We understand how frightening a motorcycle accident can be. One moment you’re riding through Southwest Michigan—maybe cruising along the lakeshore or heading home on I-94—and the next moment, everything changes in an instant. Whether you’re the rider or a loved one trying to help, the first question after ensuring everyone’s safety is often: “What happens to the motorcycle?”
Yes, we can absolutely pick up your motorcycle from an accident scene. At Zielke Towing & Tire, we’ve responded to countless accident calls throughout Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Coloma, Watervliet, South Haven, and all surrounding communities. We’re available 24/7 specifically because accidents don’t wait for convenient times, and we know you need someone you can trust during what’s probably one of the most stressful moments you’ll ever face on two wheels.
Let’s walk through exactly what happens when you call us after an accident, what you should do while you’re waiting, and how we’ll make sure your bike gets the care it needs even when it’s damaged.
Understanding the Reality of Motorcycle Accidents
The Numbers Tell a Serious Story
Motorcyclists face an increased risk of severe injury and death when crashes occur, with Massachusetts seeing 71 motorcycle operator fatalities in 2024—a 22% increase from 58 fatalities in 2023. These aren’t just statistics to us—they’re reminders of why we take every accident call so seriously.
After a crash occurs, there is typically a gap of 5-30 minutes before an ambulance arrives. During those critical minutes, you’re dealing with shock, potential injuries, and the overwhelming stress of the situation. Understanding what to expect from emergency services—including towing—can help you feel more in control during an incredibly difficult moment.
Why Professional Motorcycle Recovery Matters
Recovery towing is a specialized roadside service that rescues broken-down vehicles in situations that require more than a simple tow, including vehicles stuck off-road, in accidents, or incapacitated in ways that standard towing methods aren’t sufficient. Your motorcycle after an accident isn’t the same as a bike that simply won’t start. It might be on its side, leaking fluids, have damaged components that make it unstable, or be in a position that requires careful extraction.
This is exactly why we’ve invested in specialized motorcycle recovery services and training. We’re not going to show up and try to figure it out on the spot—we know what we’re doing because we’ve done it hundreds of times before.
What to Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident
Your Safety Comes First—Always
Your immediate safety and the safety of others should be your top priority following any motorcycle accident, with quick action to secure the scene preventing additional injuries and creating a safer environment for everyone involved. Before you even think about your motorcycle, make sure you’re out of immediate danger.
If you’re able to move and aren’t seriously injured, get yourself away from active traffic lanes. If you’re able to move and your motorcycle is operational, carefully relocate to the shoulder or side of the road away from active traffic lanes, turning on hazard lights and setting up flares or reflective triangles behind the accident scene to alert approaching drivers.
Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
Immediately assess your physical condition and that of any passengers or other parties involved, looking for obvious signs of trauma, bleeding, or difficulty moving, keeping in mind that adrenaline can mask injuries. If anyone is seriously hurt, don’t move them unless they’re in immediate danger. Call 911 immediately. Medical care always takes priority.
Call the Police and Document the Scene
Report the accident by calling the police to document the scene and create an official report, gather evidence by taking photos of vehicles, the accident scene, and your injuries, and collect contact information from witnesses. While waiting, document everything—your motorcycle’s position, damage, skid marks, debris, and road conditions. These photos can be invaluable when dealing with insurance.
What We Do When We Arrive at Your Accident Scene
Our 24/7 Emergency Response
The moment you call Zielke Towing & Tire—day or night—we act quickly. You’re stressed, dealing with police, other drivers, and a damaged motorcycle. We respond as fast as possible with certified motorcycle towing specialists. Our average response time is 30–45 minutes depending on location.
Assessing the Situation with Care
When we arrive, we speak with you or law enforcement, survey the scene, check for fluid leaks, assess your motorcycle’s position, and determine the safest approach for recovery. Every accident is different, so we adapt our techniques to your situation.
Specialized Equipment for Accident Recovery
We bring accident-specific equipment, including:
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Soft straps and protective padding
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Heavy-duty wheel chocks
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Winch systems for extracting crashed bikes
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Fluid containment kits
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High-visibility safety lighting
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A custom motorcycle-ready flatbed towing system
Even if your bike is heavily damaged, we secure it carefully to prevent further harm.
Loading Your Damaged Motorcycle Safely
Damaged bikes may have bent handlebars, broken wheels, twisted frames, or hanging bodywork. We secure loose parts, use winches if the bike can’t roll, and load it gently to avoid further structural damage. We treat your wrecked bike with the same respect as an undamaged one.
Coordinating with Emergency Services
We often work alongside police. Sometimes they need to complete an investigation before we can move the motorcycle. We wait patiently and follow instructions to ensure everything is done properly.
Common Questions Riders Ask After Accidents
Can a Damaged Bike Be Safely Loaded?
Absolutely. We’ve loaded motorcycles with extensive damage—bent frames, missing wheels, shattered bodywork, you name it. The key is having the right equipment and knowing what we’re doing. Even if your bike looks totaled, we can get it safely onto our motorcycle-ready flatbed and transport it without causing additional damage.
The most severely damaged bikes sometimes require creative securing methods. Maybe traditional tie-down points are destroyed or inaccessible. We’ll find alternative attachment points, use additional straps for stability, and make sure nothing shifts during transport.
What If the Motorcycle Is Leaking Fluids?
Damaged motorcycles frequently leak oil, coolant, or gasoline. This is actually something we expect and prepare for. We carry absorbent materials to contain and clean up fluid spills, preventing slippery hazards on the roadway and environmental contamination.
