9.3 Crash Duties, Emergency First Aid and Returning to Riding

Crash Duties, Emergency First Aid and Returning to Riding

A crash creates immediate safety, medical and legal duties. Queensland law requires an involved driver or rider to stop and provide information. Police attendance and police reporting are related but not identical.

Stop and provide required particulars

An involved rider must stop at the scene. Required particulars are:

• the rider’s name and address;
• the name and address of the vehicle owner;
• the vehicle registration number, if any; and
• other information necessary to identify the vehicle.

Provide them to every other driver involved, an injured person and the owner of damaged property, or an appropriate representative. The legal “required time” is as soon as possible and, except in exceptional circumstances, within 24 hours. If stopping to exchange would reasonably expose someone to harm, Queensland law provides a route for giving particulars to police; personal safety still matters.

Give reasonable assistance to an injured person. Do not leave because damage appears minor before checking for injury and exchanging details.

When a police report is required

Each driver must give the required particulars to police within the required time if:

• a person is killed or injured;
• the driver does not give particulars to every person who should receive them;
• the other driver’s required particulars are not given to that driver; or
• a motor vehicle involved is towed or carried away by another vehicle.

These are the statutory triggers. “Property damage looks significant” by itself is not one of the listed reportability tests. If no one is injured, no vehicle is towed and everyone exchanges the required particulars, formal reporting is not required, although a voluntary report or insurer notification may still be useful.

QPS says to call 000 when there is death or injury requiring medical attention, a hazardous environment or public-safety threat, suspected alcohol or drug involvement, or another urgent need for police, ambulance or fire services. Non-urgent reporting can use Policelink, the online crash process or a police station as QPS directs.

Make the scene safer

Protect yourself before approaching. Stop where the motorcycle will not create another collision, switch off damaged vehicle ignitions if safe, warn approaching traffic without standing in a live lane and move uninjured people behind a barrier or away from traffic. Do not move an injured person unless leaving them presents a greater danger, such as fire.

Give the operator the exact location, direction of travel, number of casualties, breathing status and hazards such as fuel, power lines or blocked lanes. Follow instructions.

DRSABCD

Use the recognised emergency sequence:

• Danger: check for traffic, fire, fuel and electricity.
• Response: check whether the casualty responds.
• Send for help: call 000 or direct someone to call.
• Airway: open and clear the airway as trained.
• Breathing: check for normal breathing.
• CPR: begin if unresponsive and not breathing normally.
• Defibrillation: use an AED as soon as available.

Apply direct pressure to severe external bleeding if safe and within training. Keep the casualty warm and do not give food or drink.

Helmet and spinal concern

Do not remove an injured rider’s helmet merely to inspect the face or make them comfortable. Keep the head and neck supported and open the visor if appropriate. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, airway and CPR take priority and helmet removal may be necessary. Follow the 000 operator and trained first-aid procedure; untrained improvised two-person instructions can cause delay or movement.

The practical rule is not “the helmet can never come off.” It is “leave it in place unless airway or resuscitation needs require removal.”

Record and follow up

If safe, note witnesses, location, time, road condition and vehicle positions and take photographs after urgent care and scene safety are addressed. Notify the insurer as required. A rider with any possible injury should seek medical assessment because pain and concussion signs can be delayed.

Returning after a crash or long break

Riding skill and risk calibration decline during a long absence. Before returning:

• confirm the licence and any conditions are current;
• have the motorcycle inspected, especially tyres, brakes, fluids and controls;
• replace crash-damaged protective equipment;
• consider a refresher course;
• begin in familiar, low-traffic daylight conditions; and
• rebuild braking, steering and roadcraft progressively.

After a frightening crash, do not let pressure from a group dictate the return. Physical recovery, confidence and professional advice may all be relevant. Safe return is a planned progression, not proof of courage.