What to Do If You’ve Been Hit by a Car While Riding a Bike

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California is one of the most dangerous states in the country for cyclists, and San Francisco and Marin County have some of the highest incidents of bicycle accidents and injuries in the entire state.. On top of that, the Bay Area has a great deal of both foot and bicycle traffic.

Ultimately, because of the many dangers present in our area, it is imperative that you recognize the following steps to take should you ever be hit while riding your bike.

#1. Try to Get Yourself out of the Street

This is the most important thing. If you are capable of physically moving yourself, you should.

#2. Call 911

It doesn’t matter if you feel fine after the accident. You should still call a 911 and have an ambulance come to ensure that you’re not injured. Too frequently, individuals that have been in an accident have adrenaline pumping through their veins from the shock of what’s occurred. Just because you can’t feel an injury doesn’t mean that you aren’t injured. Make sure that medical professionals have a look at you.

In addition, police can collect information from witnesses and take down the driver’s personal information. This will save you the effort of doing so yourself.

One thing to bear in mind is that police don’t always get the story right. Their main job is to secure the scene, ensure traffic can move again, and make sure everyone survives the incident. Lastly, they will take witness statements

#3. Use Your Cell Phone to Get Pictures

You may not necessarily be in any position to maneuver yourself around, but any images you can take at the scene will help clarify discrepancies between your story and the police report. Get license plates of nearby vehicles, images of people, images of the scene, and whatever else you can think of.

#4. Contact an Attorney

California is a “fault” state when it comes to accidents involving motor vehicles. After the dust has settled and you’ve been released from the hospital, an attorney can help you secure the best possible settlement from the driver’s insurance company.

Even if you’re partially at fault for the accident, the driver is likely partially at fault as well. This means that you might be entitled to some portion of your expenses as damages, including pain and suffering.

Insurance companies, on the other hand, have every incentive to blame you for what happened. They do not want to pay out huge claims. If this means finding you partially at fault for the accident, then that is precisely what they will do. A lawyer can help ensure that you are compensated for the full extent of your damages.

Let Us Help You Today

If you’ve been hit by a car on your bicycle, the experienced Marin County attorneys at The Wakeford Law Firm can help you get the best possible settlement for your injuries. Give us a call at (415) 569-7495 or contact us online, and we can begin negotiating on your behalf immediately.

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