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What to do if you had an accident?
Cycling traffic has increased almost every year since 2008 in Britain, making the issue of cycling safety more pertinent than ever.
It is a tragic truth that with increased traffic comes an increased number of accidents. In 2016, 18,477 cyclists were injured in road accidents, 3,499 of which died or suffered serious injuries.
That’s why it's critical to know what to do in the case of a cycling accident. Here are some of the things that you should bear in mind going forward.
- Make sure you’re in no further danger and get yourself to a safe location
- Call the police and an ambulance if you’re injured
- When the police arrive, explain the whole situation to the best of your ability. Take note of the police officer’s name and ask for the Police Reference Number
- Take careful notes of the whole scene. Collect as much evidence as possible at the site: registration details, insurance information, names, and photographs from every angle. Later, you can ask for CCTV footage from the council. When you report the incident to the police, you’ll also receive a reference number to keep track of
- Seek medical attention. It should go without saying, but if you are injured, even if it’s not life-threatening, you should get medical assistance to ensure everything is alright. Legally, this will also help your case, as you’ll get a clear rundown of your injuries from the doctors
- Do not get involved with arguments over fault, nor accept any money from them at the scene. Also, do not deal with their insurance company directly. These will be resolved legally after the fact
- Keep track of damaged property. For example, if your helmet or bicycle was damaged, hold onto it as evidence. They can be critical in showing the severity of the injuries suffered and the value of the damages
- Keep track of expenses. For a successful claim, you’ll need a list of expenses for your final compensation amount. The more you can keep track of physical evidence such as receipts, the better. This can include travel, repair, and more
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Find a Solicitor. Look for a firm that specialises in personal injury claims and hasdealt with cycling cases in particular
While accidents are sometimes unavoidable, it’s best to be prepared and reduce their chances as much as possible. Knowing what to do when one happens can also decrease your anxiety towards them. Headcams and dashcams are also a worthwhile investment for helping to figure out who is at fault.
It will be hard in the moment, but try to remain calm in the face of an accident. Collect your evidence, be civil to everyone involved, and feel secure in your claim for the legal system to do its job.
Unfortunately, many accidents go unreported as cyclists are ok enough to walk away simply. However, they may have been entitled to compensation if their bike is damaged or if they find out they did sustain injuries.
