In the last year, many Americans have embraced bicycling as a great way to enjoy spending time outside and getting exercise. However, bicyclists do face risks when they participate in their hobby. Unfortunately, the rate of bicycle accidents overall has been on the rise in recent years. In 2020, nearly 700 bicyclists died in accidents with cars, only slightly lower than 2019, likely because of spring state shutdowns.
For bicyclists who are lucky enough to survive a crash with a car, they can face devastating injuries – broken bones, traumatic brain injuries and spinal and back injuries. In moments after a vehicle crash, bicyclists need to know what to do – and what not to – to ensure they receive full compensation for their injuries and damage to their bike.
Here are some essential dos and don’ts to keep in mind if you are involved in a bike crash:
- Do call police and report the accident. You will want an official report of what happened if you need to make an injury claim or damaged property claim.
- Do gather the name, address, telephone number and insurance information of the driver involved, as well as contact information for witnesses to the crash.
- Do seek medical attention for your injuries. Even if you don’t notice any injuries right away, you likely will wake up feeling sore the next day or the day after that and should have your injuries evaluated by a medical professional. You want to have hard medical evidence of how serious your injuries are and how long it may take you to recover from them.
- Don’t talk to the driver’s insurance company. You may say something that harms your case for injury compensation. Instead, work with an experienced personal injury attorney, who can deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
- Don’t fix, repair or get rid of your damaged bike, helmet or any of your damaged property from the crash. You want to have the damaged items as evidence in your case.
- Don’t sign any authorizations or settlement from the driver’s insurance company without consulting your attorney. You want to make sure you have the opportunity to pursue maximum compensation for any injuries you suffered in the accident. You don’t want to sign something that limits your options for that.
By taking the right steps, you better can ensure you receive proper compensation for your damaged property and any injuries you sustained. You can get the compensation you need to pay for your past and future medical bills and to cover your lost wages. Most importantly, you can focus on your recovery and moving forward with your life.
