While riding a bike on a daily basis can be healthy and fulfilling, a tiny mistake can cause a collision and turn your world upside down. Along with staying safe on the bike lane and road, you should also learn about your rights as a cyclist to deal with an unfair situation. In this dedicated guide, you will learn everything about bicycle collisions and your rights in case of an unfortunate event.
Steps to Take if you Get into an Accident
If you find yourself in an accident that was caused by someone else, you should take these steps.
1. Take Photos for Evidence
If you are in a condition that allows you to take photos immediately after the collision, gather as much evidence as you can as it will help you make a claim and get compensation. Whether it’s a blockage on the road or an unruly collision caused due to bad driving, take photos that explain the situation and prove that you are not at fault. At the same time, take details of the driver and note the car number.
2. Get Yourself Checked and Gather the Receipts
Get immediate medical assistance to treat your injuries and consult a medical practitioner to diagnose any internal damage. Record the visits to your GP and gather the medical bills to strengthen your case. If you are facing any medical issues or symptoms even after getting treated, note them down. You can also keep a record of your employer’s correspondence or bills related to the bike repair.
3. File a Claim
If someone else was responsible for causing the collision, you can file a claim and get your compensation from the individual. In some cases, poorly constructed roads or other circumstances can also be responsible for your accident. If it was clearly not your fault, you can file a claim against the entity and fight your case to get compensation. As suggested by the competent attorneys at BestBicycleAccidentLawyer.com, you should take help from a professional to strengthen your case. Do not forget to contact your insurance company if you have appointed one for your medical or on-road coverage.
Accident During an Event
If you meet with a cycling accident during an event that was poorly organized, you can file a claim against the event manager, organizer, or owner. A lack of supervision that led to the accident can also be one of the reasons that led to your injuries. In such cases, you are eligible to receive compensation. Some other causes of collisions or unfortunate events during accidents include invisibility or absence of significant signage, improper road layout, and failure to instruct participants or provide proper safety guidelines. Since the organizer of the event or sportive is responsible for checking the safety of the road and assuring that there are no blockages ahead, any accident occurring within the region is solely their responsibility.
Even though not many cyclists agree to file a claim against the organizer due to the rarity of such situations, it is not impossible or wrong. As a victim, you have the right to get fair compensation given you followed all rules with precision and took adequate safety measures. As mentioned, you will have to gather photos and evidence to prove that the lack of organizational aspects and safety measures led to your injuries.
Bicycle and Car Collision
If the person driving the car was not following the traffic or road rules that resulted in a collision, you can seek compensation. To win the case, the cyclist must prove that they were within their limitations and following rules.
Your case can get stronger if the person responsible for the collision is uninsured. As mentioned, make sure that you have enough evidence to prove your case and make it stronger. You can also gather CCTV footage of the road and the spot on which the accident took place. Furthermore, catching the driver in a ‘hit-and-run’ case can be even more difficult, which is why you must take the necessary measures to track the driver.
Making a Claim
Since most attorneys do not charge any fee unless you win the case, you can stay assured of not facing a financial loss when hiring them. When supervising any bicycle claim case, every lawyer looks into two main aspects, which are the main cause of the collision and the person liable for the injuries and damage. Furthermore, when digging deeper, they will also investigate the driver and their level of negligence and scrutinize the vehicle. They may also look into the road maintenance factor up to a certain degree.
By learning about these rights and claims, you can easily get justice and receive fair compensation. Since some injuries can be life-threatening, you must ensure that you are getting what you deserve. As mentioned, you can also take help from a lawyer to increase your chances of winning the case.
