No matter how careful you are while riding a bicycle in San Antonio, you could end up the injured victim of an accident. Careless and reckless drivers in San Antonio put cyclists at risk every day. It is important to know what to do after a bicycle accident, as this can help you protect your rights. Use the following checklist.
Check for Injuries
Remain where you are and check yourself for injuries. Check for pain, swelling or bleeding. Restrict your movements until you can verify that you do not have a spinal cord injury. If you feel pain or immobility in your back, numbness or tingling in your limbs, or nothing at all in parts of your body, try not to move until paramedics arrive. You may have a spinal cord injury that could be exacerbated if moved the wrong way.
Get to a Safe Location
If you can and it is safe to do so, move yourself and your disabled bicycle out of the way of traffic. Go to a safe place on the side of the road or a sidewalk while you wait for the police to arrive.
Call the Police
Use your cell phone to call the police or ask someone at the scene of the crash to call the police for you. You should always call the police after a bicycle accident in Texas, as they can help you gather evidence and information and give you an official police accident report to use during your insurance claim. Furthermore, it is a legal requirement to report an accident to the police in Texas if it causes injuries, death or property damage of at least $1,000.
Do Not Admit Fault
Even if you think you might have caused or contributed to the bicycle accident, do not admit fault when talking to the other driver, the police or an insurance company. Admitting fault could immediately bar you from financial recovery, even if you were not the sole contributor to the accident. Instead, wait for an insurance company to investigate the crash and determine fault for you.
Exchange Information With the Driver
If the driver that struck you stopped, write down his or her name, address, phone number and insurance information. You should also write down a description of the vehicle, its registration number and license plate number. If the bicycle accident was a hit-and-run, write down what you can remember, such as the make, model or color of the vehicle to help with a police investigation.
Talk to Eyewitnesses
If anyone at the scene witnessed the bicycle accident, ask if they are willing to give you a signed statement. If so, write down their names and phone numbers. The police can also help you gather information and statements from eyewitnesses.
Go to a Hospital
Once you are cleared to leave the scene of the bike accident, go directly to a hospital in San Antonio. Immediate medical care is important for your physical recovery. It also shows an insurance company that you did what you could to mitigate your losses.
Call the Driver’s Insurance Company
Contact the insurance provider of the driver that struck you to file an initial claim. Texas is a fault state, meaning that you will file your insurance claim with the carrier of the at-fault driver. Be careful when speaking to a claims adjuster, however, as this person does not want what is best for you. Do not agree to give a recorded statement, do not admit fault and do not sign anything from the insurance company until speaking to an attorney.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney in San Antonio
Before you go any further with the recovery process, consult with a bicycle accident attorney in San Antonio for assistance and legal advice. You can trust a lawyer to handle the legal side of your case while you focus on healing from your bicycle accident injuries.