10 Steps to Take After Your Bicycle Accident
Posted Friday, May 8, 2020 by Chris Thayer
Bicycles are a common form of transportation in the Seattle area, and with more and more people becoming concerned about the environment, this form of transportation continues to grow. However, when a motorist and a bicyclist are involved in an accident, the injuries suffered can be catastrophic or even fatal. The city of Seattle has several regulations and laws regarding the rules of the road for motorists and bicyclists, however, accidents still happen. If you were involved in an accident as a bicyclist, following these 10 steps will help ensure your health and legal rights are preserved.
- Attempt to Remove Yourself from the Roadway: If you are able to physically move from the roadway, then you should do so to prevent further injuries or accidents from other motorists or bicyclists. Accidents that occur following a primary accident are called secondary accidents and are common and can cause additional injury and damage.
- **Contact 911: If you suffered any injuries or damage to your bicycle, you should immediately contact 911. Make sure to tell the police officer everything that happened correctly, and avoid placing blame or taking the blame for the accident. Simply give the facts of the accident. Request information regarding how you will be able to obtain a police report at a later time.
- Police Accident Report: Even if you make the decision not to call 911, you should at least call the police. This will allow the police to come to the scene and obtain all of the information necessary and provide a basis for any future claim for compensation for your injuries that you wish to make.
- Check Your Helmet: If any cracks appear on your helmet, you should replace it. Cracks on a helmet after an accident show that there was a violent impact, and you should assume that you have a concussion (even a mild one) and seek immediate medical attention.
- Exchange Information with Witnesses and the Driver: Make sure to exchange contact information with not only the driver of the motor vehicle but also any witnesses who can provide a first-hand account of the accident.
- Take Photographs: If it is possible for you to take photographs at the scene of the accident, it may be helpful later in your case. For example, see if any cameras on traffic lights or nearby businesses exist. Take your own photographs of the scene of the accident, the damage to your bicycle and the other vehicle, any injuries you suffered, the road conditions, the weather, etc.
- Make a Full Assessment: Make a full assessment of both your bicycle and yourself. If your bicycle suffered any damage, take it to a professional bike shop so that you can have a record of the damage that occurred as documentation for a later time. Additionally, you should make an assessment regarding any of your own personal injuries.
- Seek Medical Attention: Whether or not an ambulance arrived at the scene of the accident, you need to make sure to seek immediate medical attention. Certain injuries do not present themselves until hours or days following an accident, and these can be serious or even life-threatening.
- Document Everything: Make sure to keep a file of all of your medical bills, lost wages, and a diary of your pain and suffering and activities that you are no longer able to enjoy due to your injuries.
*Contact an Attorney*If you suffered any injuries related to an accident involving a vehicle as a bicyclist, you are likely dealing with large medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney familiar at the Pivotal Law Group at 206-340-2008. We proudly serve the Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, and Issaquah areas.