What to Do If You Have an Accident With a Cyclist? - 8 minutes read


There are certain things you need to do if you have an accident with a cyclist. These include obtaining medical care, obeying the law, and contacting a personal injury lawyer.

You should also make sure that you get the driver’s information. This includes the driver’s name, phone number, license information, and insurance information. Also, try to get the contact information for any witnesses.


Report the Accident to the Police

As with any accident involving a vehicle and a cyclist, if you are in the position to do so, it is important to report the crash to the police. This will help ensure that the facts of the accident are recorded accurately, and it can also speed up the process by which the case is handled by law enforcement and insurance companies. In many cases, a police officer will be dispatched to the scene of the crash. If you can, ask for the officer’s name and badge number as well as a police or incident report number, if available. This will be useful information to have later when you file your claim.


Stay calm and do your best to describe the incident in detail. Do not try to draw conclusions about who is responsible for the collision, since this may work against your case down the line. If there are witnesses, get their contact information as soon as possible. This could be important evidence as to what happened, especially if the driver of the car denies doing anything wrong.


Enjuris Tip: If the accident happened in a parking lot or on a road that is in view of homes or businesses, it’s worth asking about video surveillance footage, as this can often tell a different story than even the most well-intentioned witness. It is also a good idea to seek medical attention, even if your injuries appear minor at the time of the crash. This is because some injuries don’t show up right away, and having the medical records documented can be helpful in proving your claims for damages down the line. Also, getting a medical evaluation can help document the extent of your injuries and the impact that they have had on your quality of life.


Contact an Attorney

The last thing you expect when you’re riding your bicycle is to get into a serious accident. However, even when you take every possible precaution, unexpected circumstances can arise that lead to injury or death. If another party was negligent in causing your cycling accident, they may be held liable in a personal injury lawsuit. It’s essential that you call the police as soon as possible after a bike crash to ensure that a full report is filed. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may need to be transported to the hospital or receive emergency medical treatment at the scene.


When you talk with law enforcement, make sure to get their name and badge number. In addition, you should also exchange contact information with any eyewitnesses that witnessed the incident. Write down a summary of the events, and try to remember as many details as you can about the accident. This will help the police and your bike accident lawyer later when they review the evidence. If the collision caused damage to your vehicle, it’s important that you save any receipts for repairs or replacement. You may be able to have these expenses reimbursed by the at-fault driver’s insurance company.


Additionally, if you have any damaged clothing or other personal items that were damaged in the crash, be sure to keep them. You could have them replaced or repaired after the case is over. It’s also wise to see a doctor for a thorough medical examination, even if you think you are not hurt. Many accident injuries, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), do not show symptoms until several hours or days after the collision. If you have suffered an injury from a collision with a cyclist, a qualified United Solicitors attorney can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys can examine the facts of your case, conduct a thorough investigation, and pursue all available legal avenues for compensation. To maximize your chances of winning a fair settlement, we will visit the scene of the accident, take photographs, obtain surveillance videos, interview witnesses, and consult with medical professionals.


File a Claim for Damages

Once you have received medical care, complied with all accident reporting laws, and documented damage to your bike and other property, it is time to file an insurance claim. You should do so as soon as possible, and notify the driver’s insurance company that you intend to file an injury claim, as well. You should also contact your own auto insurance provider, if you have one, or the insurer of any family members who do have a vehicle in the household.


If you know of any witnesses, get their contact information as well. Witnesses are a vital component of a bicycle crash investigation and may help you build your case for negligence against the driver of the car that hit you. Obtain their names, phone numbers, addresses and email addresses. Ask if they are willing to write and sign a statement at the scene about what they saw. Photographic evidence is also helpful, including skid marks, traffic signals, street signs and anything else that could have been a factor in the crash.


Lastly, take photos of your injuries, as well as your bicycle and any other property damage. Keep in mind that your injuries will continue to develop over the days, weeks and months of recovery, so it is important to document them as they progress. Take pictures of your bruises, swelling, road rash, and any other physical changes. Injury photos are often very persuasive to a jury, and can be used to support your claim for compensation for pain and suffering.


Visit Website: https://www.united-solicitors.co.uk/road-traffic-accident-claims/cycling-accident-claims


It is also important to have copies of all your medical records and other documentation pertaining to the accident. You will need this information when filing a claim with your health and auto insurance providers, as well as if you choose to sue the liable parties. Be careful about signing any forms that permit the release of your entire medical history, and try to limit medical release authorizations to the specific records relating to the crash. You should also keep a copy of any statements you have made to police, as they can be used in court to prove your version of events.


Stay at the Scene

If you’re involved in a bicycle accident, your immediate priority should be getting medical care as soon as possible. In addition to checking for external injuries like cuts, broken bones and spinal cord trauma, it’s crucial that you get an internal examination for any internal damage as well. You’ll also want to stay at the scene of the crash to collect evidence and give your account of what happened to police officers. This will help your case if you decide to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.

Cyclists are a frequent target for motorists who don’t pay attention to the road or give them enough space. In fact, USA Today featured a story about a man who was paralyzed in Manchester when a car driver’s door opened as he was cycling by.


It’s important to exchange information with the motorist, including his or her name, address, phone number, license plate number, and insurance policy number. Get names and phone numbers for any witnesses as well. Make a map or diagram of the accident site, taking into account streets, intersections and any other relevant details such as weather conditions. Take photos of the accident and your injuries if you can. Often, cyclists will use a bike mount for their smartphone, which allows them to document the accident and record video of the crash from an angle that’s impossible to get with a camera. If your phone has a GPS app, turn it on so that it records the location of the accident.


While it’s natural to feel upset and angry after a crash, losing your temper won’t do anything to help you in the long run. Be polite and cooperate with the police officers at the scene and avoid making any accusations or assumptions about fault. It’s also a good idea to note whether or not the cyclist who hit you was working at the time of the collision. If he or she was an employee of a restaurant, delivery service or other company that requires its employees to ride bikes as part of their work duties, you may be able to sue for damages.

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