Motorcycle accident: recovery and repair checklist

Bottom line: if you've come off your motorcycle in the UK and it wasn't your fault, our recovery, repair and hire charges can usually be recovered from the at-fault driver's insurer or the Motor Insurers' Bureau, with nothing to pay us up front (credit-hire terms apply, and you may be liable for the charges if they aren't recovered). Your loss of earnings is your own claim. If you want, the evidence can be passed, with our charges, to the solicitors who handle recovery. They will explain their terms and any fee to you before acting for you.

This checklist covers the steps we talk riders through when they call us after an accident.

The first 5 minutes: your own safety

Riders often skip this in shock:

1. Get out of the traffic if you safely can. Move to the pavement or verge, and move the bike only if it's easy to do. A second collision is a real risk.
2. If anyone is hurt, call 999.
3. Call 999 too if the road is blocked or the other driver tries to leave. Otherwise call 101; a police log helps.

The first 30 minutes: evidence

If it's safe, gather evidence now while it exists:

Photographs (as many as you can safely take):

• The other vehicle's plate (clear, sharp)
• Damage to the other vehicle
• Damage to your bike: every panel, every angle
• The road scene: wide-angle, both directions
• Skid marks (yours and theirs)
• Debris, especially any glass or plastic from the other vehicle
• Road conditions (wet or dry, visibility, sun position)
• Any relevant road signs or traffic signals
• A photo of the other driver only if they consent (otherwise write a description)
• Time-stamped: your phone does this automatically

Witness details: name, mobile, a one-line account. A 30-second voice memo is fine.

Look for CCTV: TfL camera, bus camera, shopfront, ATM, dashcam from a passing vehicle. Note the location and time precisely, as retention periods are often short.

Don't discuss blame. Say: "I'll pass on my details. Please speak to my insurer."

The first hour: get help to the scene

If anyone is hurt, call 999 first. Then call us on 0208 090 8872 (open 24/7). We can arrange:

• Recovery of the damaged bike to secure storage
• A replacement vehicle, where a suitable one is available
• Repair in our workshop

When the other driver was at fault, our charges are claimed from their insurer, so there's nothing to pay up front. Any replacement is on credit-hire terms: you sign a hire agreement and may be liable for the charges if they aren't recovered.

In the first 24 hours: paperwork

• Police: get the incident number or Crime Reference Number. Needed for any MIB application.
• Your insurer: tell your insurer about the accident as your policy requires. Questions about your policy are for your insurer.

Documents to have ready

• Your driving licence (and CBT certificate, DL196, if you ride on a CBT)
• MOT certificate, if the bike is over 3 years old
• Insurance certificate
• V5C logbook

If anything had lapsed at the time, tell us straight away.

What we provide

For a non-fault motorcycle accident:

• Recovery and storage: picking the bike up and storing it until the repair is authorised
• Bike repair in our workshop
• Replacement vehicle for the repair period, where reasonably needed
• Write-off: if the bike can't be repaired, the at-fault insurer values it. We provide repair and valuation evidence
• Lost earnings: for delivery riders, this is your own claim. If you want, the evidence can be passed, with our charges, to the solicitors who handle recovery. They will explain their terms and any fee to you before acting for you. Our calculator gives a rough estimate

Mistakes UK riders make

1. Accepting cash from the other driver. "£500 and we forget it" sounds reasonable at the scene. Think carefully before accepting a cash offer from the other driver. A small sum may not cover repairs, hire and time off the road, and accepting it may affect what can be recovered later.
2. Delaying. Witnesses become unreachable, CCTV gets overwritten, memories fade. Get in touch within 24 hours.

Hit-and-run or uninsured driver

If the other driver drove off or was uninsured, the Motor Insurers' Bureau is involved under the Uninsured or Untraced Drivers' Agreements. The process is paperwork-heavy and usually slower.

See our uninsured driver MIB guide: the same process applies to motorcycles.

What to do right now

If you've just come off the bike, get a repair and hire quote or call 0208 090 8872. Our line is open 24/7 and we'll arrange recovery as quickly as we can. No upfront cost when the other driver was at fault (credit-hire terms apply).

Save this checklist. Pin it in your rider WhatsApp group.

This article is general information, not legal advice. If anyone is hurt, call 999.