Do you love cycling? If you do, it’s essential to observe all the road rules to ensure safe cycling. But, what if you get hit perhaps by a moving car or truck? What should you do at this point? According to NHTSA, the number of cyclist accidents has continued to rise over the years.
Usually, when bicycles get into accidents with vehicles, it may get too scary for the bicyclist. If you are riding the bike, you must remain alert and be able to take quick actions after the crash. This is in case you’re not badly off after the accident.
Keep in mind that whatever you do immediately after the accident could influence the outcome. Your immediate actions will significantly impact how much you might recover for your injuries and damages.
If the person(s) responsible for the accident refuses to compensate for your injuries or damages, things can get tougher for them. The court can consider a lawsuit where they get subjected to your claims.
So, here’s what you should do if you get hit in a bicycle accident.
1. Seek Counsel from an Experienced Bicycle and Car Accident Lawyer
Many bicycle accidents that have to do with motor vehicles usually involve complex legal concerns. That’s why it helps to consult an expert lawyer for bicycle accidents. The attorney who understands and has dealt with bicycle accident cases.
If you are in California, the Car accident lawyers in Costa Mesa advise that you should find an attorney who fights tirelessly to implement the justice you deserve. The accident attorney should ensure you’re compensated right to get you back moving.
Remember that; insurance companies can do everything possible to deny your claim. But, the best accident law firm will fight on your behalf to get you what you deserve.
In short, the bicycle accident lawyer will:
- Provide you with appropriate advice on how to proceed
- Represent you in the lawsuit
- Talk and negotiate with the insurance company involved
That’s why you shouldn’t communicate with the insurance company before consulting the attorney. Anything you say to the insurer could work against you later. Note that the attorney can help resolve issues with the insurance company and avoid legal pitfalls.
2. Wait for the Police at the Accident Scene
When you get hit while cycling, waiting for the police to visit the accident scene is essential. The officer will come and document the police report. They do this even if you might think that you’re not injured.
Remember that sometimes, you might not realize the injury until some hours after the accident. In other cases, you could assume minor injuries, which later develop into serious problems.
So, if you’re tempted to leave the accident scene, you may never identify the driver’s fault. Together with the motorist involved in the accident, you are legally obliged to remain at the accident scene. This is the only way to avoid tracking down the motorist later, to cover for any injuries or damages.
Tips: Never try to negotiate with the driver. Many drivers may apologize and admit their fault. But, when followed up, they may later deny their case of negligence. Some might even refuse to acknowledge that they were at the accident scene.
So, you’d rather wait for the police to come so they can file everything in their report. Besides, you might be more advantaged waiting for the officer. Usually, the police might ticket the driver, which may help you settle the case with the insurers.
3. Give Your Version of the Story for Documentation in the Accident Report
Be careful to ensure that the police get your side of the story. Usually, the officer might write a report from the motorist’s statement and fail to talk to the cyclist.
So, you must ensure you do all you can to let the police document your side of the story. This will ensure no bias in the report. Remember to report all your injuries, despite how minor they may appear. The seemingly minor injuries might later turn out more serious.
If the police refuse to document your statement, you can later amend the report. This may include several trips to the police station, but it’s essential. Ensure you write all the facts you can recall about the incident to make your work easier.
The things you need to write down include:
- What happened
- How the accident happened
- Where it occurred
- When it occurred
- The road situation (traffic and weather conditions).
Tips: If you can, get the automobile driver’s name, phone number, address, and license number. Besides, try to get all the accident witnesses’ names and contact details. Sometimes, the police report may not include all the necessary information. And, if you get injured to the extent that you can’t get this info yourself, ask anyone nearby to do it for you.
4. Ask for the Driver’s Insurance Details
Taking the driver’s insurance details is essential. It is likely to cover for the accident’s damages. But, never try communicating with the insurance company before consulting your injury lawyer for bicyclists.
Any information you give to the insurance company could work against you later. This is why people record such calls. Sometimes, a letter from a bicycle accident law firm to the insurance company will resolve the case for the total amount you should get. And this is done without further issues.
In fact, most accident injury cases get done without proceeding to trial. But, if it goes forward with litigation, you must ensure that your case is dealt with appropriately. Make sure a sloppy statement to the insurance company doesn’t prevent you from getting all you deserve.
5. Preserve Every Evidence
Please do not remove your bike and any other damaged property from the exact accident scene. Also, do not clean up the area. Please wait for the police to arrive and document everything as it is.
You must avoid fixing anything. Once you arrive home, don’t wash your clothing, especially if it has blood stains. Don’t send your bicycle, helmet, or other gear to anyone apart from your attorney. Ensure you keep photos of the damaged equipment, as they offer the best evidence.
6. Go for an Immediate Medical Checkup
Seeking immediate medical attention for any minor or major injuries is crucial. It will help you get into the recovery path and restore your health faster to resume your normal activities.
Failure to get a medical evaluation and treatment immediately after the accident could escalate the injury and lengthen the healing time. If you’re badly injured, ensure you find the right medical provider. It should be a facility with experience in treating accident injuries.
Besides, seeking medical attention will offer proof that you were injured. Thus, your medical records will give official documentation of the extent of your injuries. You need to know the reasons why you should seek immediate medical care after an accident.
With this, remember to also take some photos of your injuries immediately after the accident. It helps to journal the physical symptoms you could be experiencing. This is important, just in case the symptoms develop into something more serious.
Key Takeaways
We must accept that cyclists are vulnerable road users, hence prone to road accidents. But, you can always arm yourself with the correct details concerning what you should do in case of an accident.
Remember to seek the advice of a bicycle accident lawyer before taking any action. Wait for the police to document the incident. Besides, don’t forget to give your story version, and ensure you preserve every piece of evidence.
Also, make sure you ask for the driver’s insurance information. Most importantly, seek immediate medical help, whether you sustained minor or major injuries. Your well-being matters the most!
