What to Do at the Scene of a Bike Accident

After a bike accident, it’s important that you know what to do at the scene. Decisions you make could impact future legal actions, including the ability to receive compensation. To learn more about protecting your rights, contact Colorado injury attorneys to discuss your case.

Bike safety is a real concern. Unfortunately, other motorists don’t always respect the bicyclist’s right to the road. Tragically, collisions with a bike oftentimes result in severe or even fatal injuries.

What to Do at the Scene of a Bike Accident

Check to see if you or others require emergency medical attention. Sometimes victims can be treated right at the scene but other times they must be transported by ambulance.

If immediate medical care isn’t required, the first call should be to the police. While you are waiting it’s important you don’t discuss who is to blame for the bike accident. Let the responding officer sort out the details of what happened.

Be honest with the police, but only discuss the facts. When speaking with another driver at the scene, never imply, or outright take, responsibility for the accident. Comments such as, “I might have swerved too far out” or even “I’m sorry” can be used against you.

Another thing you should never say is that you aren’t hurt or any injuries you do have aren’t so bad. What appears to be a minor injury now can later turn out to be much worse than what you thought, so let a doctor evaluate its severity.

Once the police arrive, give a thorough and detailed statement on what happened. Prior to the bike accident, did you notice anything, such as the driver using a cell phone? Explain the direction you were traveling, maneuvers you were making and what happened at the time of impact. The more information you can provide, the better.

If there were witnesses to the crash, ask for names and phone numbers. Their statements could help in establishing fault. Preserving evidence at the scene is also important.

Take pictures of:

• your bike;
• any other damaged vehicles;
• visible injuries; and
• a shot of the entire accident scene.

If there are factors that contributed to the accident, such as a wet pavement, get pictures of that as well. A variety of shots and angles may help in building a case.

What you do at the scene of a bike accident can make a significant difference later on if you decide to file a claim against another party. You may want to seek legal advice afterward, to learn what your next step should be.

Seeking Help from Colorado Injury Attorneys

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2010 there were about 52,000 bicyclists injured in a motor vehicle crash and 618 who lost their lives. In Colorado, contact injury attorney D.J. Banovitz at 303-300-5060 if you were injured. He is also an avid bicyclist who understands the importance of bike safety who can provide legal counsel if you were seriously injured in a bike accident.