From the point that you feel the impact of a car as it hits you while biking, your actions will be under the watchful eye of the other driver, his or her insurance company, and the police called to the scene. Protect the integrity of the truth in your pedestrian/bicycle accident claim and your innocence by completing each action on this “What to Do after a Bike Accident” checklist.
Call the Police
If you’re able and have access to a phone, call the cops to report the accident immediately. Even if you don’t think that your injuries are severe enough to require medical attention, you should still report the accident. As you wait for the arrival of the police, get the information of the driver involved in the crash.
Important information to collect includes these things.
- Driver’s name
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle type
- Vehicle license plate number
Talk to Eyewitnesses
If there are any witnesses to the accident, speak to them as soon as you can. Request that they stick around to give their version of events to the police (later, you can ask a police report with witness testimony). You should also get witnesses’ names and contact information in the event that you need to communicate with them in the future.
Make Your Version of the Accident Known
Tell the police what you believed happened, and ensure that you don’t admit fault; if you admit fault, this may come back to harm your claim later on. When you’re able—perhaps later on at home—record your version of the events. Also record any injuries, both physical and psychological. If you’ve sought medical care for the bike accident injuries, hold onto medical bills and any doctors’ reports.
Take Pictures
Physical evidence is important, so preserve it! Taking photos of any evidence from the accident is paramount. If you can, take a picture of the other vehicle, damage to your bike, your injuries, and any other essential elements of the accident scene (i.e. tire skid marks).
Contact an Attorney
If you’re in a bike accident, you have the right to pursue a civil action against the driver if the driver acted negligently and if you’ve incurred damages. Damages may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, lost wages, etc.
This list can be used to prove the negligence and liability of the at-fault party, and substantiate the extent of damages you’ve suffered.
- Police reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Photographic evidence
- Medical reports
Just make sure that you contact an attorney as soon as possible – you only have two years to file a claim for damages. To get started today, reach out to the lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC. Contact our offices at 215-642-2335 now.
