Bicycle accidents are unfamiliar territory to most people. Even if you know what to do during a car accident, you may feel uncertainty if a car hits your bicycle. Rule number one of any accident is to keep a clear head. Injuries to bicyclists tend to be more severe. The chance of broken bones or head injuries is higher.
Don’t downplay your injuries. Even if you think that you’re okay, you should never walk away from the scene assuming that you are fine.
Call the Police
If a car hits you, call the police. Sometimes, a witness or the driver will call the police first. If you are unsure if anyone called the police or if you know that they didn’t, then you should be the one to do it. You should not be the one that determines whether you are okay. First responders will be able to get you the help that you need and can help determine whether you need medical attention.
Exchange Information
Like a car accident, you need to exchange personal information with the driver of the vehicle. You should obtain the insurance company and policy number from the driver. You can provide the driver with your personal information if you do not have car insurance. Since you were riding a bike, your auto insurance may not cover your injuries anyway. You would rely more on homeowners’ or renter’s insurance or bicycle insurance.
In addition to exchanging information with the other driver, get the contact information for any of the witnesses. If you have to file a lawsuit against the driver, you will need all of the evidence that you can get. Witness testimony is incredibly valuable.
Ask for a Police Report
If there are no obvious injuries or serious property damage, the police may not make a police report. Even if your bike was destroyed, it may not still be the minimum value for the cop to write a police report. Make sure to request a police report, just in case they do not write one by default.
Any accident can be disorienting. If you’ve never been in a bicycle accident before, you may not be sure what steps you should take. In general, you want to act similarly to how you would if you were in a car accident. After an accident, consider a consultation with a lawyer, like a bicycle accident lawyer in Indianapolis, IN from Ward & Ward Law Firm, to determine what to do next.