Bicycling is increasingly popular today around the U.S. for several reasons – we’re more health conscious and gas prices are unpredictable at best. Many communities around the country are encouraging more people to bike to work to reduce traffic congestion.
But if you’re in an accident while riding your bike, none of this really matters.
Especially if you were not at fault, what you do immediately following an accident heavily influences the outcome of any potential lawsuit against the driver or whatever caused your wreck.
Most importantly, follow all safety precautions (i.e. wear your helmet) and laws when riding your bike.
In the event you are in an accident while riding your bike, take the following steps if you are physically able.
1. No matter if you’re injured or not, call the police and wait for their arrival
Filing a police report ensures the proper documentation of what occurred is officially on record. Depending on the circumstances, they may ticket the driver, which may be useful in settling with the driver’s insurance company later on.
2. Obtain contact information from driver and witnesses
If you cannot get this information yourself, ask a witness or by-stander to do it for you. Don’t assume all of the driver’s information like insurance, vehicle registration, driver’s license and contact information will be in the police report.
3. Document everything, I mean everything!
Take mental notes and as soon as you are able, write down everything that happened and how. Seek medical attention for any injuries and keep detailed records. Start and maintain a daily journal recording any symptoms resulting from the wreck.
4. Preserve evidence
Do not fix your bike. Keep everything in the same state as it was before the accident and only turn it over to an attorney.
Check back again with WorkingManLaw.com for tips and insights into workers’ compensation, workplace safety and personal injury law. Learn how you handle in a legal sense different situations in the workplace and the outside world in general.