As a cyclist, you must be vigilant and follow bicycle and traffic laws when sharing the road with motorists. In the event of a crash, the steps you take at the scene can be used by an accident attorney to strengthen your personal injury case and expedite the insurance claim process. To get life back to normal as soon as possible, don’t forget to perform these steps after a bicycle accident. 

3 Tasks to Perform Following a Bicycle Crash

1. Check for Injuries & Call for Help

After you make contact with a car, get out of the road and sit down. Check legs and arms for cuts, bruises, and broken bones. A crack in your helmet—along with dizziness, confusion, a headache, and blurred vision—could be signs of a concussion.

As you don’t know the extent of your injuries, trying to ride the bike or walk to your destination could be dangerous. Call emergency assistance or a friend or relative to take you to the hospital for an examination.    

2. Take Notes

Before you go to the hospital, document everything you can about the scene of the crash. This includes the names and contact information of the motorists involved and the details of their insurance providers. You should also get names, phone numbers, and statements of anyone who witnessed the collision.

It’s a good idea to call the police to the scene, too, as an officer will outline what happened and get your version of events in an official report. Take pictures of your injuries, road conditions, and damage to the bicycle and cars, too. Along with the medical and police reports, an accident attorney can use the photos and witness statements as evidence in court.

3. Give Yourself Time to Recover

Even if you are an avid cyclist, a bike accident is a frightening event. In addition to letting physical injuries have time to heal, also give yourself time to recover emotionally.

Don’t get back on the bike until you have approval from your physician and feel mentally ready. When you rush the recovery process, the judge and jury could question the severity of the crash, too. This means an accident attorney would have to defend your actions in court.

If you were in a bicycle crash, contact the accident attorneys at Cronin Skilton & Skilton, P.L.L.C. The attorneys are knowledgeable in personal injury law and are committed to helping cyclists in Iowa’s Chickasaw and Floyd counties get compensation for their pain and suffering. Meet the counselors online and call (641) 435-2462 to reach the Nashua office for legal assistance. Dial (641) 228-3318 for the Charles City branch.