events leading up to the accident, what you were doing, and what you observed. Do not admit fault or apologize. Do not speculate about what the other driver was thinking or why they acted as they did.
Request a copy of the police report for your records. Note the officer’s name and badge number. The police report can become important documentation for your claim, even though it’s not always admissible in court.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance company promptly. However, be careful about what you say. Provide only the basic facts: date, time, location, and parties involved. Avoid detailed explanations or statements about fault.
Consider having an attorney present before giving a detailed recorded statement to your insurance company. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize your claim. Learn how to negotiate with insurance adjusters after a car accident to protect your interests during these conversations.
Protect Your Legal Rights After the Accident
The days and weeks following your accident are important for protecting your legal rights and building a strong claim.
Seek Medical Care Immediately
Even if you declined ambulance transport at the scene, visit an emergency room or urgent care facility as soon as possible. Motorcycle accidents frequently cause injuries that aren’t immediately obvious. A medical professional can identify injuries you might have missed.
Follow all medical recommendations and attend every follow-up appointment. Keep detailed records of all medical visits, treatments, prescriptions, and expenses. Document how your injuries affect your ability to work, perform household tasks, and enjoy activities you previously enjoyed. Your medical records are critical to your personal injury case.
Preserve Evidence and Records
Gather and organize all documentation related to the accident: medical bills, insurance documents, police reports, photos, and witness statements. Keep these records in a safe place.
Maintain a journal documenting your recovery progress, pain levels, and how injuries impact your daily life. This journal can become valuable evidence of your pain and suffering. Understanding how pain and suffering is calculated can help you document your losses properly.
Avoid posting about the accident on social media. Insurance companies monitor social media accounts, and posts can be misinterpreted or used against you. Do not discuss the accident, your injuries, or any settlement negotiations with anyone except your attorney.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Contact Briggs & Briggs for a free consultation as soon as possible. The sooner you have legal representation, the sooner we can begin investigating your accident and protecting your rights. Provide your attorney with all documentation and evidence you’ve gathered.
Let your attorney handle all communication with insurance companies and the other party’s representatives. This can protect you from making statements that could harm your claim. Your attorney understands Washington law and knows how to negotiate with insurance companies to work toward maximum compensation.
Understanding Washington’s Comparative Fault Law
Washington uses a pure comparative fault system, which can be favorable to injured accident victims. Under this system, you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were awarded $100,000 in damages but found to be 30 percent at fault, you would receive $70,000. This is different from many states that prohibit recovery if you’re 50 percent or more at fault. Washington’s pure comparative fault system allows victims to recover damages even if they were primarily at fault, as established under Revised Code of Washington § 4.22.005.
An experienced attorney can work to ensure that fault is properly assigned and that your percentage of responsibility is minimized. Insurance companies often try to assign higher percentages of fault to injured riders. Your attorney can work toward a fair allocation of fault. Learn more about understanding comparative fault in car accidents in Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents in Washington
How long do I have to file a claim after a motorcycle accident?
Washington law gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, don’t wait until the last minute. The sooner you file, the fresher the evidence and the easier it is to locate witnesses. Insurance companies also move quickly to settle claims, so early action can put you in a stronger negotiating position. Learn more about suing after accident time limits.
What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Washington does not have a mandatory helmet law for all riders. However, not wearing a helmet may be considered in determining damages or fault. An attorney can explain how this applies to your specific situation and work to minimize any impact on your claim. Read more about bicycle accident helmet laws for additional context on helmet-related liability.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Washington’s pure comparative fault law allows you to recover compensation even if you were primarily at fault for the accident. Your award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but you can still recover. This can be a significant advantage for injured riders. Discover the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer to navigate these complex rules.
What damages can I recover?
You may recover several types of damages: medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, property damage to your motorcycle, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and in cases involving reckless or malicious conduct, punitive damages. An attorney evaluates your specific losses and works to recover the full amount you may be entitled to. Learn how compensation is calculated after a car accident.
Do I need an attorney for my motorcycle accident claim?
While not legally required, an attorney can significantly increase your chances of obtaining fair compensation. Studies show that injured people who hire an attorney recover substantially more than those who handle claims alone. An attorney can handle negotiations, protect your rights, and work toward ensuring you receive fair compensation. Understand the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer for your case.
Get Help From Briggs & Briggs Today
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Lakewood, Tacoma, or anywhere in Washington, Briggs & Briggs is ready to help. We’ve represented injured riders since 1952 and recovered millions in compensation for our clients. Visit our results page to see our track record of success.
Call (253) 588-6696 today for a free, confidential consultation. We work on a contingency-fee basis—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for your case. Don’t let the other party’s insurance company take advantage of you. Let our experienced attorneys work toward the compensation you may be entitled to.
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