What to do if you are involved in a traffic accident on a rented motorbike in Phuket

Getting into an accident in another country is stressful even for experienced travellers. In Phuket, where motorbikes are rented everywhere, such cases are not uncommon. The main thing is to stay calm, act consistently and remember: a lot depends on whether you have a licence, insurance and where you rented the vehicle. Let’s take a step-by-step look at what to do in different situations.

💡 Tip: if you are not a confident scooter driver, are unsure about the road conditions, or are travelling with your family, it is better to travel by car. It is safer, more comfortable, and does not require a category A licence. You can rent a reliable car through HolyCowPhuket.com.

Stay calm and assess the situation

The first rule is not to panic. Make sure that you and your passenger have not suffered any serious injuries. If someone is injured:

• call an ambulance immediately on 1669;
• if necessary, ask passers-by for help — Thai people are usually willing to help;
• do not leave the scene of the accident — this is against the law.

If no one is injured, pull over to the side of the road so as not to obstruct traffic and assess the damage: are there other people involved, how badly is the bike damaged?

If you fell alone, without other participants

If you missed a turn or fell on your own, stay calm:

• Check if the bike is running. If so, carefully ride to the nearest service station (signs saying ‘Service’, “Honda” and ‘Yamaha’ are visible everywhere).
• If the bike won’t start, don’t try to pull it yourself. Ask the locals to recommend the nearest mechanic, who will come to the scene for a small fee.
• Repairs in Thailand are inexpensive: replacing plastic parts, headlights or mirrors is a minor expense.

After repairs, you can return the bike to the rental company in good working order. If the damage is minor, the owner will often accept the vehicle without question. But if the vehicle is seriously damaged, be prepared to pay the full cost.

Important: do not try to hide or abandon the bike — your passport and rental agreement will still show who rented the vehicle. It is better to come to an amicable agreement.

Accidents involving other vehicles

If you collide with a car or another motorbike, it all depends on the circumstances.

If you are at fault

In Thailand, there is an unspoken rule: the smaller party is at fault. Motorcyclists are almost always found to be at fault, especially if they are foreigners.

Therefore:

• Assess the damage: scratches, dents, broken parts.
• If the damage is minor, try to negotiate on the spot. Thais often accept money without involving the police.
• The amount can be discussed: bargain to avoid excessive demands.

Example: the driver demanded 20,000 baht for a scratch, but after discussion and assessment at the service centre, they agreed on 12,000 baht.

If people are injured, call an ambulance and help the victim. Do not leave, even if the fault is disputed. In case of serious injuries, you will still have to call the police — but try to settle the matter peacefully.

If the other driver is at fault

If you were hit by another driver and the person at fault is Thai, they will most likely call the police themselves. Unfortunately, experience shows that in a dispute between a Thai and a foreigner, the police are more likely to side with the local.

If the damage is minor, it is sometimes easier to leave than to spend hours on proceedings. If the person at fault is another tourist, demand compensation on the spot. Many agree to pay to avoid official proceedings.

If you still need the police, call 191 or the tourist police on 1155 — they speak English. Take photos, get the contact details of witnesses and document the damage to your vehicle.

Contacting the rental company and insurance

Once you have made sure that everything is under control, contact the rental company. Tell them what happened. If you rented the bike from HolyCowPhuket.ru, they will help you with advice, translation and guidance on what to do next.

Important to know:

• Most bikes have limited or no insurance. Sometimes partial damage coverage is included for an additional fee, but this is rare.
• If you have insurance, find out what steps to take: whether you need to report the accident to the police, where to take the bike.
• If you don’t have insurance, be prepared to pay for the repairs yourself.

Medical insurance

If you or your passenger are injured:

• call your insurance company immediately (the number is on your policy);
• follow their instructions: they will direct you to the nearest clinic or hospital;
• keep all receipts and certificates — you will need them for reimbursement.

⚠️ Remember: insurance is only valid if you had a category A licence and were not intoxicated. Otherwise, your claim may be rejected.

If you do not have insurance, go to a state hospital or small private clinic — prices there are significantly lower.

Discussing the situation with the bike owner

When everything has been sorted out and you are ready to return the bike, discuss the situation with the owner. If the repairs have already been made, simply show that the bike is in good working order. If not, be prepared to compensate for the damage.

• Do not agree to the first amount quoted — rental companies often quote inflated figures.
• Suggest going to a service centre to get a real repair bill.
• When you show your willingness to act honestly, owners become more accommodating.

The main thing is not to involve the police. In most cases, everything is resolved peacefully, especially if you have been polite and have not argued.

If the owner is aggressive and a crowd is gathering around, call the Tourist Police (1155). These services are specifically designed to help foreigners and often resolve conflicts.

How to avoid such situations

1. Do not exceed the speed limit. Roads in Phuket are often wet and have sharp turns.
2. Do not drive while intoxicated. The police impose severe fines, and accidents in such cases are almost always serious.
3. Wear a helmet and clothing that covers your body. This is basic protection.
4. Check your bike before riding. Inspect the brakes, lights and mirrors.
5. Only rent from reputable companies, such as com — their vehicles are well maintained and their terms and conditions are transparent.

Conclusion

A motorcycle accident in Thailand is an unpleasant but solvable situation. The main thing is to stay calm, help the victims, contact the rental company and come to an amicable agreement. Do not run away from responsibility — it will catch up with you anyway.

If only you and the bike were injured, repair it and return it to the owner. If there are other participants, try to negotiate on the spot. And to avoid such problems altogether, choose a car for getting around the island: it is more comfortable, safer and has no restrictions on driving licences.

FAQ

• What should you do first after a motorcycle accident?
  Assess the condition of the people involved, call an ambulance (1669) if necessary, remove the motorcycle from the road and take photos of the accident site.
• Should you call the police?
  If only you and the bike were injured, you don’t need to call them. If other people were involved or there was serious damage, call 191 or 1155.
• Who pays for bike repairs?
  If you don’t have insurance, the renter pays for repairs. If the bike is insured, follow the rental company’s instructions.
• What should you do if another driver is responsible for the accident?
  Try to reach an agreement on the spot. If the person responsible is a foreigner, demand compensation immediately. If they refuse, call the police.
• Where is it safe to rent a bike or car in Phuket?
  On the HolyCowPhuket.com platform. Here you will find verified options for transport and accommodation rentals, fair terms and conditions, and support in Russian.