What steps should you prioritize after a cycling accident?
Being involved in a bicycle accident is frightening, whether you are a cyclist or a driver. You can quickly get stressed or go into shock, causing you to forget what you need to do. Readers have highlighted the most critical steps you should take and why so that you are prepared in case of an accident.
Ty Gibson
Ty Gibson is a Texas-based attorney and founder of Gibson Hill PC.
Take Photographs of Evidence
The first step is to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. If you are on [the] road, make sure you remove yourself to the side. If you or others are injured, call an ambulance.
Once immediate safety is handled, think about the situation. If you are the person injured, and you think the other might be at fault, giving you a reason for a personal injury case, then this is what I recommend you do:
- Collect evidence. Take photos of the situation, write down what happened in detail before you forget, collect the names of any willing witnesses and of the perpetrator of the accident.
- Talk with the person who caused the accident and ask about any insurance they might have.
- If your injuries are treated, collect medical evidence of this.
- Contact a personal injury attorney for legal advice and a plan of action.
Ensure Your Safety First
If a cyclist has been involved in a cycling accident, the very first thing to do is get to a safe place on the road, out of the way of traffic, if possible.
Cyclists may be shaken and in shock after an accident, and unfortunately for cyclists, getting knocked off a bike usually results in injury as well.
So, the main priority is safety, and then call the emergency services to attend the scene if required.
Don’t ever admit fault or apologize, as this could go against you if you were to make a personal injury claim – although it’s still possible to recover some compensation even if the cyclist was partly at fault.
Exchange personal and insurance details with anyone else involved in the collision, and try to get the contact details of any witnesses nearby.
Take plenty of photographs of the scene of the accident and the surrounding roads, including photos showing the weather at the time of the accident. Take some close-up photos of any damage to the bike and equipment, as well as wide-angle shots.
Report the accident to the police so that they have a record of the incident. This can also help cyclists when making a personal injury claim.
It’s worth noting that for people who go on and make a compensation claim, it is possible to recover money for the bike, any damaged clothing and equipment, medical treatment, loss of earnings, rehab for physical injury, and for any emotional distress suffered as a result of the accident.
Daniel Slade
Daniel Slade, Senior Partner at Express Solicitors.
Huzaifa Ahsan
Huzaifa Ahsan, Co-founder of FindPeopleFirst.
Stay at the Scene
1. Remain at the Scene of the Accident
The first thing you should do is stay put and make sure that everyone is okay. Even if no one appears to be hurt or you believe that your injuries are minor, you should never leave the scene of an accident until the police arrive.
2. Call 911 and Contact the Police
If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. You should also ask the police to make an official report of the bicycle accident. Because some law enforcement agencies have a policy of not taking a report unless someone is injured, you need to make certain that you convey all injuries, no matter how minor, to the officers. You should also ensure that you receive the traffic accident information card with the accident report number so [you] can secure a copy of the police report.
3. Gather Information from the Driver and Witnesses
If you were involved in an accident with a bicyclist, you should get their contact information. If you got into a collision with a driver, then you should get their license plate number along with their contact and insurance information. It is also ideal to [gather] a witness’s personal information. You will need to gather as much evidence as you possibly can to strengthen your insurance claim.
Ask For Medical Assistance
If you’ve been in a cycling accident and it wasn’t your fault, remember: “me first.” Call 911 first to get your injuries checked right away. Make sure you take a photo of the other party’s driver’s license, license plate, and proof of insurance, and then call a personal injury lawyer.
While you can choose to face the insurance adjusters on your own, an experienced attorney [will] help you navigate the injury claim process, cover medical bills, get the highest compensation for losses, and get your property damage repaired for free.
Justin Farahi
Atty. Justin Farahi from Farahi Law Firm, APC.
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