A motorcycle crash can turn an ordinary day into a stressful mess. You may be dealing with pain, repair bills, missed work, and calls from insurance companies while trying to get back on your feet. The last thing you need is a problem with your accident claim because of something you did not know.
For riders in Philadelphia and beyond, the steps taken after a crash can affect how an insurance claim moves forward. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,228 motorcyclists died in traffic crashes in 2024, making up 16% of all traffic deaths that year. Many other riders survive crashes but face injuries and financial stress.
If you’re hurt, knowing what to avoid can help you protect your rights. Here are five common mistakes that may make a motorcycle accident claim harder to resolve.
1. Waiting Too Long to Get Medical Care
After a crash, you might feel shaken but believe you are fine. Some injuries, including head injuries and damage to the neck or back, may not cause clear signs right away. Putting off medical care can put your health at risk and make it harder to show how the crash affected you.
Gaps in care may lead an insurer to question whether your injuries came from the crash or whether they were as serious as you say. Prompt treatment creates a clearer record of what happened and how your recovery is going. And ensure you keep all medical bills and payment receipts.
2. Failing to Gather Evidence at the Scene
If your health allows, take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and visible injuries immediately after a crash. Get the other driver’s contact and insurance details, and ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers. Call the police when needed and keep a copy of the crash report when it becomes available.
Do not put yourself in danger to collect evidence. If you cannot do it yourself, a friend or another person at the scene may be able to help. Later, a lawyer experienced in motorcycle crashes, including attorneys at Kwartler Manus, can help identify records and other evidence that may support your claim.
3. Giving the Insurance Company Too Much Information
An insurance adjuster may contact you soon after the accident. State where and when the accident happened, but do not divulge any further information. You are not legally required to, even though the adjuster makes it seem that way. Do not tell them you’re fine when they ask, “How are you?” Saying that you feel fine could be used to question a later report of pain.
Guessing about your speed or accepting blame before all the facts are known can also create problems. Stay truthful, but do not speculate. If you are unsure about a request or feel pressured to accept an offer, consider speaking with a motorcycle accident attorney in Philadelphia before making a decision. Your lawyer can also take charge of the correspondence with the adjuster to prevent you from making costly statements.
4. Posting About the Crash on Social Media
When something upsetting happens, it is natural to share an update with friends. But posts, photos, and comments about your accident may be reviewed during a claim. Even an innocent message can be taken out of context.
For example, a photo of you smiling at a family gathering. An insurer may try to use it to challenge your account of pain or limited movement. A quick post about being back on your feet could also create confusion if you are still receiving treatment.
5. Missing Deadlines or Accepting a Quick Settlement
Before accepting an offer, review what it covers and whether signing it means giving up the right to seek more money later. Once a settlement is final, you may not be able to reopen the claim simply because your injuries turn out to be more serious than expected.
Deadlines are important, too. Under Pennsylvania law, many personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years, although exceptions may apply. Don’t assume that talking to an insurer pauses this deadline. Get advice early if you are unsure how much time you have.
Final Words
A motorcycle accident can leave you with enough to worry about without adding avoidable claim problems. Get medical care, save useful evidence, be careful with insurance statements, and keep details of your accident off social media. Before signing a settlement, make sure you understand what you may be giving up.
