Did you know that California has the highest rate of car-related bicycle injuries in the country?  Have you been a bicycle accident with a car? Wondering what you need to do after getting into a bike accident with a car? Here are five steps on what you need to do to protect yourself, your rights and your health in this frightening situation.

5 Things to Do After a Bike Accident

1. Take Extensive Video and Photos

After the accident, try to remain calm and move out of traffic immediately.  Don’t try to negotiate with the driver, as they might be sympathetic to you at the moment but oftentimes deny their actions afterward. Use your cell phone to record yourself explaining in detail your side of the story of what happened. Your memory of the event might differ as time passes so the importance of this video cannot be overstated.  Also, take as many pictures as possible of the scene of the accident, your bicycle, the car that hit you and all of your injuries. Text the videos and your photos to a friend or family member as a backup.

2. Call the Police to Report the Accident

Even if you’re feeling fine and you don’t feel any pain at the moment after the accident, use your cell phone to call the police immediately. You don’t know what could happen in the future as many injuries resulting from accidents appear many hours, or even days after, the event. Also, have the driver stay and wait for them to come as well.  When the police officers arrive, let them know your side of the story. The benefit of having a police officer on the scene is so that they may ticket the driver which can benefit in settling a case with an insurance company. It also helps identify the at-fault driver. Later on you should contact the police department and make sure the information on the accident report is correct (or you can alter it by submitting an amended report).

3. Collect Information from Witnesses and the Driver

If possible, collect any information about the driver and witnesses such as their names, phone numbers, addresses, their driver’s licence and vehicle licence numbers, and insurance information.  Take pictures and videos of their identifying documents. Inspect yourself too and indicate whether you have an injury, minor or severe.

4. Seek Medical Treatment Immediately

You may feel like nothing is wrong and you have no injuries at the moment of the accident but, still have a doctor have a look at you. Injuries from accidents can show up many hours after the collision.

5. Consult With an Attorney You Can Trust

Whether you were riding a bicycle or a pedestrian, our lawyers have extensive experience in obtaining the best possible recovery for your accident injuries. Given the unprotected position of a bike rider or a pedestrian, serious injury can often result from a collision with a motor vehicle.  Often the fault of such an accident lies with the driver of the vehicle and not the bicyclist or the pedestrian. Contact us at Bonjour, Thorman, Burns & Dahm for a free initial consultation.

Did You Know that Experienced Cyclists and Experienced Attorneys Win Large Settlements?

Attorneys Emily Dahm and Megan Burns are lifelong athletes who have completed multiple triathlons. Our lawyers are familiar with all aspects of bike riding and are experts in establishing liability when a cyclist has been injured. A cyclist is best served when represented by another cyclist who understands all aspects of bike riding.

If the other party does not offer you a fair settlement, we will take your case to trial. Many accident attorneys are inexperienced trial attorneys and force settlement rather than face trial. Hiring an experienced accident attorney can make a significant difference on how large a recovery you receive. Contact us at Bonjour, Thorman, Burns & Dahm for a free initial consultation.

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