What you document at the scene of a motorcycle accident — if you're physically able to do so safely — can meaningfully affect how clearly the facts are established later, whether for an insurance claim or simply for your own records.
Photography priorities
If you're able to safely take photos, a general order of priority:
- Overall scene, wide shots: Capture the full intersection or road segment, vehicle positions relative to lane markings, traffic signals, and signage
- Vehicle damage, close-up: Both your motorcycle and the other vehicle(s) involved, from multiple angles
- Skid marks and debris: These can help establish speed, braking, and point of impact
- Road conditions: Surface defects, weather conditions, lighting, and visibility factors
- Visible injuries: Photograph injuries if you're comfortable doing so, recognizing that visible bruising sometimes appears more clearly hours or days later (a follow-up photo can be useful too)
- License plates and insurance information: Photograph the other vehicle's plate and the insurance card if exchanged, reducing the chance of transcription errors
Witness information
Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the accident, even briefly. If they're willing, ask them to briefly describe what they observed in their own words — either in writing or by voice memo, with their permission — while the memory is fresh.
Official documentation
- Police report number: Ask the responding officer for the report number and how to obtain a copy once it's finalized
- Officer's name and badge number: Useful for following up on the report
- SR-1 confirmation: Once filed, keep confirmation of your SR-1 submission to the DMV
Documentation that continues after the scene
Evidence collection doesn't end when you leave the scene:
- Medical records: Every visit, test, and diagnosis related to the crash
- Repair estimates: From your motorcycle shop, ideally an independent estimate if you have any disagreement with an insurer's assessment
- Financial records: Pay stubs or other documentation showing lost income from missed work
- A personal journal: Some people find it useful to keep brief notes on pain levels, limitations, and how the injury affects daily life over time — this kind of contemporaneous record can be more persuasive than reconstructing the timeline from memory months later
A note on safety first
None of this documentation matters if collecting it puts you or others at further risk. If you're injured, focus on getting to safety and receiving medical care — evidence collection is secondary to your physical wellbeing, and others at the scene (witnesses, responding officers) can often help fill in gaps you weren't able to document yourself.
This article is educational only and describes general documentation practices, not legal advice for your specific situation.