Bicycling is increasingly popular today around Colorado and the U.S. for several reasons – we’re more health conscious and gas prices are unpredictable at best. Communities around Denver and the country are encouraging more people to bike to work to reduce traffic congestion.
None of this matters though if you’re involved in an accident while riding your bike.
But what you do immediately following an accident heavily influences the outcome of any potential lawsuit against the driver or whatever caused your wreck if you were not at fault.
First and foremost, follow all safety precautions (i.e. wear your helmet) and laws when riding your bike.
In the event you are in a collision while riding your bike, take the following steps if you are physically able.
1. Call the police and wait for their arrival, no matter if you’re injured or not
Filing a police report ensures the proper documentation of what happened is on the record with the police. They may ticket the driver, which may be useful in settling with the driver’s insurance company later on.
2. Obtain contact information from driver and witnesses
If you cannot get this information yourself, ask a witness or by-stander to do it for you. Don’t assume all of the driver’s information – insurance, vehicle registration, driver’s license and contact information – will be in the police report.
3. Document, document, document!
Take mental notes and write down as soon as you can everything that happened and how. Seek medical attention for any injuries and keep meticulous records. Keep journal records of any symptoms resulting from the wreck.
4. Preserve evidence
Do not fix your bike. Keep everything in the same state as it was before the accident and only turn it over to an attorney.
Learn more about what you should do after any accident by reading Help your Lawyer Help You from your Denver personal injury attorneys at the Babcock Law Firm, LLC.