What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Banning

Regardless of where or how it happens, being caught up in a bicycle crash due to someone else’s misconduct can be a uniquely unsettling experience, not to mention a physically dangerous one as well. In spite of that, though, it is important for you to remain calm and act proactively in the wake of a wreck. The steps you take in the days, hours, and even minutes after your accident could have a massive impact on your life in the months, years, and even decades to come.

Of course, knowing what to do after a bicycle accident in Banning is not something that comes naturally to anyone, but that is why seeking help from skilled legal counsel can be such an important early step in the litigation process. In the meantime, here are some other things you should do your best to keep in mind under circumstances like this, so you can protect yourself physically and legally after being hurt through another person’s negligence.

Prioritize Everyone’s Immediate Physical Safety

If a Banning bicycle crash results in the bicyclist involved suffering a serious physical injury, the first and only thing they should worry about doing after the crash is getting to a hospital or urgent care center so they can receive the medical assistance they need. In non-emergency situations, however, the priority for bicyclists involved in traffic accidents should be to move themselves and their bikes out of the flow of traffic so they do not get hurt through a secondary impact.

Exchange Contact and Insurance Information

State law requires everyone involved in a traffic collision of any kind in California to stop at the scene, provide contact information to all involved parties, and also provide insurance information if applicable. If a bicyclist has an auto insurance policy, they should provide their policy number and other key details to the driver who hit them. In either case, they should do everything possible to obtain that information from the driver as well.

Take Some Preliminary Evidence-Gathering Steps

If possible, one very helpful thing a bicyclist can do to strengthen a potential civil claim after a bicycle wreck in Banning is to take photos of the crash scene, focusing particularly on damage to vehicles and/or bicyclists, as well as local traffic patterns. Likewise, identifying and getting contact information from the owners of nearby surveillance or dashboard cameras could be key to finding invaluable video footage of the wreck later on.

Seek Out and Follow Up on Professional Medical Care

Even if a bicyclist injured in a wreck does not need emergency medical care, they should still make seeking professional medical attention one of their top priorities after safely and lawfully leaving the scene of the accident. Either way, they should also make a point of attending follow-up appointments and obeying all instructions from their doctors, since that could be key to establishing later on that their injuries are actually as bad as they claim them to be.

An Attorney Can Answer Further Questions About What to Do After a Bicycle Crash in Banning

Following these steps can be extremely helpful not just to minimizing the long-term impact of bicycle crash injuries, but also to maximizing your chances of recovering fair compensation for your crash-related losses. That said, the single best thing to do after a bicycle accident in Banning is almost always seeking support from a capable and compassionate bicycle injury lawyer.

The team at Walter Clark Legal Group can provide the custom-tailored legal guidance you need to proactively pursue the restitution you deserve. Call today to schedule a consultation.