What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Chicago

Last updated Tuesday, January 27th, 2026

The moments following a motorcycle accident can feel overwhelming. You might be injured, your bike damaged, and you’re trying to process what just happened while traffic moves around you. Knowing what steps to take right now can protect both your health and your legal rights.

Get to Safety First

If you can move and it’s safe to do so, get yourself and your motorcycle out of active traffic lanes. Chicago streets stay busy even after an accident, and the last thing you need is another vehicle colliding with you or your bike. Turn on your hazard lights if your motorcycle still has power, and if you have flares or warning triangles, set them up.

If you’re seriously injured or your bike won’t move, stay where you are and call 911 immediately. Don’t try to be tough and move when you shouldn’t.

Call the Police

Always call the police after a motorcycle accident in Chicago, even if it seems minor. Illinois law requires reporting any crash that causes injury, death, or property damage over $1,500. Given that motorcycle repairs easily exceed that threshold, you’ll need an official report.

When the Chicago Police Department arrives, give them the facts about what happened, but keep it simple. Describe what you saw and experienced without speculating about causes or admitting fault. “The car turned left in front of me” is fine. “I probably should have been going slower” is not.

The police report will include the other driver’s information, witness statements, and the officer’s observations. You’ll need this document when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action. Get the report number and the responding officer’s name and badge number before they leave.

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Check Yourself for Injuries

Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. You might feel fine right now, but have internal bleeding, a concussion, or fractures that haven’t started hurting yet. Pay attention to any pain, dizziness, confusion, or unusual sensations.

Accept medical attention at the scene if paramedics offer it. If they recommend going to the hospital, go. Declining medical care and then showing up at a doctor’s office days later gives insurance companies room to argue your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident.

Even if you refuse ambulance transport, see a doctor within 24 hours. Explain that you were in a motorcycle accident and want a full examination. Some injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries and internal organ damage, don’t show symptoms immediately.

Document Everything at the Scene

If you’re physically able, take photos and videos. Capture:

• Your motorcycle from multiple angles, showing all damage 
• The other vehicle and its damage 
• Skid marks, debris, and the final resting positions of all vehicles 
• Traffic signs, signals, and road conditions 
• Your visible injuries 
• The surrounding area, including street names and landmarks

Chicago has distinct neighborhoods and intersections where accidents happen frequently. Photographs showing you were at, say, the intersection of Milwaukee and Division, or on Lake Shore Drive near Oak Street Beach, provide context that can matter later.

Get contact information from the other driver, including their name, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, insurance company, and policy number. If they’re driving a company vehicle, get the business name and contact information.

Talk to witnesses. People who saw what happened can provide statements that support your version of events. Get their names and phone numbers. If someone recorded the accident on their phone, ask if they’d be willing to share that footage.

Watch What You Say

Do not apologize or say anything that could be interpreted as accepting blame. “I’m sorry” might feel polite, but it can be used against you later. The same goes for “I didn’t see you” or any other statement that suggests you made a mistake.

Stick to exchanging information with the other driver. You’re not required to discuss what happened with them, and honestly, you shouldn’t. Let the police report and evidence speak for themselves.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance company to report the accident, but be careful about giving a recorded statement right away. You’re required to notify them, but you’re not required to provide a detailed account while you’re still processing what happened and before you’ve seen a doctor.

Many people make statements immediately after an accident that later hurt their claims. Wait until you’ve had a chance to review the police report and consult with an attorney before giving a recorded statement to any insurance company, including your own.

Never talk to the other driver’s insurance company without legal representation. They’re not on your side, no matter how friendly they seem. Their job is to minimize what they pay out, and they’re very good at getting accident victims to say things that damage their own claims.

Keep Records of Everything

Start a file for this accident today. Include:

• The police report (once available) 
• Medical records and bills 
• Photos and videos 
• Witness contact information 
• A written account of the accident while the details are fresh 
• A pain journal documenting your symptoms and how injuries affect your daily life 
• Receipts for any accident-related expenses, including transportation to medical appointments

Illinois allows injury victims to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. But you need documentation to prove these losses.

Understand Illinois Comparative Fault Rules

Illinois follows a modified comparative fault system. If you’re found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover anything.

This makes it especially important not to admit fault at the scene. Even if you think you might have done something wrong, let the investigation play out. What seems like your mistake might actually be the other driver’s failure to yield, check their blind spot, or follow traffic laws.

Be Aware of Time Limits

In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If someone died in the accident, their family has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.

Two years might seem like plenty of time, but these cases take months to investigate and prepare. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and medical records become harder to obtain. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Consider Legal Representation

Motorcycle accident cases often involve serious injuries and significant damage. Insurance companies know this and typically come ready to fight. They might deny your claim entirely, argue you were at fault, or offer a settlement that doesn’t come close to covering your actual losses.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can investigate the crash, gather evidence, handle communications with insurance companies, and fight for full compensation. Most work on contingency, meaning you don’t pay unless they recover money for you.

Before you sign anything or accept any settlement offer, talk to a lawyer. Initial consultations are typically free, and you’ll get a clear picture of what your case might be worth and what options you have.

What Not to Do

Just as important as what you should do is what you shouldn’t:

• Don’t leave the scene before the police arrive 
• Don’t move your bike before documenting its position unless safety requires it 
• Don’t discuss the accident on social media 
• Don’t sign anything from any insurance company without reading it carefully 
• Don’t accept the first settlement offer you receive 
• Don’t wait weeks or months to see a doctor and then claim your injuries are from the accident

Moving Forward

The hours and days after a motorcycle accident set the foundation for everything that follows. Taking the right steps now protects your health, preserves evidence, and keeps your legal options open.

You’re dealing with injuries, bike repairs, insurance companies, and maybe time off work. Getting legal help lets you focus on recovering while someone who knows how these cases work handles the complicated parts.

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in Chicago, call our office for a free consultation. We’ll review what happened, explain your rights, and help you understand what compensation you might be entitled to receive. The call costs nothing, and you’re under no obligation. But waiting costs you time you can’t get back.