What To Do When You’ve Been In A Bicycle Accident
Brian O Sutter
Accident Lawyers
Personal Injury
Summer is a great time to ride your bicycle. Whether you are commuting to and from work or simply riding for sport, bicycling is a fun way to get around town. However, Florida has the highest rate of bicycle accidents in the country, so it’s especially important here that you are prepared in case you are ever in an accident. Here is what to do if you are involved in a bicycle accident:Exercise Proper Safely
The best thing to a bicyclist can do is to avoid an accident in the first place by exercising proper bicycle safety. You should always wear protective gear like helmets and good shoes. Also, make sure your bicycle is properly maintained so that you don’t have an accident because of a mechanical malfunction. Then, while on the road, make sure you are always visible, ride defensively, and stay alert. If you ride safely you are much less likely to be in an accident.
Make Sure You Are Safe
The first thing you need to do after an accident is to get out of harm’s way. If the accident happened on a road or a busy intersection, move off the road to somewhere away from the traffic. Sometimes you could be knocked off your bike into an even more dangerous situation, so you need to move as quickly as you can.
Call 911
Whether or not you have been injured, you need to call emergency services. If you have been injured, you will need immediate medical attention so that your condition does not get worse or develop into a more serious problem. When you call 911, tell the operator your name, the details about the accident, if there are any injured parties, and your location. If you do not have access to a phone, you need to ask a witness or a bystander to call for you.
File A Police Report
After you call 911, you will need to file a police report. If you don’t need immediate medical attention, wait for the police to arrive on the scene to file the report. If you have been injured, you will need to file a police report as soon as you are capable. It is crucial you file a police report, even if you haven’t been injured because injuries may develop over time. If you find you are later injured, it will be harder to make a claim without a report.
What To Tell The Police
When talking to the police answer their questions as best as you can. Try to remember everything detail, even things you don’t think will matter. Be courteous and patient. An accident can be a stressful time, but getting upset won’t move the process along any quicker.
Collect Information
You will then want to collect any information from the people involved in the accident and any witnesses. Make sure you get their contact information. If you have a cell phone you should try calling them right away to make sure the numbers are correct. Also, if you have a smartphone or a camera available you should take pictures of the accident, the accident scene, your bicycle, and any injuries. Then when you get home, take notes of everything that happened so that you remember in case you have to recall them later for a claim.
Bicycle accidents can be scary, but if you take these steps you can make sure you are protected. However, if you are having difficulty paying for your injuries after a bicycle accident because the insurance companies are being uncooperative, contact the lawyers at All Injuries Law Firm. Our personal injury attorneys have years of experience with bicycle accident claims and can work with the insurance companies to negotiate a fair settlement. So contact us today for a free consultation to see if we can help you.