What to Do If You Are in a Bicycle Accident (no, Crash!)
You’ve been hit on your , now you ?
Bike Law network lawyers, Bruce Hagen (GA) and Bob Mionske (OR) discuss one of the most FAQ we receive – “What to do if I’m in a bike accident?”
We have written extensively on the topic of what to do after a bicycle crash and at our recent Bike Law retreat, we put together an information-rich video on our tips for what to do after you’ve been in a bike crash and why we call it a crash, not an accident.
Information You Should Know Before a Bike Crash
Unfortunately, people often find our resources when they are searching the internet after they have been hit by a car. We ask you to share this information widely so that bicyclists know what to do before an incident occurs.
Key things covered in the video:
• Why we call them bicycle crashes and not accidents. You can learn more about this topic in past articles.
• Why you should call the police
• What information you should gather
• Why you should visit a doctor
• How to handle insurance
• What to look for in a good bicycle crash attorney
10 Things to Do After a Bike Crash
- Before you start your ride, make sure you have a cell phone, personal identification, emergency contact, and something to write with. (We carry a mini pencil in our seatbag)
- Dial 911: call the police or an ambulance immediately. If you are unable to do so, ask someone to help.
- Always wait for the police to arrive and file an official report. A police report provides documentation detailing the incident, including the identity of witnesses.
- Get the business card of the officer.
- Leave your bike in the same state it was after the crash, if possible. It is best if the police see the accident scene undisturbed.
- Obtain the contact information of any witnesses.
- Immediately seek medical attention, either at the scene, the emergency room, hospital or doctor’s office. When in doubt go to the ER! Give all complaints to the doctor. Medical records are proof that you were injured and document the extent of your injuries.
- Take photos of injuries and keep a diary of how you feel after the crash.
- Never negotiate with the driver of the vehicle, regardless of who may be at fault. Get photos of the car, license plate, driver’s license and insurance card, along with the names of any passengers.
- Give no written or recorded statements to anyone until you talk to an attorney.
Other Bicycle Crash Resources
Other articles we believe every bicyclist should read:
• Learn more about bicycle safety
• Damaged bike in a crash? Make a claim
• Does auto insurance cover a bicycle crash?
• Insurance advice for Oregon bicyclists and most everywhere else
-
From Winner to Advocate: One Cyclist’s E-Bike Journey
Two years ago, on a family trip to Switzerland, my wife and I rented two electric-assisted mountain bikes, or e-MTBs, to tackle some steep trails near the Matterhorn. The salesperson said, in no uncertain terms, that the new e-MTBs were the way of the future, and we should give them a try. So we did. …
-
A Comprehensive Guide to E-Bikes in Louisiana: Laws, Tips, and Choosing the Best E-Bike
E-bikes are popping up everywhere. If you’re riding one in Louisiana or thinking about getting one, you may have questions about the laws, safety tips, and how to pick the right bike. That’s exactly what this post is here for! We’ll break down what you need to know about riding e-bikes in Louisiana, from legal…
-
The Lisa Torry Smith Act: A Win for Cycling Safety in Texas?
The Lisa Torry Smith Act brings important changes to Texas law. It makes clear that cyclists can ride in crosswalks and now requires drivers to stop and yield before entering a crosswalk with a pedestrian or cyclist. A gap in Texas law is allowing some drivers who hit people in crosswalks to get off scot-free,…
-
Far Right?! I was taking a LEFT!
Even Bike Law lawyers get hassled. Like many of us, riding for me is stress relief; it’s an escape from conflict and a busy schedule. Sometimes incidents on the road have the opposite effect and one incident this weekend made me question the state of humanity. It was not an unusual event, nor a particularly…
-
E-BIKES ARE LEGAL IN NC (WELL, SOME OF THEM)
Love them or hate them, e-bikes continue to rise in popularity. At the same time, lawmakers struggle to keep up with the developing technologies. Every week I get multiple inquiries from people trying to navigate North Carolina’s e-bike laws. If you’re confused, you’re not alone. We could easily fill a book with all the latest…
-
BIKES & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Many of our cycling clients find themselves having to interact with the criminal justice system. Typically, it’s because the driver who hits them (or their family member) is charged with a crime or traffic offense. Occasionally bicyclists themselves are charged with traffic offenses! Every state’s criminal laws are different, but there is a lot of…
-
Another Successful Road Defect Case, This Time a $750,000 Settlement in Georgia
We recently shared the story of a trial victory from the State of Texas where a bicyclist was injured due to a defect in a road maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation. Texas Road Defect We now can tell the story of another huge win in a road defect case, this time from our Bike Law…
-
One Million Dollars for Texas Road Defect
The Texas Department of Transportation had offered cyclist Mike Bagg $0. Recently, attorneys with the Bike Law network took a case to a trial against a titan of a defendant: the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDOT was represented by the Attorney General’s Office, one of Texas’ largest legal teams. We had a great client, but it was…
-
More Roads = Better Transportation, And Other Myths
2023 got off to a rough start for Charlotte, North Carolina, particularly in the context of road safety. Within about a week, we lost a young woman who was riding her bicycle, a pedestrian killed in the same area of town, and four people were killed in a car wreck on I-85 in the University…
