Whether you’ve just gotten your CBT or you’re a seasoned rider, the thought of getting into motorcycle accident can feel incredibly daunting. 

We’ve put together this guide to motorcycle accidents and injuries so you can feel more prepared to handle that situation and give you an idea of what the process of recovery can look like. 

Colliding with another motorcycle or car is one of the most common ways for a motorcycle accident to occur, but a third party doesn’t necessarily need to be involved. 

A motorcycle accident could be caused by someone losing control of their vehicle (perhaps due to road or weather conditions), colliding with an object or taking corners too fast. 

There are many reasons why a motorcycle accident might happen, but the bottom line is this: motorbike accidents are extremely unexpected events, which is why it’s so important to stay alert and be prepared, should the worst happen. 

If you can move, it’s best to first get yourself out of the immediate danger of oncoming traffic. 

However, if you think moving will worsen your injuries or are unable to move, try to make yourself more visible by turning on your hazard lights and using warning triangles, and call for help. 

After any accident, make sure to keep your helmet on. Removing it may worsen any potential neck and spinal injuries. This also applies even if you’re feeling okay, as you may have a delayed onset injury, or adrenaline may be making it harder for you to notice injuries. 

If you think someone has been injured, it’s always best to call the emergency services.

Although an accident is obviously a high-stress situation, try to remain as calm as possible when speaking with the operator so you can provide clear information about your location and any injuries.

After an accident in a remote or unfamiliar area, it may be challenging to provide accurate information about your location. To help paramedics easily locate you, you can use the what3words app, which makes it straightforward for them to get to you.

While these are some of the most common injuries that can occur after a motorcycle accident, it’s important to note that this information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for guidance from a medical professional. 

If you’re in an accident, you should always follow the advice of medical services and seek additional help if needed. 

If you’ve lost consciousness, feel dizzy and confused, or have difficulty swallowing, you may have suffered a TBI and will need immediate medical treatment. 

Head injuries can be common after an accident, which is why it’s crucial to ensure your helmet meets the appropriate legal standards. You can read our guide to buying a motorcycle helmet to help you choose the best helmet for you. 

If you break a bone after a crash, you’re most likely to fracture your legs, arms, or pelvis.

Pain in a broken bone is usually described as sharp and intense, and you may see swelling, bruising, or visible bone in more severe cases. 

Often, a broken bone will heal with the help of a cast and some rest, but in some cases, you may require physiotherapy and surgery. 

Crush injuries are common after a motorcycle accident and involve a part of the body being squashed, and can cause issues such as developing nerve damage or compartment syndrome.

If you notice pain that worsens with movement, swelling, or numbness, seek immediate medical attention. 

If you experience numbness in your extremities, loss of movement, or intense pain in your back or neck, you may have experienced a spinal cord injury.

The most important thing you can do after injuring your spine is to stay as still as possible and get help to you, as any movement may further damage your spine.

Although there is no way to prevent spinal injuries, wearing protective clothing with built-in spine protection or a back protector can help keep you safer. There are plenty more great options out there; however - just make sure they’re compatible with the rest of your protective gear.

You will need to inform your insurer about your accident within 24 hours, regardless of if you want to make a claim. Failure to do so can be a breach of contract. If you are unable to inform your insurers, a partner or other next of kin can inform them on your behalf.

You'll also want to collect as much information as possible at the scene, if you do decide to make a claim.

Your insurer will need the following information to make a claim:

• Key details of when and where the accident happened
• Details about the conditions of the road
• Any photos or videos you or other eyewitnesses took
• The police incident reference number (if police attended the scene)
• The details from the other party involved in the accident (such as vehicle information and insurance details)
• The contact details of any eyewitnesses. 

The time a motorcycle claim can take will vary hugely depending on the complexity and severity of the accident. Your claim can be slowed down if there are severe, life changing injuries, if evidence is needed to prove liability or if any parties involved are uncooperative. 

The best thing you can do to help your claim along is provide as much evidence as possible and respond to any requests from your insurer as soon as you can. 

There’s no one answer to this, as the time it takes to recover looks very different from person to person. 

Below is the average recovery and improvement timeframe for some of the most common motorcycle injuries, but you’ll want to speak to your healthcare provider for an accurate understanding of your personal recovery.

Broken bones	Road rash	Crush injuries	Traumatic brain injury	Spinal cord injury
6-12 weeks	A few days to a few weeks	A few weeks to several months	3-6 months	6-18 months

 

Being in a motorcycle accident can have a significant impact on your mental wellbeing, with road incidents being considered a major cause of PTSD. 

If you’ve been in a motorbike accident and are struggling with your mental health, there are charities across the UK that can offer support – including Mental Health Motorbike, a first aid support charity striving to improve wellbeing within the motorcycling community. 

After a motorcycle accident, you may want to complete an advanced rider course. These courses can help you rebuild your confidence, develop a stronger sense of risk awareness and improve your riding abilities. 

Here are some of the most popular advanced rider courses:

• DVSA enhanced rider scheme: This course checks your motorcycle riding skills and provides training to help you improve. It’s a great option for someone returning to riding after a break who wants to check their riding standard.
• IAM RoadSmart: IAMRoadSmart’s advanced rider course can help you develop your core riding skills so you can make your on-road experiences safer and more fulfilling.
• RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders (RoADAR): RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders is a network of groups around the UK that provides free training to help you improve your riding skills and knowledge. You can join a local group via their website. 

 

So, there you have it. I hope you found this guide to motorcycle injuries useful and informative. 

If you do have a motorcycle you need to insure, don’t forget you can get a quote direct with Lexham. Plus, we also offer personal accident cover, to protect against unforeseen events.