The most common cause of bicycle accidents is getting hit by a car. (NHTSA) In fact, 96% of cyclist fatalities involve a motor vehicle. At The Quigley Law Firm we know that accidents can happen at any time and we are here to help.
If you get hit by a car on your bike you should take a moment to calm down, move yourself out of traffic and out of harm’s way. If you need emergency medical care, call 911 immediately. Most bicycle accidents involving cars cause serious injury and serious damage to the biker. It is critical that you ensure your own safety and well-being before anything else. Do not admit fault even if the motor vehicle driver is angry and trying to place blame on you.
If you are severely injured there will be a responding police officer who will create a record of the accident. The officer will write out a detailed accident report to help assess who is at fault and what occurred. You should cooperate with the police officer as they can help you gather the driver’s contact information. If you can obtain the motor vehicle driver’s name and insurance carrier yourself it is important that you do so. If you’re unable to do so, ask the responding police officer to collect this information for you. All drivers must present police officers with their car insurance paperwork at the scene of an accident. If you are able to get any contact information from bystanders, this too will help your personal injury case. Before you leave the scene of the accident take your belongings with you as these could help prove the severity of your injuries in court.
Bicycle accidents are very serious. Seeking medical attention is important in this type of personal injury case because medical care will provide documents and hard copy proof of your injuries. Seek medical attention immediately after a bicycle accident even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. A visit to the emergency room or a doctor can help you determine what kind of treatment plan you will need in the future. It is important to have an estimate idea of how much time and money your recovery process will require.
Your next step is to reach out to a personal injury lawyer to determine if you have a valid case. Most personal injury lawyers provide you with a free consultation. Quigley Law Firm is here to help you get compensated for your bicycle accident injuries. Call us today for a free consultation at (619) 413-4405.