A collision with a car is the greatest fear most people have about cycling, and it actually prevents many people from picking up a helmet and hitting the road. Sadly, many road bicycle accidents involve children but it is not uncommon for adults to be seriously injured or even die during such a collision.
As with most road accidents, here in Portland as in the rest of the country, the collision is usually caused as a result of somebody’s negligence. The accident could have been the fault of the driver, the cyclist, or both, although most collisions between cyclists and motorists are due to the driver’s negligence.
There are also other causes of bicycle accidents, including the poor condition of the road or trail, and sometimes cyclist’s crash into other cyclists and pedestrians. However, the accident was caused it is almost always the result of somebody’s negligence.
When a cyclist is injured due to somebody else’s negligence, they have a legal right to be compensated for their injuries. This is applicable even if the cyclist may be partially responsible for causing the collision. A good personal injury attorney would be able to advise any injured cyclist of their right to compensation and the legal steps required to obtain it.
Four Tips after Car v. Bicycle Accident
If you have recently been involved in a road accident or would like some advice, here are some helpful tips on what to do:
1: Contact the police immediately:
Every police department has its own policy on how they respond to bicycle accidents and they will normally respond to a crash depending on the level of injury. Nevertheless, notifying the police is always a must as you will require the official report as evidence for your claim. The police will also want to conduct their own investigation to determine if any charges should be brought against the driver if charges are laid this will help bolster your claim.
2: Don’t assume anything after the accident:
Some people don’t realize that they have been injured until several hours after the accident. In the heat of the moment it’s easy to brush off any minor injuries – but never assume that you won’t need medical attention. If the police do respond to the accident, make sure you collect the driver’s insurance information to help you to pursue a claim once any injury later develops.
3: Never try and make a deal at the accident:
Unfortunately, some people try to negotiate a settlement at the scene of the accident. This is never a good idea as you have no idea what the ramifications of the accident will be. There could be serious injuries, invalid insurance details, fake licenses and a number of other scenarios impossible to predict. Focus on what you need and don’t be swayed into making a deal under pressure.
4. Gather all evidence:
It can be hard to think clearly after an accident, but it is vital that you collect every piece of information available to you. Don’t leave the scene without the driver’s details, their insurance information, and lots of photos that show your damaged bicycle and location.
At Dwyer Williams Cherkoss Attorneys, P.C., we have years of experience handling personal injury cases and want to ensure that you are compensated for any and all losses and that those who are at fault are held accountable.
If you have been involved in a car vs. bicycle accident we welcome your call today at (541) 617-0555 to arrange an initial consultation with one of our very skilled and proficient personal injury attorneys.