The time immediately following a bicycle crash can be chaotic and confusing. Sometimes, when looking back on the events of a bicycle crash, we often think of all the things we should have done at the scene. Certainly, the circumstances of every bicycle crash are different, but there are a few important things to remember if you’re ever involved in a bicycle crash. If you get injured in an accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver, contact a personal injury attorney who will advocate for your rights. Contact personal injury lawyers for legal assistance.
- Always contact the police. After determining whether anyone needs assistance, the first thing you should do after a bicycle crash is immediately contact the police. Often a cyclist just wants to get away from the scene, which is not a good course of action. Contacting the police is crucial because people involved often have different versions of how the bicycle crash occurred. A police report will serve to both document your version of the bicycle crash and to document evidence at the scene of the bicycle crash which may become crucial proof later in a claim for damages.
- Collect information. Collect relevant information including the contact information of all people involved in the bicycle crash, along with the automobile insurance information (company and policy number) of any involved vehicles. Here is how lawyers are helping injured clients with workers compensation and making sure they get justice.
- Photograph the scene. If you have a cell phone, take photographs of all vehicles and bicycles involved in the bicycle crash, including any damage to the vehicles; and if possible, take a photograph of the vehicle license plate.
- Gather witness information. Talk to any witnesses to the bicycle crash and collect their contact information. If possible, ask that they speak to the police or your personal injury attorney about what they saw.
- Be sure to tell the police your version of the bicycle crash. Make certain that you speak to the police regarding your version of how the bicycle crash occurred.
- Report any injuries to the police and ambulance personnel. If you were injured in the bicycle crash, be sure to report ALL of your injuries to the police and ambulance personnel. You should also speak with personal injury attorneys to help you file a claim and seek compensation for your injuries.
- Limit conversations at the scene of the bicycle crash. After speaking to the police, ambulance personnel and any witnesses, you should limit your conversations at the scene of the bicycle crash. For example, an apology can often be used in a subsequent litigation as an admission of fault.
- Request an ambulance if injured. If you were injured in the bicycle crash, it is important to seek appropriate medical attention. Bicyclists sometimes are afraid of incurring medical bills, don’t want to use their own medical coverage, or believe they were at fault for causing the bicycle crash and therefore will be responsible for medical bills. However, none of these facts should be of concern to the cyclist because any injuries that arise from contact with a motor vehicle will be covered by the No-Fault medical coverage of the motor vehicle involved in the bicycle crash in the State of New York; regardless of who was at fault for causing the crash. This is called No-Fault or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage. New Jersey also has No- Fault legislation; with some important distinctions.
- Document all of your complaints to medical personnel. It is important to make sure that all your physical complaints are documented to medical personnel. Your medical records will be scrutinized by insurance claim adjusters in any subsequent claims that you present regarding the bicycle crash.