What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Texas: A Rider's First-48-Hours Checklist

The hours right after a motorcycle crash are a blur, and what you do in them can shape everything that follows. Texas is an at-fault state, which means recovery comes from the driver who caused the wreck, so the proof you gather in those first two days matters more than almost anything else. Here is a clear checklist for the first 48 hours.

At the scene

Get to safety and call 911. Always ask for a police report, even for what looks minor. Photograph everything: both vehicles, the road, skid marks, signals, and the wider intersection. Get the driver's license, plate, and insurance, and the names and numbers of any witnesses before they leave.

Get checked, even if you feel fine

Adrenaline hides injuries. Road rash, a sore wrist, or a headache can mask something serious, and a gap in treatment is the first thing an insurer uses to question your claim. See a doctor the same day or the next morning and keep every record.

Why fault is everything in Texas

Because Texas is an at-fault state, your recovery comes from the at-fault driver and their insurer, not from a no-fault system. That makes documenting the other driver's mistake and your own injuries the center of everything. Save bills, photograph your healing injuries weekly, and keep a simple journal of pain and missed work.

Before you talk to the insurance company

You are not required to give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement, and early calls are designed to lock you into a low number. Report the crash to your own insurer, get medical care, and talk to a Texas motorcycle attorney before you sign or say anything that could be used to shrink your claim.

Ride Nation Austin is here for the community. If you or someone you ride with goes down, this checklist is a starting point, not legal advice for your specific case.