10 Steps to Take After a Bicycle Crash
A Guide from Mann & Maximon, LLC
1. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. CALL 911 AND POLICE. Assess your injuries and call the police and 911. The most important thing is your health. Get law enforcement and medical treatment as soon as possible.
2. PROTECT THE SCENE. Don’t move your bike. To the extent possible, photograph the scene as it existed at the time of the crash. Photograph the car that hit you and your bicycle where they came to rest after the collision.
3. OBTAIN INFORMATION. Get the names and contact information of any witness. Sometimes people leave before the police arrive or police fail to record names of witnesses. Try to get everyone’s name or have them text you their info.
4. DON’T LEAVE THE SCENE. Don’t leave the scene before the police arrive. Don’t agree to not call the police. Get the name and insurance info of the other driver. If he/she decides to leave, try to get their license plate number.
5. DON’T ADMIT FAULT. Often, it is difficult to know exactly what happened. Limit your comments to those things which you saw, heard or felt. Don’t speculate, just the facts. Limit your conversations with the at fault driver.
6. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR DATA. Your bike computer/GPS Unit has very valuable data/information concerning how the collision occurred. Remove and secure your bicycle data.
7. TAKE PICTURES. Photograph your injuries. The body heals amazingly fast. Photograph your injuries every step of the way, before medical treatment, after medical treatment, before surgery and after surgery.
8. REPORT THE ACCIDENT. Call your agent or your automobile insurance company to report a claim. You may have a claim for medical payments and bodily injury benefits available through your own automobile insurance.
9. NO RECORDED STATEMENTS. Do not give any recorded statements. Do not sign any medical releases, unless required by a health care provider giving you care. Only give a recorded statement after you have reviewed all available information and have consulted with a lawyer.
10. PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. Contact a lawyer to get advice, and to understand your rights and obligations.
