Injuries related to cycling are on the rise. Research has revealed that cycling deaths doubled in March to April 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019, while in London alone, there was a 26 percent increase in the number of cycling casualties in 2019 as compared to 2018.
It has, therefore, never been more important to understand how to react should you end up being involved in a cycling accident. In this blog we’ll explain what to do in the immediate aftermath, how to look after yourself in the short-term, and what actions can benefit you in the long-term.
Key steps
1. Take care of yourself
This seems like an obvious thing to say, but in the wake of a crash, it can be very easy to forget the basics. You need to ensure that you get yourself to as safe a position as possible, do your best to assess any injuries you may have sustained, and refrain from overextending yourself. Don’t get back on the bike – call an ambulance and get yourself checked out by medical professionals.
2. Gather all the necessary information
Most vehicle drivers will be very willing to share insurance information, and it is vital that you gather as much as you can. Get the registration number, the phone number and email address of the driver, their address, and also additional information, such as the car’s colour and condition. It is also certainly worth getting information and testimony from any witnesses.
3. Take photos
Take photos of the area around where the incident took place, of your bike, of any injuries you have incurred, and also of the vehicle and the driver. Of course, some accidents may not have involved a secondary party – you could have fallen victim to a pothole, for example – but it is still important to have photographic evidence that will support any claim you make.
4. Report the incident
If your accident involved a second party, you should report it to the police, if only to ensure there is a record of it having taken place. If the incident was, for example, due to a pothole, then report everything to the council.
5. If injuries persist, go to a GP
This seems like another obvious point, but there is nothing to be gained by trying to power through if you are injured. Go to a GP, and that way you will be more aware of your physical condition, and you will also have a medical record that can benefit any subsequent claim.
6. Get in touch with a solicitor
Even if you do not believe that there is a criminal case to be answered, it is absolutely worth your time getting in touch with a solicitor that specialises in cycling collisions as you may well be able to open a civil case.
If you have recently been involved in a cycling collision, or simply want to know more about what such a case is liable to look like, get in touch with https://osborneslaw.com/ today.
