More than 18,000 cyclists are killed or seriously injured each year in a biking accident. Approximately 16,200 of them were over the age of 18. There were approximately 14,500 of them were male. The most dangerous hours to ride are between 8 AM and 9 AM and between 3 PM and 6 PM. If you are a victim of a cycling accident, then there are several things that you should do immediately.
Call an Ambulance
Even if you do not think that you were seriously hurt in the accident, you still need to get checked out. After all, the impact of a car and a bike can cause serious internal injuries that you may not be aware of initially. You can also be in shock, so you are unaware that you have been injured. Be safe and call an ambulance to the scene.
Get Driver’s Information
You may also want to call the police, but if they choose to not respond, then make sure to get the driver’s information. You need their name, address and a phone number. You also need the name and policy number of their insurance company. This allows you to follow up after you determine the damages that were done.
Seek an Expert Opinion at a Bike Shop
You may be tempted to fix your bike yourself if the damage seems minor. Before you do, however, take your bicycle to a bike shop. Seeking an expert’s opinion on the damages that was done can help you win your case if you have to take the driver to court. Even if you do not, it can help you know if you are getting a fair offer from the driver’s insurance company.
Contact a Lawyer
You need to call a lawyer to help you deal with the other driver and their insurance company. Most insurance companies have great lawyers that work for them all the time. You also should have an outstanding lawyer, like Ringsmuth Wuori, on your side. They can make sure that you are being treated fairly, and they can help get the expert testimony that you will need to win your case. Often times, a lawyer can persuade a driver or insurance company that you are in the right without going to court.
The most important thing that you can do when you are hit on your bike is not to panic. Seek medical help as soon as possible. Remember that your bike can be repaired or replaced, so take care of yourself first.
Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake.
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