What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

Following a bicycle accident, you may be scared, confused, and unsure of what to do next. Should I talk with the driver of the vehicle? Call my insurance? Maybe I should even call a lawyer? The appropriate steps to take following a bicycle accident may not always be clear; however, to ensure your best chance of having a case, there are specific things you should do (and not do) if you are involved in a bicycle accident.

Here, we look at the steps to follow if you find yourself involved in a bicycle accident in Colorado. Focus on safety first, and no matter the situation, never admit guilt to anyone. After the incident, you should consider contacting a professional bicycle Denver accident attorney. Even if you’re not sure you even have a case, these specialized lawyers can answer your questions and determine if there’s potential for compensation.

MOVE TO SAFETY

In the event of a bicycle accident, the first thing you should do is prevent any further injuries or damage. If you’re physically able, move to a safe area like a sidewalk, shoulder of a road, or nearby parking lot. Even if your bicycle is unusable, try to remove it from the road so that additional cars aren’t damaged (and so you can preserve this important piece of evidence).

CHECK FOR INJURIES

Check for any injuries and don’t underestimate the situation if you’re feeling normal. Often, following an extreme event like a bicycle accident, our bodies are fueled with adrenaline, which masks minor injuries and pain. If there are significant injuries, call 911 immediately. Nothing is more important than your health and safety in the event of a bicycle accident.

CALL THE POLICE FOR AN ACCIDENT REPORT

Once you’re feeling safe and secure, it’s essential to call the police. Even if you believe you may be at fault, a police report is critical to have a neutral and objective account of the accident. In many states, it’s also required by law to contact the police after an accident. While, for some, involving the police seems to only escalate the situation, it’s beneficial for everyone involved and the authorities can help manage and resolve the incident.

EXCHANGE INFORMATION

While waiting for the police to arrive, you should exchange information with the driver of the vehicle. Be sure to get their insurance information, and if you don’t have a pen or pencil available, ask them if you can snap a photo of their insurance card. It’s also helpful to receive basic contact information, including a phone number and e-mail address, in case additional communication is needed in the future. Avoid offering too much information, however, that could be used to your disadvantage in the event of a legal case.

GATHER EVIDENCE

To ensure the strongest possible case, you’ll need as much evidence as you can gather at the scene of the accident. Take pictures of your bicycle, the vehicle, and any other property that may have been damaged—yourself included. In bicycle accident cases, you never know what type of evidence will play a critical role, so it’s smart to take as many pictures as possible.

There are other types of evidence you can gather, including eyewitness testimonies and physical evidence. If there are any witnesses, record their version of the event and ask for contact information. One final piece of evidence may seem like the most obvious: your bicycle. While your instincts may push you to fix your bike, keep it in the original condition following the accident—this can serve as critical evidence in a bicycle accident case.

CONTACT A BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

One of the last, yet still very important, steps following an accident is to contact a trusted bicycle accident attorney. These professionals can answer any questions you may have and, if needed, even connect you with a medical specialist. Before speaking with insurance agents or following up with the driver, contact a bicycle accident attorney so you have a plan moving forward.

WHAT NOT TO DO AFTER A BICYCLE ACCIDENT

Following a bicycle accident, there are also certain things you need to avoid doing to ensure your rights are protected. Regardless of the situation, never admit guilt (to the driver, bystanders, or even the police). You should, of course, provide the police with an accurate description of the event, but you can do so without admitting guilt, which can make a significant impact on any future case.

You also need to remain at the scene of the accident. Many people panic in these moments and simply want to escape. While this is a natural inclination, you need to stay at the scene for your own safety (you may have injuries without realizing it) and to file a police report.

You also want to avoid divulging more than is needed at the scene. Answer any questions asked by the authorities or medical professionals, but don’t overshare with the driver. Say, for example, you felt tired during your nightly bike ride and you think this could have contributed to the accident. If you share this information with the driver of the vehicle, you could hurt your potential for receiving compensation.

STATISTICS ON BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2018, there were 857 bicyclists killed in traffic accidents in the United States. Additionally, reports have shown that accidents between bicycles and motor vehicles are increasing over the last few years. In 2015 alone, there were almost 467,000 bicycle-related injuries.

According to data, roughly 75 percent of bicycle accidents occur at night. Men are six times more likely to be involved in a bicycle accident than women and alcohol is involved in about a third of bicycle accidents.

HOW TO PREVENT A BICYCLE ACCIDENT

When riding your bicycle (no matter where you are), safety should always be your first priority. While you can’t control the cars on the road, you can do certain things to make your bicycle trips safer:

· Keep up on bicycle maintenance and repairs

· Wear bright and reflective clothing

· Obey all traffic laws and signs

· Familiarize yourself with your route ahead of time

· Always be aware of your surroundings

CONCLUSION – WHAT TO DO AFTER A BICYCLE ACCIDENT

Following a bicycle accident, your safety and health should be the top priority. Next, you should be sure to contact the police and exchange insurance and contact information with anyone else involved in the accident. Call the police and gather as much evidence from the scene, including photographs and any witness reports. Following these steps, you should reach out to a Colorado accident attorney to learn more about your rights and see if this is a case you could pursue legal compensation. The steps you take immediately following the accident will play a major role in any future case.