What to do in an ACCIDENT

Whilst careful and safe riding can definitely minimise the chances of an accident occurring, it’s always worthwhile to think about your priorities, should the worst happen. Here are our key tips to help prepare you if you do have the misfortune to be invo

What constitutes an accident?

You should always stop if you are involved in a road traffic accident, no matter whether you think it was your fault or not, as you may be required as a witness. As a guideline, the following are the parameters that define exactly what is normally considered to be a notifiable incident: If anyone other than you is injured If another vehicle, or someone else's property, is damaged If an animal in another vehicle, or running across the road, is injured If a bollard, street lamp, or other item of street furniture is damaged.

Swapping information

Make sure you swap insurance or witness details with anyone else involved in the incident. If these are not swapped at the time, the vehicle driver has the duty to pass over their details to the Police within 24 hours. If any personal injury has been caused, the driver must produce a valid insurance certificate. If the driver does not have the certificate to hand at the time of the accident, it must be taken to a police station within seven days of the accident. If the accident has resulted in damage only, the driver must hand over their details to anyone wishing to claim from them.

If you are involved in an accident and the other party refuses to pass on their details, note down the registration number of the vehicle and the Police will be able to trace the owner and their insurance company.

What else needs doing?

In all accidents you are involved in, you should inform your own insurance company, regardless of fault. You do not need to discuss whose fault the accident was at the time of the incident, as this is for the insurers to decide. If there are witnesses around, try and get evidence from them and ask them to write down their statement as soon as possible, as it can take time before any dispute is settled in court. If you or anyone else is injured, call the Emergency Services and wait for them to arrive before you take your helmet off, or anyone is moved. In the meantime, you need to make sure you or the rider in question is as warm and comfortable as possible. Stay calm, sit tight and try not to move in case an injury is aggravated.

First on scene

If you happen to be the first on the scene of an accident involving a biker, would you know what to do? Would you know who’s most at risk? Would you know how to protect the area? Would you know whether or not you should remove the helmet of a rider who is injured or unconscious? Those first few moments directly after an accident has occurred can be crucial in minimising injuries, and can make a real difference to the health of those involved. That’s why we recommend that you take a proactive approach and get yourself some relevant training, to ensure you’re better equipped to help an injured rider in the future. Someone taking control of the scene, and implementing some basic first aid, can make the world of difference to the final outcome of the injured party. Of course, it’s worth mentioning that you should not attempt any unfamiliar first aid technique without the appropriate training.

Biker Down

Biker Down is a course run by bikers for bikers, and has been designed to help remove uncertainty from an accident, and also to prepare motorcyclists, should the worst happen on the road.

The free, three-hour course makes use of the expertise of Emergency Services and Road Safety Officers, and is aimed at motorcyclists of all ages and experience.

The course offers riders the chance to learn practical skills to help avoid being involved in a crash, as well as essential first aid training and advice on what to do should they find themselves first on the scene, when someone is injured.

What you’ll cover

Crash Scene Management – advice from the Emergency Services personnel on how to protect a casualty and other road users that may have stopped to assist. Casualty Care – a motorcycle-specific input, looking at basic lifesaving skills such as CPR, airway management and helmet removal (when & how). The Science of Being Seen – a session looking at conspicuity issues and the classic SMIDSY situations.

Admittedly, there are a range of training courses available from a selection of providers throughout the country, and a quick search on the Internet will help you find one closest to you.

So what are you waiting for? Get yourself booked on a course, because you won’t regret it.