What to do after a motorcycle accident
You have just come off your motorcycle and your mind is racing through what happens now.
Get off the road if you can move, and check yourself for injury before the bike. Road rash, joint pain and head knocks can be more serious than they first feel.
What to do right now
- Get yourself and the bike clear of moving traffic if you are able to move safely.
- Keep your helmet on until a responder or medic checks you, since removing it too fast can worsen a neck injury.
- Photograph the bike, the other vehicle, the road surface and your gear before anything is moved.
- Exchange details with the other driver: name, identity card number, phone number and vehicle registration.
- Get contact details from anyone who saw the accident happen.
- Lodge a police report the same day, and get checked by a doctor even if you feel able to walk away.
Why gear and the bike itself matter as evidence
Your helmet, jacket and the bike’s damage show how the impact happened. Keep them rather than discarding damaged gear. A cracked helmet or torn jacket can support how forceful the collision was.
Who is at fault, and who pays?
Motor insurance is compulsory for motorcycles as it is for cars, and the at-fault party’s insurer pays a valid injury claim.[1] You do not need to argue fault at the scene. It is worked out afterwards from the evidence.
If the other side raises helmet use, Malaysian courts share responsibility between the parties rather than throwing out the claim over one factor.
Next steps once you are safe
What to do after a road accident sets out the fuller sequence. Lodging a police report covers what to bring and say. Making a road accident claim explains the process for an injured rider.
If the other driver’s insurer contacts you before you have recovered, an independent lawyer can take the claim on. Send the accident date, where it happened, whether anyone was injured (yes/no) and the police report status.
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
Common questions
I was not wearing a helmet properly. Does that end my claim?
No, it does not end a claim. Malaysian courts can reduce an award where a rider's own conduct, such as not wearing a helmet correctly, contributed to the injury, but this reduces the amount rather than removing the claim entirely.
The car driver says I was riding too fast. What now?
Do not argue it out at the roadside. What actually decides fault is the evidence, road layout and witness accounts gathered afterward, not whichever version is said first or said loudest.
Should I let the other driver's insurer 'settle it quietly' at the scene?
It is worth being cautious before agreeing to anything at the roadside. A quick private arrangement can feel easier in the moment, but it can also close off a proper claim before your injuries are fully understood.
My motorcycle looks fine but I am aching all over. Should I still get checked?
Yes. Impact injuries such as whiplash, road rash under gear, or joint strain are common in motorcycle accidents and are not always obvious straight away, so a same-day medical check is worth doing regardless of how the bike looks.
Sources
- Road Transport Act 1987, s.90-s.91 (accessed 2026-09-22)
Need a lawyer to handle your injury claim?
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.