Knowing what to do after you have been in an accident can be difficult. If you have never been in a bicycle accident before or have not read up on what to do, you may find yourself in a difficult situation. You may simply try to hop back on your bike, tell the other party that you are fine, and try to move on with your day. However, a few hours or even days later you may wake up feeling very stiff, may find that you have a sprain or a broken bone, or may even discover that you are suffering from a concussion. This is why it is paramount that you know some of the steps to take immediately after you have been in a bicycle accident. This can save you time and money down the road when it comes to filing your legal claim.
First Steps After Your Bicycle Accident
Right after a bicycle accident has occurred, a bicycle accident attorney knows that there are a few steps that you should take.
- Move Out of Harm’s Way. Depending on where you ended up after the accident, you may still be in an unsafe place, whether it is the middle of the street, a gutter, or on another vehicle. If you are able to move without injuring yourself further, try to get to a safe place where you know another vehicle will not hurt you.
- Exchange Information With the Driver. Just as you would if you were in a car accident with someone else, exchange information with the other party. This includes things like your name, insurance information, address, and phone number. You want to make sure that when you leave the scene of the accident you are able to get in contact with the other party or that you can pass this information along to your lawyer.
- Call the Police. The other party may try to stop you from calling the police. They may say that the accident was not that bad or they may try to tell you that they do not wish to get in trouble over a “mere bike accident.” However, if you were injured while riding your bike, it is extremely important that you bring in local law enforcement so that they can create a police report and they can gather evidence at the scene.
- Get Medical Attention. Even if you think that you are fine following the accident, it is important that you get the medical attention you need. A doctor will be able to tell you sooner rather than later if you have something more serious, like fractured bones or a concussion. The sooner you are able to get treated by a doctor, the better chances you have of physically (and emotionally) recovering.
Don’t hesitate when you have been injured while riding your bike. Follow these steps to ensure you have what you need when you are ready to file your legal claim, then call your local attorney’s office.