Many people find biking convenient and eco-friendly. Unfortunately, many motorists don’t wish to share the road with cyclists. As a result, over 130,000 cycling accidents occur every year, thousands of which are fatal.
When a cyclist suffers a car accident, it’s often important to act fast. Here are four things to do immediately after a cycling accident:
1. Call the police
It’s important to call the police and state that you were in an accident. The police should then arrive at the scene of the accident and make a report. The report will be useful for your insurance company to evaluate damages and the responsible party. The report may also be used if you need to take additional measures when seeking compensation.
2. Get a medical evaluation
An ambulance should arrive at the scene of the accident and provide some assistance in patching up your injuries. They should also make an additional accident report. The accident report could be used to determine what compensation you would deserve for your injuries.
Even if the accident was minor, you may wish to seek medical attention. Many people who skip medical evaluations immediately after the accident may suffer symptoms of serious injuries shortly after the accident. Without a medical evaluation, people have not been able to get the compensation they deserve.
3. Take pictures
It may help to take pictures of the accident. These pictures could be useful if the motorist tries to deny the seriousness of the accident. You may want to take pictures of any injuries, the damage done to your bike and any damages the motorist sustained.
4. Understand your legal rights
When seeking compensation, it can help to understand your legal rights. You can ask for compensation from the at-fault party for your lost wages, your pain and suffering, the damage to your property, your medical bills and more.