Biking, especially on a highway, is a fun and an adrenaline-filled way to keep fit and explore what California has to offer. At the same time, it’s also a dangerous activity as the chances of being rear-ended by a motorist in California are pretty high.
Unfortunately, when a bicycle accident happens, most cyclists often have no idea what to do next. That is why outlined five things every cyclist should do after a bicycle accident to ensure they receive the necessary compensation for the injuries and damages.
After a bicycle accident, most cyclists, probably due to the shock, tend to try and jump back on their bikes and get away from the scene as fast as they can only to fall again. While it’s okay to want to get to safety, you are only human, and there’s only so much you can do. So, after an accident, slow down, assess yourself to see if you can stand again before you move, so you don’t do more damage. If you can walk comfortably, move away from harm’s way.
Once safe, call 911. Even if you feel okay, make the call. Most people tend to downplay their injuries only to realize a few hours later or the next day that they were seriously injured. Call for professional help and let paramedics confirm that you are indeed okay. Besides, after an accident happens, 911 responders often record basic information that can come in handy when you make your claim.
Make sure you get the driver’s information. Write down their license plate number and insurance information. If anyone witnessed the accident, also make sure you obtain their contact info, and if the police are around, encourage them to give their version of the incident to the police.
Take photos of your bike, your injuries, and the accident scene. If possible, write down what you remember up to the time of the accident. These details will come in handy when you decide to seek compensation and will enable you to ensure your statement remains consistent throughout.
When a bicycle accident happens, most responding officers tend to only take the driver’s statement. You have the right to share your version of the story so make sure you exercise it. Ensure you mention all your injuries and stay consistent with what you wrote down above. Also note, police officers, do not always have to write a report.
They are only required to write one if there’s death, serious injuries, or when there’s more than $1500 in damage. So if you are not seriously injured, the officer might downplay the accident report. They may not even realize that your bike was worth more than $1500. Fortunately, it’s your right to request an accident report. So make sure you ask the officer to write one, as this will be incredibly important to your claim.
After a bicycle accident, chances are the at-fault driver’s insurance company will probably try to contact you. This might seem like a good thing, but it’s not. Their insurer might attempt to settle before anything else because it’s cheaper for them. If you accept their offer, they may make you sign a waiver preventing you from making any more claims in the future.
If their offer doesn’t work on you, they may use anything you say against you, or you may innocently admit liability. To sum it up, avoid speaking to the insurance company at all costs. Consult an attorney before you do, so they may guide you on the right steps.
Let a Professional Attorney Help
Although bicycle accidents are pretty common, they tend to be downplayed. For instance, most people know what to do after a car accident, but very few have an idea of what to do after a bicycle accident.
That is precisely why our bicycle accident and personal injury attorney team is here. Contact us today to know how you can get compensated after an accident.
blogs
Five Things to Check Before a Car Trip
Before a long car ride, we are talking anywhere from 100 miles and up, there are things to check out. Having a good mechanic is key if you are lucky enough to find one. But it is also essential to have some idea of what makes your car run safely, at a basic level. We […]
Ridesharing Services May Help Lower Drunk Driving Accidents
Research has been done in Chicago showing a correlation between ridesharing and drunk driving incidents. The study looks at the relationship between rideshare participants on the road and accidents over about a year’s time. It is no secret that drunk driving leads to catastrophic damages and injury on a regular basis in America. If you […]
Scooter Safety
Since the program began in 2018, when the city of Los Angeles legalized scooters and made a plan to distribute more, they have been a ubiquitous addition to the city streets. Touted as a boon to lower-income people who would have difficulty purchasing and maintaining cars, the scooters were a popular initiative. They were approved […]
Five Helpful Facts About Dog Bites
Dog bites are not only relatively common, but they can be incredibly dangerous. If you’re bitten by a dog, you run the risk of the obvious wound to your flesh or bone, but you also are at risk for an infection, including tetanus and rabies. It can be helpful to know how to treat such […]
Apps for Increased Rideshare Safety
Rideshares can be fun and convenient, but if you’re putting your life in the hands of a stranger by taking a rideshare, you’ll want to feel safe. No one wants to be put in a situation where they feel unsafe or lost, or where they might end up in a ridesharingaccident. Here are some apps […]
How Dangerous Are Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are more likely to die in a traffic accident than people inside passenger cars. In fact, they are 28 times more likely, due to a number of factors, including things like potential low visibility from the blind spots of other vehicles around them. Motorcycles are also most likely to be involved in collisions with […]
Five Apps for Bicyclists
Bicycle accidents happen all the time in the United States, and practicing bicycle safety is relatively simple – it just involves a lot of mindful riding and the safest possible equipment. Another part of safe bicycle riding is making sure you have your routes planned out and, in the case of an emergency, it doesn’t […]
Slip and Falls in Private Homes
Slips and falls are serious anywhere, but if you concentrate just on occurrences in private homes, an arresting statistic jumps out right away- falls are responsible for 50% of all accidental deaths in the home. Let’s take a look at two of the top causes of a slip and fall in a private home. We […]
Facts About Workers Compensation Claims
Getting injured on the job happens quite frequently, which is why many employers keep an eye out for workplace injuries and often do not take them seriously. It is important that you take your own workplace injury seriously, meaning to seek medical treatment right away and to know your options for workplace injury compensation. Your […]
Five Helpful Facts and Tips About Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles are specialist machines. They require their own licenses, training and a specific discipline for driving safely. Learning to drive defensively on a motorcycle can be more difficult than doing so in an automobile. Each year, there are 2,907 total motorcycle crashes, 2,274 of which result in injuries and 156 of which result in some […]
contact form
