It’s a well-known fact that many people love riding bicycles. Whether it be for work, for leisure, or just to get from one place to another, bikes are an affordable and efficient way of getting around. That being said, accidents do happen and there is always the chance that your bike will need some maintenance at some point in time. It is important to know how to properly handle any situation you might encounter when on a bicycle so we have compiled this guide with tips and tricks on how best to handle such incidents as they occur. Read on below as we go over what you should do if you find yourself in a bicycle accident.
1) Get Medical Attention
While your injuries may not seem so bad to you at first, it is important that you go see a doctor as soon as possible if you have been injured. This is because sometimes our bodies can mask the full extent of an injury and if this is the case, it can be difficult to determine how severe your injuries are without proper medical attention. The best thing you can do is head straight to an emergency room or urgent care center so the medical staff can look you over and then release you if all is well.
2) Contact Your Lawyer
While you might not think you need a lawyer at this point, it is actually very important that you contact one. A bicycle accident attorney will be able to provide further legal guidance and can help determine if the other party in the incident was in any way responsible. If they were, then your lawyer will handle things from there and ensure that everything gets taken care of.
3) Take Pictures Of The Incident Scene
With many accidents, there are usually physical signs that can be seen after the fact. This is why it is important to take pictures of the accident scene before anything has been moved or repaired. If you need help taking these photos yourself, then feel free to ask your lawyer to help you out. It would be also good if you or your lawyer could find any potential witnesses because their testimony will prove to be helpful in the court of law.
4) Keep Track Of All Expenses Incurred
Accidents are expensive no matter what the context may be and bicycle accidents are no different. If you have lost income because of the accident, then you will need to provide documentation for this as well as anything else that might have occurred because of it. This includes medical expenses, repairs to your bike, and any other costs that come up because of the incident. Also, keep track of the date and time of your accident because this will be useful when it comes to determining who is liable for the costs. It might also be a good idea to keep a journal of your recovery process as this will be useful to you in the future.
5) Listen To Your Lawyer’s Advice
Your lawyer will be able to determine if the other party in the incident is liable for your expenses and will guide you through this process. Take their advice to heart because they are supposed to know these things. This means that if they feel like you should wait before proceeding, then maybe it’s best that you do just that. Sometimes the decision to wait might be the best way to handle things if that’s what your lawyer thinks.
6) Take Some Time To Recover
The best thing that you can do after an injury is to take some time off to recover. The more time you take off, the better it will be for your overall health and productivity. This means that if you need to take a few days off from work or school, then don’t hesitate to do just that. Also, consider talking to a professional for mental health if you think a conversation like that can be helpful. They can help you get through the experience and come out on top. Some people also find relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation helpful.
In this article, we have provided a few tips for what you should do if you find yourself in an accident and how to properly handle getting injured while riding a bicycle. We hope that these suggestions will help those of us who enjoy cycling as well as any other recreational cyclists. When it comes to accidents involving bikes, the first thing that we recommend is going see your doctor or emergency room so they can look over any injuries sustained. Also, make sure to contact your lawyer and listen to his/her advice because they’re only trying to help you.