Even at the best of times, riding a bicycle on the freeway is a risk. No matter how careful you are, the chances are that a careless driver might get you involved in an accident. In any case, cars usually outnumber bicycles on most roads and some of these drivers do not care about the rights of bicycle riders like you. In case a motorist knocks you down, you ought to know what to do after a bicycle accident. Below are some things you should know (among many other things, that is).
Wait for the Police
After an accident, you should not be in a hurry to leave the scene of the crash. The smart move is to wait for the police to arrive. This way, you make your statement and ensure the errant driver is brought to book. Even if you don’t have any injuries, you should stay on the scene with the other y and wait for the police to arrive. This move ensures that the offender has no chance to evade justice or destroy evidence.
Don’t Negotiate with the Other Party
One thing you should never do after an accident is negotiate with the other party. The driver on the wrong side of the law may want to reach a fast out-of-court settlement with you. You should refuse this settlement on the spot because it is not likely to be in your best interest. If you want to negotiate with the other party, contact your lawyer and this legal expert will negotiate on your behalf.
Document the Accident
After an accident, you need to have documentary and even pictorial evidence of the accident scene. In this case, the right thing to do is to get the testimony of honest witnesses on the spot. Write down these statements and keep them safe. In addition, you should record the scene of the accident with your smart phone. This way, you have electronic evidence in case you need to use this evidence in court.
Seek Medical Attention
If you were injured in the accident, you should seek medical attention and document your injuries. Even if you have the impression that you were not injured, it makes sense to have a doctor check you out to rule out internal bleeding or any other eventualities. Get receipts of all the money you spend on treatment because you need these things when you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Never Negotiate with Insurance Companies
After an accident, you should not negotiate with insurance companies and their representatives. Talk your attorney and give this expert a true picture of what happened before and during the accident. In case the insurance company officials want to negotiate with you, just refer them to your lawyer and avoid any form of written communication with them.
Final Word
After a bicycle accident, you should not take anything for granted. Get in touch with a competent and experienced accident lawyer, like this bicycle accident lawyer NYC option. Do the right things and there will be no regrets.