(Newswire.net — May 1, 2022) — Suffering an injury while you’ve been riding a bicycle can lead to serious physical, emotional, and financial damage. But it’s also a confusing matter to navigate after the incident, especially when another vehicle was involved.
In 2020, about 675 deaths occurred in the United States involving bicycle accidents that included a motor vehicle, and this number appeared to increase following the advent of the pandemic.
If you’ve been injured while riding your bike and another vehicle was involved, here are the particulars you ought to know.
1. Check For Injuries
First, make sure to check yourself for any apparent injuries before you try to stand. If you’re able to move, get up slowly. Any fast movements might lead to further internal damage if you’ve possibly sustained a concussion or broken bone.
2. Get to a Safe Location
Perhaps your accident occurred on a busy street. If that’s the case, make sure that you and the other party or parties move to a safe location that’s safely away from any oncoming traffic. You’d be wise to place your bike off the road and safely to the side in order to avoid further people getting injured after the initial incident.
3. Contact 911
Just as you would if you had been in a collision while operating a motor vehicle, you should contact the local authorities. Call 911 as soon as you’re in a safe location. Insurance companies and personal injury lawyers will request a copy of a police report as essential evidence for assessing compensation.
4. Get Information From the Driver
You should also obtain all the driver’s essential information, including:
- Full name
- Phone number and email address
- Insurance name, phone number, and policy number
- License plate number
- Make and model of the vehicle
In the heat of a crisis after falling off a bike, you might well be tempted to try and point a finger at whomever you believe is at fault in this situation. Perhaps the other driver might seek to negotiate compensation without contacting any insurance company.
You’d be strongly advised not to negotiate. There may be further aspects of the incident for which that person might have to be held responsible.
If you settle the matter without going through the proper authorities and channels, you might well end up in a worse financial or medical situation than you initially expected. Worse, you would lack any recourse to seek legal redress later.
5. Document the Scene
This is the facet of the aftermath in which you ought to take photos and video, if possible, of the accident site and the results. Include both your bicycle and the other driver’s vehicle, as well as any other property damage that may have occurred.
You may also document the incident by writing down witness statements from anyone willing to provide testimony. Make sure to obtain the person’s full name and contact details.
The more documentation and evidence you gather, the better your lawyer will be to help you secure the compensation you deserve. Don’t forget to obtain a copy of the final police report as well as the report number for your documentation, as well.
6. Seek Medical Attention
Sometimes basic first aid isn’t sufficient to address the injuries you’ve suffered in a bicycle accident. This is a reason to seek proper medical attention immediately.
Not only will medical professionals be able to address your visible injuries, but they could also run further tests to identify any underlying issues.
7. Contact a Lawyer
Often, insurance companies will try to negotiate compensation with you directly. Before making contact with the driver’s insurance company, you might consider consulting a personal injury lawyer first.
He or she will be professionally capable of negotiating any settlements with the driver and the insurance company and can represent your case appropriately if it has to go to court.
Conclusion
Just because you were on a bicycle, that doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy as many rights as a person operating a motor vehicle, or that you don’t deserve compensation.
In the aftermath of a bike accident, always make sure that you focus on your safety first. Then speak with the authorities and professionals who can help you navigate the best approach for handling your case.