What to Do After a Bike Accident

Even when you take every safety precaution as a cyclist, you may still be the victim of an accident, leaving you to question what to do after a bike accident. How you proceed immediately after an accident with a motorist can determine how well your rights will be protected.

Your health and safety are always the number one priority. After assessing your injuries and moving out of traffic, call 911. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, get the license plate number as well as the contact and insurance information of the driver.

As expert personal injury lawyers, Grimes & Fertitta are here to walk you through the seven things you should do right after a bike accident.

7 things to do if you’ve been involved in a bike accident

1. Call the police

Whether or not you have apparent injuries at the time of the crash, the very first thing you should do if you’ve been hit by a truck or a car is call the police. You might not show symptoms of musculoskeletal or internal injuries until later when you are unable to track down the driver.

Unless you require immediate medical attention, you are legally obligated to wait for the police if anyone sustained injuries or property was damaged. Though we recommend waiting regardless. The first police report will hold the most weight and can be a helpful resource for your attorney if your case turns into a lawsuit.

While you’re waiting, avoid negotiating with the motorist. Even if they are apologetic and take responsibility for the accident, they might change their stance when it counts later on.

2. Obtain driver’s number and insurance information

Before either of you leave the scene of the accident, you’ll want to make sure you’ve exchanged information with the driver. Try to get any witnesses’ testimony and information as well. This includes:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Driver’s license number
• License plate number
• Make, year, and model of the vehicle
• Insurance policy number

Texas is a fault or tort-based state, meaning that whoever caused the crash is responsible for its consequences. If you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver in Texas, seek legal counsel immediately. Depending on the case, suing an uninsured driver can be a long and demanding process.

3. Document damages to your bike

What should I check after a bike crash? You’ll want to look for anything knocked out of alignment, bent or damaged. When checking your bike for damages, be sure to check the: 

• Bars
• Stems
• Wheels
• Tires
• Gears
• Frame
• Brakes
• Seat
• Peddles
• Levers

Take more pictures than you think you need of any damage made to your bicycle, helmet, and any other gear you had on.

4. Give the police your report

The police report carries a lot of weight when your personal injury lawyer is prosecuting your claim. Unfortunately, police officers tend to focus on the driver’s report of the incident rather than yours. Do your best to make sure your side of the story is recorded in as much detail as you can give.

If you are unable to record your report, your attorney can help you modify the report later. Just be sure that you get the accident report number from the officer.

5. Seek medical attention and document your injuries

Schedule an appointment to see your doctor even if you believe that the extent of your injuries are minor. Ask your doctor for a written evaluation and track any treatment and/or prescribed medications.

Keep a daily journal of how the accident or your injuries are affecting your life and work. It may have an impact on what types of damages you can be awarded.

6. Preserve any evidence 

This includes taking photos of the damage to your property, medical bills, written medical evaluations, proof of loss of wages, and police reports. If you can, try to preserve any damaged gear and bike parts. Do not wash your damaged clothing and avoid repairing your bike or have the repair shop document the damages.

It can also be helpful to record your report yourself for future reference. This could include writing down factors such as where, when, and how the accident happened, traffic conditions, maps and diagrams of the accident. If you are able to, try to take detailed pictures of the scene.

7. Hire a personal injury lawyer

You’re already dealing with the realities of a bicycle crash. You shouldn’t have to deal with the legal process after a bike accident too. Hiring a Houston bicycle accident lawyer like Grimes & Fertitta can help you navigate the legal process and handle communication between insurance companies, the police, or the other party.

Are you the victim of a bike accident? Contact Grimes & Fertitta ASAP to protect your rights.

Keep these seven things in mind if you ever wonder what to do after a bike accident and are looking for legal representation. The top personal injury lawyers at Grimes & Fertitta have a client-first legal approach and are ready to help you obtain the full amount of financial compensation you deserve. Give us a call at 713-804-8359 or schedule a free consultation online today.

More Helpful Articles by Grimes & Fertitta:

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• How to Make the Most of Your Free Accident Consultation
• Who is Responsible for a Slip & Fall Accident?
• What is Lowballing?: Avoid Lowball Insurance Settlement Offers
• Motorcycle Accident Guide: How to File an Injury Claim