Steps To Take If You Find Yourself Facing Injuries From A Bicycle Accident

Accidents happen all the time. It doesn’t matter whether you are riding a bike, driving a car, or any other type of vehicle, unfortunately, these things are sometimes unavoidable, even if you’re the most conscious and cautious person in the world.

At times you cannot change the outcome. Now, when these things happen, people (which is completely normal) get totally confused and are not sure what to do. Even though that’s understandable, bear in mind that it would be of huge importance to act fast.

What does it mean? It means that as soon as the accident occurs unless you are seriously injured, you have to know exactly what to do. Only then you’ll be able to protect yourself and the ones who’ve been injured the right way. So what are you supposed to do in this case? Let’s see!

Things To Do After A Bicycle Crash

Check Yourself, As Well As Your Helmet

Do you have a feeling like you’ve hit your head? If you’re not quite sure about it, see whether your helmet is damaged by any chance. Do you know your date of birth or at least your name? If someone is by your side, he or she should ask you these questions (of course, if they are doing okay).

If that’s not the case, and you’re alone then you have to do anything that’s in your power to assess your current mental state. Sadly, in these types of situations, it can be quite difficult to determine and be objective about it.

Even if you think that you are doing okay, it doesn’t mean that you are, hence, if you notice that your helmet is damaged in any way, then call somebody to pick you up. You are not supposed to go anywhere else alone until you’re one hundred percent sure you’re fine.

Wait For The Police To Come

Both you and the other person who has been involved are obligated to stay at the scene, especially if any of you has experienced some injuries or property damage. Even if you think that it’s not necessary, you still have to be there and wait for the police to arrive.

Now, if the other party tries to negotiate with you, do not accept anything. Even if he or she wants to accept the blame, or give you some form of compensation, do not fall for anything that he/she says.

If you’re having second thoughts about it, then you should consult with an expert. If by any chance, you live in Texas, then it would be smart to contact a Houston bicycle accident lawyer to see what he or she will advise you regarding this. You should never make any decisions without consulting with an attorney first because you can never tell if someone is going to try to trick you, especially if you’re not the one to blame.

Don’t Forget To Take These Steps As Well!

Gather Important Information

Speaking of the other driver, while you are waiting for both, your lawyer and the police to come, take the time to collect some crucial information from the other party. This information normally includes:

• Name
• Address
• The license number of the driver
• Phone number
• Insurance carrier
• Vehicle registration
• Insurance policy number
• License plate number
• Make and model of the automobile

If the other person is feeling well, and you’re not, yet you’re all alone, ask the driver to stay with you until someone else arrives. 

Take Pictures

If you’re not feeling well and are unable to take any pictures, then you should ask a family member, friend, or witness to do this instead. During this process, it’s crucial to get photographs of the whole accident scene, your bicycle, injuries, and any other vehicle that has been involved in a collision. 

More importantly, if you’re dealing with swelling or bruises, make sure to take lots of pictures of them because they have a tendency to change very fast. 

Contact The Insurer

If you’ve managed to do these things that were mentioned above, now it’s the perfect time to talk to your insurer, not the third party, because it could potentially impact your claim. That’s why it wouldn’t be recommendable to call the bike shop immediately.

Instead, first, call your insurer. Even if you want to replace or fix your damaged bike, you shouldn’t be doing that instantly because it could potentially impact the claim. 

Being in an accident is very stressful, even if you’re not injured in any way. Unfortunately, bike accidents have become too common, which is why it’s important to get yourself familiar with all the things you can do in case you experience something like this.