Nobody wants to be involved in a collision when they are trying to enjoy their bike ride. However, that is the risk when you ride your bike around the road. Especially if you live in a big city. Drivers are supposed to respect cyclists and give them enough space to avoid issues. But some drivers get careless, and it leads to serious issues and damage. If you are a victim of a bike collision, you should know the subsequent things to do to minimize injury, avoid legal trouble and prevent further danger.
Get to safety.
After a collision, many bike riders may attempt to check on their bikes, move them or try to retrieve broken pieces of the bike. This is not a good idea because trying to move the bike may make your injuries worse. It may also compromise evidence and put you in the direct path of collision with other roadway users. Instead, you should safely remove yourself from the road, and go to a safe and nearby spot to avoid oncoming vehicles. Make sure to stay in that spot until first responders arrive.
Don’t remove your gear.
You should keep your gear on. It’s important to limit your movement and try to assess what hurts. Many riders will try to take their helmets off after a collision and this can cause severe head, spine, or neck damage if there are severe injuries that adrenaline is masking. In addition, removing gloves and boots can worsen injuries. You should try to limit movement and go to a place where you can safely rest until emergency responders arrive.
Call emergency responders.
After the collision, you should either call or ask another person to contact emergency services immediately. Emergency medical practitioners may give you medical assistance or stop any bleeding. Make sure to give them specific details of your injuries so they know how to take care of you. The police can take your statements, and the statements of the drivers involved in the collision and the witnesses as well. This can help you get evidence to use later when pursuing compensation.
Assess the current situation.
After a collision, you may experience physical and emotional shock. Physical shock is usually associated with physical injuries and symptoms include nausea and rapid breathing. On the other hand, emotional shock occurs when your initial adrenaline spikes begin to drop, and symptoms include physical trembling and emotional distress. You should try to mentally assess your physical state and what occurred so you can correctly convey the information to medical practitioners when they arrive. The information will help them to determine the severity of your injuries, which can increase your chances of getting effective and efficient treatment.
Gather evidence.
You should try to collect as much information as you can for both insurance and legal purposes. If you cannot physically do so, you should ask someone to use your phone to take pictures and videos of the scene, the vehicle or bike that collided with you, and all the roadway features. Furthermore, you should take pics of the roadway skid marks, road signs, and field of view obstruction. This will help you when it’s time to make a case for your accident. You need to be able to show the damages to a legal professional when they ask about the details.
Conclusion
If your injuries were caused by another road user or an inappropriate roadway feature, then you should consider retaining a motorcycle accident lawyer from Riddle & Brantley in North Carolina. Your legal representative will gather all evidence to strengthen your claim and handle all communication with the insurance company. Having a legal representative increases your chances of winning your claim and getting full compensation. It’s important to find a trusted legal team immediately after your accident. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to get the justice you deserve.
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