11.3 At the Scene of a Crash
Key Takeaways
- If you come upon or are involved in a crash, first move yourself and your motorcycle out of the traffic lane before doing anything else
- Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger — such as fire or oncoming traffic — because movement can worsen injuries
- Call 911 (or the local emergency number) and give a clear location — nearest cross street, highway exit, or landmark — and the number of vehicles involved
- Provide aid only within your training; do not remove a helmet unless it is blocking the airway
- If you are involved in a crash you are legally required to remain at the scene, give all reasonable assistance, and exchange your name and address, the registered owner's name and address, the licence plate number, and your insurance information
The minutes after a crash are chaotic. Riders who stay calm and follow a simple order of priorities can save lives — including their own. Learn to Ride Smart teaches a scene-response sequence built on safety first, help second, and information third.
Step 1: Secure the Scene
The biggest danger at a crash scene is being hit by a second crash. Traffic keeps moving toward you, and distracted drivers may not see you in time.
- Move yourself out of the traffic lane first. If you can walk, get to the shoulder or off the road entirely. Your motorcycle is replaceable; you are not.
- Move your motorcycle off the road if it is safe to do so. This reduces the chance of a secondary collision and clears the lane for emergency vehicles.
- Turn on hazard lights if your motorcycle or a nearby vehicle still has working lights. At night, use headlights, a phone flashlight, or flares to warn approaching drivers.
- Watch for fire or fuel. Leaking fuel near a hot engine or exhaust is a fire risk. If you smell fuel or see smoke, move everyone well back and keep people from smoking near the scene.
Step 2: Do Not Move the Injured
The temptation to help an injured rider up is strong, but moving them can make spinal or internal injuries far worse.
- Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger — for example, fire, oncoming traffic, or a fuel leak.
- Do not remove a rider's helmet unless it is blocking the airway and you are trained in helmet removal. Removing a helmet improperly can cause permanent spinal damage.
- Keep the injured person warm and still. Cover them with a jacket or blanket if available.
- Talk to them calmly. Reassure them that help is on the way.
Step 3: Call for Help
Call 911 (or the local emergency number if you are outside Canada). Give the dispatcher:
- A clear location. Use the nearest cross street, highway exit marker, mile marker, or a distinctive landmark. "On Highway 1, about two kilometres north of the Exit 14 overpass" is far more useful than "somewhere on the highway."
- The number of vehicles involved and whether any are on fire or leaking fuel.
- The number of people injured and a brief description of injuries — for example, "one rider is down and not moving, one person is walking but bleeding from the arm."
- Any hazards for responders — fuel spills, live wires, animals loose on the road.
If your phone has no signal, send someone to the nearest house or intersection to call. Do not leave a badly injured person alone if no one else is available to go.
Step 4: Provide Aid Within Your Training
Give help only at the level you are trained to give. First aid courses are valuable for every rider — consider taking one before you need it.
- Control serious bleeding with direct pressure using a clean cloth if you have one.
- Keep the injured person's airway clear without moving their head or neck.
- Do not give food or water to an injured person.
- Do not move them unless there is immediate danger.
- Stay with them until emergency responders arrive.
Step 5: Gather Information
Once the scene is safe and help is on the way, gather information that will be needed later.
- Witness names and contact information. Witnesses leave quickly. Get names and phone numbers while they are still at the scene.
- Driver and vehicle information from anyone involved: name, licence number, plate number, and insurance details.
- Photos of the scene. Take pictures of vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, and any skid marks before anything is moved.
- Your own notes about what happened, written as soon as possible while your memory is fresh.
Step 6: Reporting Requirements
Learn to Ride Smart sets out three legal duties that apply if you are involved in a crash or if another road user crashes because of something you did:
- Remain at the scene.
- Give all reasonable assistance — call emergency services if you can and if it is necessary.
- Exchange information with the other driver, anyone injured, and anyone whose property was damaged. You must provide:
- your name and address
- the name and address of the registered owner of the motorcycle
- the licence plate number
- your insurance information.
You must also give that information to police or to a witness if they ask for it.
ICBC's additional recommendations:
- Move the vehicles off the road if it is safe to do so.
- Avoid discussing who is at fault. Statements at the scene are unreliable and unhelpful.
- Write down the names and addresses of all witnesses, and exchange driver's licence numbers with any other riders or drivers involved.
- Draw a sketch or take photos, noting the time, location, and weather.
- Notify your insurance company right away. Call police to the scene if anyone is injured, if a driver appears impaired, or if a driver leaves without exchanging information.
One more rule, for the crashes you merely ride past: do not obstruct traffic by slowing more than necessary at a crash scene. Stay focused on your own riding so you do not cause the second crash.
Scene-Response Checklist
Use this checklist in order. If you are the rider involved, your own safety comes before everything else.
flowchart TD
S1["1. Secure the scene<br/>Move out of traffic,<br/>turn on hazards,<br/>watch for fire/fuel"] --> S2["2. Check for injuries<br/>Do NOT move the injured<br/>unless in immediate danger"] --> S3["3. Call 911<br/>Give clear location,<br/>number injured, hazards"] --> S4["4. Provide aid<br/>within your training<br/>Control bleeding,<br/>keep airway clear,<br/>keep them warm"] --> S5["5. Gather info<br/>Witness contacts,<br/>driver details,<br/>photos of scene"] --> S6["6. Report<br/>Police if injured,<br/>notify ICBC,<br/>file a written report if required"]
Key Takeaways
- Move yourself out of traffic first. A secondary collision is the deadliest hazard at any scene.
- Do not move the injured unless they face immediate danger. Movement can worsen spinal injuries.
- Call 911 and give a clear location. Vague locations delay help.
- Give aid only within your training. Take a first aid course before you need one.
- Collect witness information early. Witnesses leave before police arrive.
You arrive at a crash where a rider is lying on the road and conscious but not moving. There is no fire and no oncoming traffic in the lane. What should you do?
You call 911 to report a motorcycle crash on a rural highway. Which piece of information is most useful to the dispatcher first?