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The Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
Bicycle Accident
No matter how freeing it feels to be on two wheels, out on the open road, the reality is that every time you climb onto a bicycle and cycle anywhere near traffic, you’re taking a big risk. Yes, cycling is a perfectly safe activity, but it’s up to you, as the cyclist to take bicycle safety into your own hands.
Even if cyclists have right of way, it’s not always guaranteed that a motorist knows or understands the rules of the road and the rights of cyclists. The odds are always against you due to the number of motorists versus cyclists on the road. That’s why it’s up to you to always cycle defensively in order to avoid an unwanted bicycle accident.
It’s also important to know what to do if a bike crash ever takes place. Here are the crucial steps to take…
1. Don’t Leave the Scene
It’s not always easy, especially when you’re hurt, but if you have the capacity, make sure to stay at the scene and wait for the police to arrive. Even more importantly, don’t leave the scene if you think you’re uninjured.
Either way, it’s crucial that you give your side of the story to the police so that you have an accurate police report of the events that transpired. Make sure that the motorist remains at the scene with you, if possible. Even if they hit and run, it’s important that you file a police report at the scene, while the events are still fresh in your memory.
2. Avoid Negotiating with the Motorist
No matter how apologetic a motorist is, it’s important that you avoid negotiating with them about how to settle the outcome of the accident. You might think you’re fine and uninjured, but complications could crop up at a later stage, such as a concussion or internal bleeding/bruising.
You might be unaware of the full extent of the damage done to your bicycle, which you can claim for — but only if you avoid unnecessary negotiations. Bear in mind that the driver might enter into a negotiation based on the fact that they feel bad at the time. However, they might change their mind and deny details of the accident at a later stage.
Instead, just wait for the police to arrive after your bike accident and offer your side of the story as best as you can remember.
3. Always Collect Motorist and Witness Information
Avoiding a negotiation with the motorist doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take the time to collect their information while you’re both still at the scene. It’s this information that makes all the difference when putting together a personal injury case — go to Usaccidentlawyer.com for more on that.
Essential information includes their full name, contact number, home address, driver’s license number, license plate, insurance policy number, and insurance contact information. Also, don’t forget to get the make and color of the car.
If you’re lucky enough to have any witnesses that come forward to offer help and wait with you until an ambulance or police arrive, make sure to get their information, too. Their witness testimony can make a huge difference in the outcome of a personal injury case.
4. Document as Much as You Can
A couple of days after the accident your mind will not be as clear or sharp regarding the exact details of what occurred. That’s why it’s so imperative that you document as much as you can at the scene.
A good way to do this is to snap photos on your mobile phone of the surrounding area and the accident scene. Take photos of the motorist’s vehicle, your bicycle, helmet, clothing, and any obvious injuries.
Make a note of the weather conditions on the day, as well as the time of day, and local road conditions. If you have injuries that crop up a few hours or days later, make sure to take photos and document their development.
5. Ensure the Police Get Your Version of Events
Most of the time, the authorities tend to concern themselves more with collecting the motorist’s side of the story, rather than a cyclist’s. It’s therefore up to you to make sure the police get your version of events.
Make a point of giving your statement to the police, if you’re capable. If not, ask a witness to do so on your behalf, or make sure to contact the police at a later stage to file your report. Again, this is why it’s so important to document everything at the scene so you can give an accurate account to the police.
6. Keep Evidence in Good Condition
There are a plethora of things that could count as evidence in a bicycle accident. But some of the most important are pieces of evidence that point to the extent of your injuries or damage to property.
This means you should preserve evidence in its original condition after the accident. If you have bloody, torn clothes as evidence, don’t wash them or throw them away. Put them in a sealable bag as evidence. Keep your helmet in its scratched, dented condition. Don’t clean or repair your bike — use it to vouch for the extent of the accident.
7. Don’t Negotiate With Insurance Companies
Finally, the last thing you want to do is enter into a negotiation with the motorist’s insurance company. They will call you and try to offer you a settlement of some kind. But most of the time, this settlement is nowhere near what you could receive if you filed a personal injury case for accurate compensation.
To add to this, they might call you before you’ve even had a chance to reach out to a lawyer and compile all the information you need to support a claim. If they call you, politely decline the offer and let them know your bicycle accident lawyer will be in touch!
Badly Injured in a Bicycle Accident?
If you’re the victim of a bicycle accident and suffered injuries, whether it’s just a few scrapes and bruises, or something more traumatic like a fractured skull, you have the right to legal compensation.
To learn more about why you should hire a personal injury attorney to help you claim the compensation you deserve, explore the rest of this site for all the legal information you need. We offer articles on how to find the best attorney for your case, and much more.
Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].
