Being hurt in a wreck while riding your bicycle can be an intensely stressful experience, especially if the crash involves a high-speed collision with a motor vehicle operated by a reckless or careless driver. It is crucial to be calm and proactive in the immediate aftermath of this kind of incident, as what you do in those moments—as well as in the days and weeks to come—may have a huge impact on the rest of your life.
Knowing what to do after a bicycle accident in Southfield is not something that comes naturally to anyone. It can be helpful to know in advance what you should be thinking about in this scenario. With that in mind, here is a brief overview of actions to take after a bike wreck according to our experienced bicycle injury lawyers at Thurswell Law.
Make Sure You and Others Are Out of Immediate Danger
Your number-one priority after any kind of serious accident, including one that occurs while you are on your bike, should be making sure that neither you nor anyone else involved are at imminent risk of harm. If you do need immediate medical attention for a life-threatening injury following a Southfield bike wreck, the only thing you should focus on doing is getting the care you need at a hospital emergency room. Our attorneys could help handle the rest of the actions mentioned here later if needed.
Get Contact Information From Everyone Involved
After you have moved out of the flow of traffic and contacted Southfield emergency medical services for yourself and anyone else in need of them, you should do your best to get contact and insurance information from everyone directly involved in your bicycle accident. If possible, it could also be helpful to get contact details from people who witnessed the incident as it happened but were not directly involved in it, as they may be able to make court-admissible statements about how the crash played out and who was to blame for it.
Take Photos of the Accident Scene
If possible, something else you should try to do following a bike crash in Southfield is take pictures of the scene with your phone or any other easily accessible camera. In particular, you should focus on damage to your bicycle and other vehicles involved, nearby traffic patterns and signals, and anything that might have impeded visibility for someone involved in the incident.
See a Doctor and Follow Their Instructions
Finally, even if you do not need emergency care for an obvious injury, you should still schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or visit an urgent care clinic as soon as possible after a Southfield bike wreck. In addition to ensuring that more subtle injuries are diagnosed and properly treated if necessary, this initial visit will produce crucial documentation about how you have been hurt and what consequences those injuries will likely have.
Contact Our Southfield Attorneys To Learn More About What To Do Following a Bicycle Crash
In the minutes following a serious bike wreck caused by someone else’s negligence, it can be hard for anyone to keep calm and act with their long-term best interests in mind. However, by taking just a few simple actions such as the ones listed above, you could dramatically improve your chances of achieving a favorable outcome from any civil lawsuit or settlement demand you pursue over your crash-related injuries.
If you have further questions about what to do after a bicycle accident in Southfield, our lawyers could answer them during a confidential consultation. Call us today to learn how our experience gets results for people dealing with situations like yours. Our attorneys at Thurswell Law could explain your rights and determine if you have a case.