Stay Calm and Assess
Accidents happen even to careful riders. Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath protects your health, your rights, and your ability to seek compensation if needed.
Immediate Steps
Check yourself for injuries. Adrenaline can mask pain. Wiggle fingers and toes, check for bleeding, and assess whether you can stand safely. Do not move if you suspect a spinal injury.
Move out of traffic if you can do so safely. Get yourself and your scooter to the sidewalk or shoulder.
Call emergency services if anyone is injured, including yourself. Even seemingly minor injuries like a sore wrist or headache warrant medical attention since concussions and fractures are not always obvious immediately.
Document Everything
Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, damage to your scooter, and any vehicles involved. Photograph road conditions, traffic signals, and any debris that contributed to the accident.
Get contact information from any other parties involved and any witnesses. Record names, phone numbers, licence plate numbers, and insurance details.
File a police report. Even for minor incidents, an official report creates documentation that may be essential later for insurance claims or legal proceedings.
Medical Follow-Up
Visit a doctor within 24 hours even if you feel fine. Some injuries like internal bleeding, concussions, and soft tissue damage present symptoms hours or days later. Keep all medical records and receipts.
Insurance and Legal Matters
Check whether your health insurance covers scooter accidents. Some policies have exclusions for motorised vehicle incidents. If a driver was at fault, their auto insurance may cover your injuries and property damage.
Consider consulting a personal injury attorney for serious accidents, especially those involving vehicles. Many offer free initial consultations and work on contingency.
Protect Your Rights
Do not admit fault at the scene. Do not sign anything from an insurance company without understanding it fully. Keep a detailed journal of your recovery including pain levels and missed work.