As Miami begins to open back up, more and more residents will be driving. For cyclists who have taken advantage of the city’s relatively calm streets over the past few months, that means one thing: the risk of getting into a bike accident is going to increase.
By following Miami’s cycling laws and maintaining spatial awareness, cyclists can avoid many accidents. However, not all accidents are avoidable, especially if the driver is negligent when behind the wheel.
Here’s what you should do if you are involved in an accident with a car while riding your bicycle.
Get Help from Emergency Services
The first thing you should do after any accident is call 911. At the very least, you want to make sure that you can file a report with the police. In car accidents involving a bicycle, however, the likelihood of serious injury is high.
Once you get checked out by EMS to make sure that you don’t have any life-threatening injuries, make sure to get a copy of the police report. Make sure that the police have the driver’s information before he is allowed to leave.
Get Contact Info for Witnesses
If possible, get the names and contact information of any witnesses to the bike accident. If injury prevents you from gathering witness info, ask someone to do it for you. You never know when you are going to need someone else to back up your version of what happened in the accident, so try to find as many witnesses as possible. In some instances, the at-fault driver’s story will sound nothing like yours. The driver might say one thing to you and another to the police.
Do Not Talk to the Driver
Which brings me to my next point—don’t talk to anyone in the car that hit you. Many people think that it is necessary to exchange information with the other driver in an accident, but that’s actually a job for the police. Not only does speaking to the other party put you at potential risk of violence stemming from road rage, it can also jeopardize your case.
If you say anything to the other party, the insurance company can and will use what you say to avoid paying your claim.
Consult with a Bike Accident Attorney Before Making a Claim
Finally, it’s critical that you get help from an attorney who has experience handling auto vs. bike accidents. You have probably never had to go through the process of making a claim for cycling injuries against a driver’s insurance before, so having someone there to guide you will make the process easier and improve your chances of full compensation. If necessary, an attorney can help you prepare for litigation.
If you need to talk to someone about your case, get in touch with us today.
Are you ready to pursue your case? Contact us today and set up an appointment to speak to an attorney. Call us at 1-800-24-7-CRASH or write to us at [email protected].
