What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident in NYC?

There are numerous steps that you should take following a bicycle accident in NYC. If you or others are hurt, call 911 immediately for emergency services. No matter what the nature and extent of your injuries are, you should always seek medical care and follow the instructions of your doctor.

One of the most important steps after a bike crash is talking to a New York City bicycle accident lawyer. The right lawyer can evaluate your case and advise you if you have a strong claim for damages. Let the team of Douglas & London help you pursue fair compensation after your bike accident. All initial consultations are free, and you never owe us any attorney fees unless we recover money on your behalf.

Remove yourself from danger

Just because your bicycle collision is over does not mean the danger has subsided. Even if you are hurt, there are circumstances that could lead to additional injuries if you do not try to remove yourself from harm’s way.

The most important step to removing yourself from danger is getting out of the roadway and away from oncoming traffic. This could prevent you and your rescuers from facing the risk of additional injuries. If you are too injured to move, make your best effort to remain visible to nearby traffic.

Seek medical care

If you are injured, do not delay in seeking medical care for your injuries. This is true for severe injuries, but it is also important if you feel your injuries are relatively minor. It is not uncommon for cyclists to feel fine in the aftermath of an accident, only to wake up the following day in severe pain. The sooner you seek medical care, the sooner your doctor can get you on the path to recovery.

It is also important to follow the guidance of your doctor. Your medical care could involve a number of steps to reduce the severity of your injury or limit your pain. This is not only important for your health, but it is also necessary for your civil lawsuit as well. If you fail to mitigate your damages, you could miss out on your chance for financial compensation.

Contact law enforcement

It is important to notify the police of your accident, especially if you suffered injuries in the collision. The police will respond to the scene of the accident and make a report. This report could be vital to your personal injury case.

It is important to not only contact the police but also to ensure they correctly record information for their report. You also have the opportunity to review the report when it is finalized in order to identify mistakes.

Obtain contact information from the at-fault party

You have the right to ask for insurance information from the driver that struck you in your accident. In addition to their insurance information, you also have the right to request their contact information. This information will be necessary in order to file an injury claim.

Gather information at the scene

If you are physically able to do so, it is important that you gather as much evidence at the scene of the accident as possible. The scene will only remain in its current state for a short time, so your window to secure evidence in your case is limited.

If you have the opportunity, take photos of the area around your accident and of the vehicle that struck you. If there were witnesses to the accident, obtain their contact information. Once a witness leaves an accident, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to track them down again.

Talk to a New York City personal injury attorney

A critical step in the aftermath of a bicycle accident is speaking with a personal injury attorney in NYC. The team at Douglas & London can advise you on the strength of your case and help you pursue maximum compensation. Call for a free consultation today.