Before loading your bike, we’ll assess what’s leaking and where it’s coming from. Sometimes we can temporarily plug or contain leaks. Other times, we simply position absorbent pads under the leak points during transport to catch dripping fluids. Our flatbed trucks are designed to handle this—fluid leaks during transport won’t damage our equipment or create hazards.
Will Towing Increase the Damage?
This is a completely understandable concern, and the honest answer is: not when it’s done correctly. That’s the entire reason professional motorcycle towing services exist. We know how to secure damaged bikes in ways that prevent movement, shifting, or additional stress on compromised components.
Your motorcycle is already damaged from the accident. Our job is to transport it in that current condition—not make things worse. We’re not going to compress already damaged suspension, we’re not going to put pressure on bent or broken frame components, and we’re not going to let loose parts drag or fall off during transport.
Do I Need to Stay at the Scene?
This depends on several factors, and honestly, if you’re injured, you shouldn’t stay. Your health is more important than watching us load your motorcycle. If paramedics want to transport you to the hospital, go. We’ll take care of your bike.
If you’re not injured and police don’t need you to remain at the scene, you’re welcome to stay and watch us work if that gives you peace of mind. Many riders prefer to see how we handle their motorcycles, especially if they’re concerned about damage or if it’s a particularly valuable or sentimental bike.
However, if you need to leave with police, family members, or emergency services, that’s completely fine. Just let us know where you want your motorcycle delivered, give us your contact information, and we’ll take it from there. We’ll call you when we’ve completed the transport to confirm your bike arrived safely at its destination.
Can You Tow Custom or Expensive Motorcycles?
Yes, and we understand why you’re asking. If you’ve invested tens of thousands of dollars in a custom build, a vintage classic, or a high-end touring bike, the thought of handing it over to a towing company after it’s already been in an accident is nerve-wracking.
We’ve handled custom choppers, restored vintage bikes, and expensive touring machines worth more than many cars. We treat every motorcycle with care, but we’re especially attentive with bikes that represent significant investments or have special significance to their owners.
If you have a particularly valuable motorcycle, let us know when you call. We can discuss any special handling concerns you have and make sure we’re using the most protective methods possible for your specific situation.
Where We Can Take Your Motorcycle
To a Repair Shop of Your Choice
If you have a preferred motorcycle repair shop or dealership in Southwest Michigan—maybe you always take your bike to a specific mechanic in St. Joseph, or you want it delivered to a Harley-Davidson dealer in the area—we’ll take it there. Just give us the address and we’ll handle the delivery.
If the shop isn’t open when we recover your bike, we can secure it until they open. Many repair facilities let us drop off in gated areas after hours.
To Your Home
Some riders prefer having damaged motorcycles delivered to their homes. We can absolutely bring your bike to your residence in Benton Harbor, Coloma, Watervliet, South Haven, or anywhere else in our service area.
If you live in an apartment or limited-parking location, just tell us—we’ll discuss the best place for safe unloading.
To a Storage Facility
Sometimes riders need time before deciding next steps. We can deliver your motorcycle to a storage facility until you’re ready to proceed with repairs, replacement, or insurance inspections. If your insurance company has a preferred storage yard, we’ll coordinate directly with them.
Michigan-Specific Challenges We Navigate
Weather Conditions and Accident Recovery
Southwest Michigan weather adds complexity to accident recovery—lake-effect snow, freezing rain, fog, and storms. We respond in all conditions with fully equipped flatbeds and trained operators.
Rural Roads and Tourist Areas
Narrow rural roads, scenic byways, and busy lakefront tourist routes can make accident recovery challenging. We work efficiently to clear your motorcycle safely even in tight or heavily trafficked areas.
Coordinating with Local Emergency Services
We’ve built strong relationships with police, fire, and EMS throughout Southwest Michigan, which allows smoother cooperation at accident scenes.
What Happens After We Transport Your Motorcycle
Documentation and Communication
Once we deliver your motorcycle, we contact you immediately and can provide all necessary documentation—including photos taken before loading—to assist with your insurance claim.
Insurance Coordination
Many policies include towing or roadside coverage. We frequently work with insurance companies and can bill them directly when possible.
Follow-Up Support
Need your bike moved again later? Want help communicating with insurance adjusters? Have questions about next steps? We’re here for you even after the tow is complete.
Why Experience and Training Matter in Accident Recovery
Not All Towing Companies Can Handle Motorcycles
Some companies only tow functional motorcycles—not damaged ones. We regularly recover accident-damaged bikes using specialized motorcycle towing services, not generic auto equipment.
Safety Training and Professional Standards
Our team receives ongoing training in motorcycle handling, accident-scene safety, winch operations, and hazardous fluid management.
The Human Side of Accident Recovery
We Know This Is More Than Just a Tow
We understand the emotional stress riders experience after an accident. We respond with empathy, patience, and respect.
You’re Not Alone in This
Seeing your motorcycle safely loaded onto our flatbed provides reassurance during a traumatic moment. We’re part of the same riding community—and we treat you like it.
You Can Count on Us When It Matters Most
Motorcycle accidents are overwhelming—but when you call Zielke Towing & Tire, you get a team that responds fast, treats you with care, and uses specialized equipment to protect your motorcycle.
Whether your accident happens in St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, South Haven, or anywhere in Southwest Michigan, our 24/7 motorcycle accident recovery service is always ready to help.
