Riding a bike seems fairly safe. Your rate of speed is relatively slow compared to motor vehicles. You always wear a helmet and brightly colored gear so that you are visible and you follow the traffic laws. However, you have had enough close calls to know that a serious accident is only inches away most of the time. While no cyclist ever wants to be involved in a collision with a car, it is important to know what to do in case it ever happens.
Riding a bike seems fairly safe. Your rate of speed is relatively slow compared to motor vehicles. You always wear a helmet and brightly colored gear so that you are visible and you follow the traffic laws. However, you have had enough close calls to know that a serious accident is only inches away most of the time. While no cyclist ever wants to be involved in a collision with a car, it is important to know what to do in case it ever happens.
Studies have shown that approximately 48,000 cyclists per year suffer injuries due to accidents that involve cars. If you are included in that number, it is important to remember that you have options. You should not be forced to pay high medical bills out of your own pocket due to a driver’s negligence. A personal injury attorney in the Brooklyn area can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Read further for some tips on what to do immediately after a bicycle accident with a car.
1. Don’t get up
If you are in an accident with a car that causes you to hit the ground, stay there. You might be tempted to get up and dust yourself off, but without knowing the full extent of your injuries, this might lead to further damage. Take the time to make a full assessment. If you feel like you cannot get up or you are worried that something is broken, have someone call an ambulance and stay on the ground until help arrives.
2. Use your phone
After you or someone else has called for emergency assistance, use your phone to take pictures or video of the accident scene. This includes pictures of the car that hit you. Be sure you get shots of the license plate as well as the driver’s license and insurance information.
3. Get medical treatment
Even if you do not think you were seriously injured, you should still get a medical evaluation. Visit your doctor and tell him/her the details of the accident so that he/she gets an idea of possible internal damage you might have suffered. Do this as soon as possible. By waiting too long, you might surrender your right to receive compensation from your insurance company or the driver’s.
4. Don’t let the accident keep you off your bike
After a collision with a car, cycling might seem intimidating. Do not let it deter you from getting back on your bike. You might consider changing your routine and riding style so that you ride more defensively and are more aware. Once your doctor clears you to do so, get back on the road and restart your training program.
If you have suffered an injury while cycling due to a negligent driver, you might be able to receive compensation for damages. Contact a Brooklyn attorney today for help filing a claim so that you can get back on the road as soon as possible.
