What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Motorcycle Accident in Indiana

September 10, 2026

• A motorcycle accident in Indiana can lead to serious injuries and a costly recovery, and insurance companies may try to shift blame in order to avoid paying you what you need to be made whole.
• What you do (and don’t do) in the first 24 hours after the accident can determine the success of your case, so be sure to call the authorities, document evidence, see a doctor, and contact an attorney.
• An Indiana motorcycle accident lawyer who knows the law and will defend you against the insurance companies can help you get what you deserve.

You’ve probably seen the bumper stickers: “Watch Out for Motorcycles.” They’re on cars everywhere in Indiana, offering some reassurance to anyone out for a ride. The problem is that those stickers tend to be used by people who already watch out for motorcycles, but too many drivers still treat them like a suggestion.

If you are in a motorcycle accident in Indiana, the first 24 hours after the crash are crucial. What you do in that time period can affect your claim and your ability to recover financially in the expensive and often painful aftermath.

You’ll have injuries. You’ll have bills. You’ll have insurance companies trying to confuse or lowball you. But you’ll be in a better position if you follow these steps. And if you work with a qualified, tenacious Indiana motorcycle lawyer, you’ll have someone who actually is watching out for you.

What To Do at the Scene of the Accident

You might be riding in Indianapolis or the hills outside of Lafayette. You could be in Hammond in the chaotic traffic near Hammond Central. You could be in a motorcycle accident in Greenwood. Urban or suburban, exurban or rural: what happens next is up to you.

Remember, all of this advice depends on you being physically able to follow it. Be safe, and don’t hurt yourself more.

1. Call 911. There’s virtually never a minor motorcycle accident. You’ll want the authorities to be involved so that they can create an accident report. This keeps it from being your word against the other driver’s.
2. Gather evidence. Take pictures of the crash scene. Take pictures of any damage. Talk to witnesses and get their statements before memory starts to distort, and make sure you get contact information as well.
3. Document yourself! Your pants, helmet, and jacket may all have marks testifying to the severity of the accident. Take pictures of them and, if possible, keep them on.
4. Avoid apologizing or admitting fault. It’s human nature to try to make a bad situation seem better by apologizing. But doing so can be used against you by the opposing insurance company.

From here, the important next step is to seek medical help.

Don’t “Feel Fine”: Go to a Hospital

There’s a certain pride among motorcyclists, and a temptation to shrug off injuries. You might even “feel fine” – the adrenaline that follows a crash can mask pain that may not show up until later.

It’s not just pain either. Motorcycle accidents are well known to cause internal bleeding or organ damage, not to mention traumatic brain injuries. These might not emerge for hours or even days after the crash. It’s scary.

What’s also scary is that insurance companies may be able to use your lack of a hospital visit against you. They’ll argue that not seeking prompt attention means that you actually were fine. How much pain and suffering could you feel if you didn’t even see a doctor right away?

Even if the injuries do make themselves known later, the insurers can still sow confusion and try to claim that they’re not the result of the accident. This is why it’s critical to start a paper trail that documents every visit and every injury as soon as you can.

Bonus: What NOT to Do

As should be clear, there are a lot of ways you can damage your claim. You can cost yourself tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With this in mind, here are some things NOT to do after your Indiana motorcycle accident.

• DON’T give a recorded statement to the other insurance company. An adjuster may call you in the confusing hours after the crash to ask what happened. This isn’t a nice conversation. It’s a way to get you to say something that can be used against you. Decline and say you’ll talk to your lawyer instead.
• DON’T post on social media. Any posts – including the most innocuous ones like “doing better!” – can be used to prove that you don’t deserve a settlement. Even talking about your case can damage it. Just stay away from the internet for a while.
• DON’T accept a quick settlement. Remember, you don’t know how much your bills will be. You don’t know the extent of your losses. Insurance companies want to pay you less than they think they’ll have to and will usually lowball you.
• DON’T go it alone.

Dealing with insurance companies is hard, especially when you’ve been in an accident and are dealing with work issues and the recovery process too. Their job is to confuse you and get you to accept something less than what you need. They’re professionals.

That’s why you need attorneys who understand Indiana motorcyclists. You need a legal team that knows how to stand up to the insurance companies, that knows their tricks and how to push back against them.

You need Indiana motorcycle accident lawyers who are willing to go the distance with you.

Reach Out to Our Experienced Indiana Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

The motorcycle accident lawyers who will ride alongside you every step of the way are at Hensley Legal Group, PC, a dedicated Indiana personal injury law firm whose experienced attorneys have been fighting on behalf of the wrongfully injured since 1998.

Simply call us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form now for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Indiana motorcycle accident attorney.