Cycling in Connecticut is terrific exercise and a great way to get around, but as the volume of traffic on our roads continues to grow, accidents with cars can happen. Knowing the steps to take immediately after a biking accident can significantly affect your recovery and any subsequent legal or insurance challenges.
Here’s a guide to help you should a cycling accident occur:
1. Ensure Safety First
Immediately after the accident, quickly check your surroundings. If you’re mobile, try to move off the road to a safe location. Check yourself for injuries. Even if you feel ok, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as a concussion, may be harder to immediately identify. A medical evaluation by a physician also provides documentation that can be extremely helpful for insurance or legal claims.
Also, remember that adrenaline can mask pain, so be cautious.
2. Call for Help
Call 911 immediately. First responders, such as the police and emergency medical services, must document the accident, and medical help should be sought even for seemingly minor injuries. First responders can provide necessary medical attention and ensure an official report is filed.
3. Gather Information
While waiting for emergency services, get all the information you can from the driver and any witnesses. Key details include:
- The driver’s name, contact information, and insurance details, along with their vehicle make, model, and license plate number
- The names of all witnesses, along with their contact information
If you can, take photos of the scene, including:
- Your bike and the vehicle involved. If possible, take photos of the position of your bike and the vehicle where contact was made – and where you and your bike came to rest on the road.
- Any visible injuries you have suffered
- Road conditions and traffic signals or signs
4. Document the Incident
When the police arrive, make sure they take an official report and correctly document your version of what happened. Don’t admit fault or make statements about your physical condition that might later prove inaccurate, as these statements can be used against you later. You should also request a copy of the police report for your records.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance company, even if the fault for the accident seems clear or you don't think you'll need to make a claim. Never allow the insurance company to record a statement from you about the accident, and never sign anything from an insurance company without consulting a competent injury attorney.
6. Consult a Legal Professional
If there are injuries or significant damage, consulting a personal injury attorney specializing in bicycle accidents is vital. A good injury lawyer can help you deal with the insurance companies and ensure you receive appropriate and fair compensation for your injuries.
7. Maintain Records
Keep all documents related to the accident, including medical records, receipts for bike repairs, and communication with insurance companies. These records will be invaluable if disputes arise or you need to file a lawsuit.
8. Social Media
It’s common in this day and age to post personal news on social media. If you’ve been in a cycling accident, don’t post anything about your accident on social media. Insurance companies and their defense lawyers will scour your pages to try to prove that your injuries are not severe or that the accident was your fault.
Also - if you were using a cycling tracker app such as Strava, save the data from your ride, but make sure that you choose the “only you” option when you upload to your account. This will ensure that important information, such as speed and location, is preserved but not posted publicly.
9. Take Care of Yourself
Accidents can be traumatic. Be sure to give yourself the time you need for physical and emotional recovery.
Knowing the steps to take after a biking accident with a car can alleviate some of the stress and help you focus on recovery.
If you or a loved one is ever injured in a cycling accident, know that the Connecticut personal injury lawyers at RisCassi & Davis have assisted people injured in accidents for 70 years. And we have received meaningful state and national recognition for our work in this area. If you are ever in an accident of any kind and would like a free consultation with one of our Connecticut personal injury lawyers, please contact us. We now have offices in Avon, Glastonbury, Middletown, and West Hartford – and there is no obligation.