What to Do if You Have a Bicycle Accident?

This article will help you to know what to do if you have a bicycle accident.

Getting you and your bike out of the road or trail to somewhere safe is important.

If you are injured, you should call an ambulance, and do not be afraid to ask for help from those around you.

No matter how safety mindful you are, the chances are against you, so safety is paramount when riding a bicycle. Your rider may be in an accident involving a car driver. Knowing what to do in this situation and how well you protect your rights. The tips and suggestions can help you maintain the necessary information given below:

1. Get the Opposit Party's Details.

Try to get details about the opposite party if possible. Ask for their name, postal and email addresses, and telephone number, including the other party's vehicle registration in the accident.

Don't get involved in any argument, stay calm, and don't start to blame others or admit fault.

2. Take Photos To Keep Evidence.

Keep any damaged clothing and don't clean it. Keep your damaged bike parts and do not have your bike repaired. Take photos and get a written document of the damages if necessary to have it repaired.

You should take photos to record the accident scene and if a road defect causes it, photograph this with an item like a water bottle in the shot to display its size. If CCTV covers the scene – you should take prompt steps to get a copy of the footage.

If you need to defend yourself against any allegations of fault, helmet camera footage is useful, too, so make sure that it's saved and not later overwritten. The more detail you will keep, the easier it will be to deal with any legal claim.

3. Get Witnesses And Obtain Witness Contact Information.

If there are some witnesses, ask them for their names, postal and email addresses, and a phone number, as you need to contact them later to ask them to provide you with their account of the accident.

4. Report The Incident to The Police

If you or someone else is injured, you must report the accident to the Police as soon as reasonably practicable within 24 hours.

You and the car driver involved in the accident are legally bound to remain at the scene if there have been injuries or any property damage. Even if you think you have not been bruised, wait for the Police to arrive at the spot. You may not realize you have been wounded until later; it may be impossible to track down the driver once you have left the scene.

5. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Consult a doctor immediately if your injuries are minor and get a written evaluation.

It's good to get checked up at a hospital or your doctor even if you feel okay immediately after the accident. There may be long-term effects that you didn't spot when the accident happened. Trauma is always a risk, even if you didn't hit your head.

6. Keep Damaged Items

Make sure you keep any broken components.

You need to keep anything damaged in the accident as they might be needed as evidence in an insurance claim. That includes your bike, riding kit like helmet and clothing, and accessories. Make sure you have gathered everything up from the scene.

Don't try to repair your bike until you have permission from either your insurer or the other party's insurer.

What you should do afterward – what your insurer needs to know. You will want to get your bike and other kits repaired or replaced once you have negotiated the quick after-effects of the incident.

7. Call your Insurer, But Don't Negotiate With the Insurance Company.

The driver's insurance company can call you and attempt to settle before getting all the information to support your claim. Don't negotiate with any insurance company directly.

Contact your insurer as soon as practicable to let them know you had had an accident, so they will want to know when, where, and what happened and what damage has been caused to you and your bike, your clothing, and your bike's accessories.

It's worth getting an estimated repair cost from your shop in advance and finding out what needs to be done? How long will it take?

And how soon are you likely to have your bike ready to ride again?

Your insurer will want to know details of other parties involved in the accident, their contact information, their insurer, and any witness's details.

8.  Never Negotiate With The Motorist

Don't negotiate with the driver even if the opposite party apologizes and accepts the blame. You are not aware of the full extent of your injuries and damage to your bike, and the driver may change their mind later and deny the accident.

9. Obtain Driver Information

Exchange information with the car driver, including name, phone number, address, license plate number, make of car, driver's license number, and insurance policy number.

10. Document What Happened

Remember everything about the accident: when, where, and how it happened, road, traffic, and weather conditions. As soon as possible, write everything down. Draw maps showing the position and direction of everyone involved and include signs, streets, and traffic lights. If you or a rider has a cell phone with a camera, or injuries, use it to record the scene and the vehicle(s) involved.

11. Ensue the Police Take Your Report

Sometimes Police are more concerned with recording a car driver's interpretation of events than a cyclist's. Make sure your statement of what happened is included in the police report. No matter how minor it may appear, report any injury. You can ask to have the report edited later if you can't get your statement included in the police report at the scene. Get the number of the accident report and write it down in any case.

12. Seek Advice From a Professional

Don't contact your insurance company before speaking to a personal injury attorney experienced in bicycle accident cases. An attorney deal with insurance companies on your behalf and hires a bike accident expert to investigate the accident and, if necessary, represent you in a lawsuit.

Remember that you have the same rights and responsibilities as the drivers of bicyclists' motor vehicles. It is in your best interests to take the right steps after an accident to make sure your rights are protected.