What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

Bicycling is fun, good exercise and a great way to get around, but it can also be dangerous. Negligent drivers, poor weather conditions and hazardous road defects can lead to accidents, which in turn can result in serious and often deadly injuries because bicyclists have little to no protection from harm.

If you are in an accident while biking, there are a number of actions you should take to attend to your health and to preserve evidence that may be useful in a claim for monetary compensation. The following actions are the most important:

1. Seek medical attention immediately — If you suffer any injury, you should immediately seek medical help. You may need to go to the emergency room and receive various medical services there. You should also see a doctor and follow his or her recommendations about future care. This protects your health but also helps show you took proper actions to prevent further harm.
2. Call law enforcement — You should call the police from the accident scene immediately. The responding law enforcement officer can conduct an initial investigation and can write a report that will be useful in a subsequent claim for damages.
3. Gather information — You should obtain all available information from the parties involved in the accident. This includes driver’s license information, insurance information and contact information such as names, addresses, emails and phone numbers. You should also obtain contact information from any witnesses to the accident.
4. Take photographs and notes — As soon as possible, you should take photographs of any injuries or property damage sustained and also of the accident scene. You should also take notes of what happened while the recollection is still fresh in your mind. After a significant trauma like a bike accident, you may find it difficult to remember important details later on. Taking notes now may help create helpful proof for your case.
5. Consult a bicycle accident attorney — Personal injury cases are complex and require in-depth knowledge of the law and civil procedure. You should not face this difficult challenge alone. Our bicycle accident lawyers have the experience and skill to represent you and to seek damages on your behalf.

Family members of a rider who was killed in a bicycle accident can often recover compensation for the losses they have suffered as a result.

If you have been injured or have lost a family member in a bicycle accident in southern California, reach out to Pulverman & Pulverman, LLP in Santa Barbara for help with a claim for damages. Contact us online or call 805-962-0397 for a free consultation.