Because bicyclists have few protections in accidents with motor vehicles, the injuries that victims sustain tend to be incredibly catastrophic. In 2018 alone, approximately 857 bicyclists lost their lives in bicycle accidents within the United States. When these accidents occur, there is always a chance that injuries will result. It is important for victims to know what to do after a bicycle accident occurs.

After a Florida Bicycle Accident 

Call Police: If you have received injuries due to being hit by a motorist in a bicycle accident, it is essential that you call the police to the scene of your accident so that everything can be documented. The police report will be one of the most important aspects that you have following your accident and you should never move forward without one. Many people will not realize that they are injured right off the bat but will instead notice that they have injuries later when the adrenaline has worn off. With the help of a police report, everything will be documented to the courts as it pertains to your accident and the officer’s opinion.

Along with this, you want to ensure that you get your version of events on the accident report. Officers will take a statement from those involved in the collision. If you received severe injuries and you are taken to the hospital, you will be able to speak with police later on about how your accident occurred so that they can get your point of view.

Obtain Contact Information: It is also important that you receive the name and contact information from the other driver, passengers, and anyone who may have witnessed the full accident. These include obtaining aspects like addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information. The police report might not include all of this information and you want to get ahold of witnesses who might be helpful in your claim. 

Document Everything: You need to make sure that you also document everything pertaining to your accident, as you never know what could be beneficial to your claim when you file it. This means writing down when and where the accident took place, any weather conditions, and anything that you noticed in the moments before or after the collision took place.

It is also important to receive medical treatment so that you can have your injuries documented. This not only helps you get working on the road to recovery but could also make or break your claim. If the insurance company sees that you did not receive medical care following your accident, they might not take it as seriously as it was. You want to preserve as much evidence as possible to use in your claim.

Speaking with a Legal Professional After an Accident

Lastly, one of the most crucial steps in any accident case is speaking with a legal professional who has experience in these cases and can assist you every step of the way as you navigate the legal system. Our Florida accident attorneys at Sheftall & Associates have assisted numerous victims with their personal injury claims after an accident that is not their fault, including bicyclists who were severely harmed. We understand that you may be facing a variety of challenges and are here for you every step of the way. Please contact a bicycle accident attorney in Florida for assistance with your claim at (904) 575-9026.