What Evidence Is Crucial in High-Speed Motorcycle Accident Cases?

High-speed motorcycle accidents are among the most catastrophic collisions on the road. When a crash occurs at 60, 70, or even 100 mph, the resulting injuries are often life-altering—or fatal. In the aftermath, victims and their families are left searching for answers, justice, and the financial resources to rebuild their lives.

But to secure compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death claim, you need more than sympathy—you need evidence. Solid, well-documented evidence can make or break a motorcycle accident case, especially when high speeds are involved and liability is contested.

In this article, we break down the most crucial types of evidence in high-speed motorcycle crashes, and how they can help prove fault, calculate damages, and strengthen your legal case.

1. Police Reports

After any serious motorcycle crash, the responding law enforcement agency will complete an official police report. This document often includes:

• The date, time, and location of the crash
• Road and weather conditions
• Diagrams of vehicle positions
• Statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses
• Preliminary findings on who may be at fault

While not always admissible in court, a police report is a critical starting point. Insurance companies often use it during their initial assessments, and your attorney can use it to identify early leads for deeper investigation.

2. Witness Statements

Eyewitnesses are especially valuable in high-speed motorcycle accidents. These may include:

• Other drivers or passengers
• Pedestrians
• Nearby business employees
• First responders

Witnesses can help answer important questions like:

• Who was speeding?
• Who had the right of way?
• Did either party run a red light?
• Was one driver weaving between lanes?

Because memories fade quickly and contact information can be lost, statements should be gathered as soon as possible. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will often re-interview witnesses to clarify or expand on what they told police.

3. Video Footage

Thanks to security cameras, smartphones, and even dashcams, many accidents are now caught on video. For high-speed crashes, footage can be game-changing.

Types of useful video evidence include:

• Traffic light cameras
• Gas station or business surveillance
• Dashcam footage from involved or nearby vehicles
• Cell phone recordings from bystanders

Video can help confirm:

• Speed and impact severity
• The sequence of events
• Driver behavior before the crash (e.g., swerving, aggressive driving)

If your accident happened near a business, your attorney may act fast to preserve footage before it gets overwritten.

4. Motorcycle and Vehicle Damage

The condition of the motorcycle and other vehicles involved provides key insights into:

• Speed at the time of impact
• Force and direction of the crash
• Potential product defects (e.g., brake failure, tire blowout)

Photos and post-accident inspections by collision reconstruction experts can help recreate the crash scenario, demonstrating how and why the accident happened. In high-speed crashes, the motorcycle may be unrecognizable, but debris patterns and impact points still hold valuable data.

5. Skid Marks, Debris, and Scene Evidence

The accident scene tells a story—if it’s documented correctly. That’s why it’s crucial to photograph or document:

• Skid marks (or lack thereof)
• Vehicle resting positions
• Road signs, traffic lights, or signals
• Debris trails
• Gouge marks in pavement or roadside barriers

This kind of physical evidence is typically collected by law enforcement, but a private investigator or accident reconstructionist can also revisit the scene to collect more detailed findings—especially in complex or disputed cases.

6. Medical Records and Expert Testimony

High-speed motorcycle crashes almost always involve serious injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Multiple fractures
• Internal bleeding
• Road rash or burn injuries

Documenting the full extent of these injuries is essential not just for proving the impact of the accident, but also for calculating fair compensation.

Medical records should include:

• Emergency treatment details
• Surgeries performed
• Recovery progress
• Long-term prognosis
• Permanent disabilities or impairments

Your lawyer may also bring in medical experts to testify about the severity of your injuries and how they affect your ability to work or live independently.

7. Black Box Data (Event Data Recorders)

Many modern vehicles are equipped with event data recorders (EDRs)—commonly referred to as “black boxes.” These devices record data in the seconds before and after a crash, such as:

• Speed
• Braking patterns
• Steering input
• Acceleration or deceleration

While motorcycles don’t typically contain EDRs, the other vehicles involved in the accident might, especially newer models. Accessing this data often requires legal action (like a subpoena), but it can provide hard proof of dangerous or reckless driving.

8. Cell Phone Records

Distracted driving is a common factor in motorcycle accidents. In high-speed crashes, even a moment of inattention—checking a text, answering a call—can lead to disaster.

If distraction is suspected, your attorney may request the other driver’s cell phone records to see:

• Whether they were using their phone at the time of the crash
• Call logs and app usage
• GPS tracking data

This information can support a negligence claim, particularly if the driver violated Washington’s distracted driving laws.

9. Expert Accident Reconstruction

When liability is unclear—or when both parties suffered major injuries—accident reconstructionists are often called in. These experts use all the available evidence (scene photos, vehicle damage, black box data, witness accounts) to create a clear picture of what happened and why.

Their reports or testimony can be pivotal during negotiations or trial, especially in high-stakes cases involving serious injury or wrongful death.

Building a Strong Case After a High-Speed Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve been injured—or lost a loved one—in a high-speed motorcycle accident, don’t wait to begin collecting evidence. Crucial details can be lost in the days and weeks following a crash.

At Abeyta Nelson Injury Law, we’ve been fighting for injured riders in Washington for over 40 years. Our legal team knows what evidence matters most and how to build the strongest case possible to secure full and fair compensation.

Call us today at 509-575-1588 for a free consultation. We’re here to protect your rights, your recovery, and your future.