Bicyclists typically take every precaution to avoid being struck by cars on the road, but even so, accidents are all too common. If you regularly ride a bicycle, then you must know what to do in case of an accident, because this increases your chances of getting fair compensation for your injuries. Here are some key tips on how to deal with this difficult situation.

Aftermath

In the immediate aftermath of the accident, do not admit any fault or attempt to negotiate with the driver of the vehicle. If the driver has not called the police, then call them yourself or ask a bystander to call them. Never leave the scene of an accident thinking that you are alright or that your injuries are minor. Some injuries may not present themselves immediately.

Do not remove your bike from the scene. You want the police to see it, and also you want to take photos of the bike to show how it has been damaged by the car or truck. Have someone pick up the bike and take it to your home. Do not have the bike repaired. It might be needed as evidence later.

Obtain the phone number of the driver and also ask any witnesses to the accident for their numbers. When the police arrive, make certain that you give them the details of what happened. Also, be sure they interview the witnesses. Go to a hospital for treatment, even if you think your injuries are minor. They might be more serious than you realize at the time. Also, you want the hospital to create a medical record of your injuries that you can present to an insurance company or judge at a later date.

Negligence

The concept of negligence is a crucial part of any personal injury case. To win your case, you will need to prove negligence on the part of the other driver. This means that carelessness or recklessness on the part of the driver resulted in your injuries.

A critical point to keep in mind is that if the driver can show that you were negligent in some way, this could harm your case. For example, if you ran through a stop sign before being hit and this contributed to the accident, this could reduce or eliminate your damages award. Getting proper compensation for a bicycle accident is not something you want to deal with on your own. If an accident occurs, consult with a personal injury law office like Radano & Lide as soon as possible.