Prepare to ride...preserve a life...it may be your own
Maverick in collaboration with Eric Sondeen - Feb 4, 2010

Motorcycle safety is something that every motorcyclist thinks about – his or her own. Experienced riders understand that while riding they will be faced with many challenges. Arriving home safely is a product of proactive planning, preparation, and performance before and during the ride. 

Less than one year ago, Cycle Matters published an article entitled: “Motorcycle operator behavior that promotes motorcycle safety.” This article covers most important proactive behaviors to assure motorcyclists arrive alive.   We believe that most motorcycle accidents could have been pre-empted by implementing the behaviors identified in that article.

Part of being proactive and responsible as a motorcyclist and as a motor vehicle operator, is to be prepared for any and all contingencies. I, for one, am still learning. This article is intended for those of us who want to be responsible motorcycle operators and companions riders, while using the roadway. 

This article is not intended to set a standard of care, nor is it intended to inform or take the place of first responders or intervention by persons with first aid training.  Rather the thought process is this. Uninformed intervention can do more harm to a victim than no intervention at all. Meaning, if you come on the scene of a motorcycle accident and if you are not a certified first responder, and I am the victim: don’t remove my helmet, don’t move me unless there is a fire, do help me breath, and stop the bleeding. Keep other vehicles away from me and call 911. Make sense?! 

Allow me to repeat: keep other vehicles from running over me, don’t remove my helmet*, do help me breath by opening my airway, make sure I am not bleeding to death, call 911, and do not move me unless there is risk of fire. If you do these things, you have increased my chances of living through this ordeal. 

*Note one exception: if opening my airway can only be achieved by removing my “full-face” helmet, two people best accomplish this by working together, one stabilizing neck and head and one removing the helmet.

Are you prepared before you ride? 

Always carry (in your billfold, purse, or prominent location on your motorcycle), pertinent “In Case of Emergency,” (ICE), information including:

• Personal: Name, Address, City, State, Zip, and Phone Numbers (of spouse, best friend, or other person to be contacted).
• Medical: Birth Date, Blood Type, Allergies, Medical Conditions, and Medications.
• Insurance: Medical Insurance Carrier, ID number, Group Number, Carrier Address, Carrier Phone, Doctor Name, and Doctor Phone.
• Miscellaneous: Emergency Contact, Emergency Contact Phone, and Relationship To You.

First responders are trained to search for this kind of information. Having this information with you will go a long way toward preserving life – yours and others. 

• Pack a First Aid Kit.

If you come on the scene of an accident. 

If you are riding in a group of motorcyclists, only those designated as Road Captains, Certified First Responders, and Sweeps should stop. All others should proceed to the next safe stop at the discretion of the Lead Road Captain.

First, manage and stabilize the accident scene. If you are able, do these things: make sure everyone at the scene is safe from further harm, stop the flow of bodily fluids, call 911 or police, manage traffic away from the scene, and do not move victims. If possible, use hazard lights and do not put yourself in danger.

DO NOT REMOVE A MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR’S OR PASSENGER’S HELMET UNLESS A “FULL-FACE” HELMET IS BLOCKING VICTIM’S AIRWAY!

Second: Continue to tend to victims, manage the flow of bodily fluids, protect from oncoming traffic, and make them comfortable (by covering with warm blankets, etc.).  Continue to monitor the victim and develop contingency plans in case first responders do not arrive in a time.  

Third: When the first responders arrive, answer their questions by providing them with the necessary information so that they are able to assess the accident scene. Follow first responder and police advice. If you are injured, go to the hospital for a full checkup. Request a copy of the police report (this may take up to two weeks for the police to make available to you).

Fourth: Take in the accident scene. Many times, whatever mental notes you have taken will be lost when the adrenaline of a motorcycle accident wears off.  Write down all important information regarding the accident scene including: 

• Types of vehicles involved
• Color of vehicles involved
• Insurance information
• Names/numbers of other parties involved in accident
• Roadway conditions
• License plate numbers
• Accident Location
• Road Conditions
• Direction of travel
• What all vehicles were doing at the time of the collision
• Obtain names, addresses, and phone numbers of witnesses

Use your phone camera or a regular camera and take pictures of the scene, including the vehicles involved. 

Fifth:  Exchange information with, any other parties involved, such as address and phone number. If an automobile or other vehicle is involved, get the license plate number; make, model and year of the vehicle, driver’s insurance information, car registration number, and driver’s license number.

Sixth: Report the accident to your insurance agent as soon as possible.

Click here for more information on accident scene management including training programs.