Cyclists are exceptionally vulnerable road users. They do not have the protection of a robust vehicle to prevent damage to their bodies should they become involved in a car accident. Road traffic accidents involving cyclists mean that those on their bikes are far more likely to encounter a fatality than those in other vehicles.
With such high rates of injury and a higher probability of death, you have a moral responsibility to bring a claim for compensation after an accident, if you are a cyclist. Drivers must be held accountable for their actions. For ever driver who is held accountable there is one less person on the road who is not looking for cyclists at every junction.
If you are knocked off your bike in a road traffic accident, here are four next steps you ought to take to protect yourself.
The 4 Next Steps for Cyclists After an Accident
Whether you are knocked off your bike gently or whether you T-bone a car, the steps for protecting your financial interests and for ensuring your continued healthy recovery are as follows.
1 – Seek Help
Immediately following an accident you ought to seek help from emergency services, should you need it. You ought to visit the hospital to be checked over to make sure there are no underlying concerns. You also ought to speak to the police. In the event of being knocked off your bike during a car accident it is rarely the cyclists’ fault. You may have to rely upon others to seek help on your behalf if you are incapacitated.
2 – Document the Accident
Documenting the accident means returning to the scene and taking photographs If there is damaged street furniture, skid marks on the road, or if your bike is smashed to bits, take photos of all of it. With cyclist fatalities equating to 5% off all deaths on UK roads you cannot afford to be complacent.
3 – Seek Legal Counsel
While you are in recovery after being knocked off your bike, the next sensible thing to do is to speak to a lawyer. As mentioned above, those who knocked you off your bike will call in a legal team of their own to protect themselves. But while they face nothing more than rising insurance premiums, you face a lengthy recovery time and potential health issues for life.
Speaking to an expert RTA lawyer will allow you to protect your interests. They will advise you on what to do next.
4 – Focus on Recovering
A car accident is a terribly traumatic experience. Focus on your recovery while your lawyer deals with the ins and outs of your personal injury case.
Cyclist Involved in a Road Traffic Collision? Seek Advice
The most important point about all of this is that you make a full recovery. So that you can concentrate on doing exactly that, we recommend that you speak to a legal professional before it is too late. The people who knocked you off your bike are definitely hiring a lawyer. If you wish to maximise your chances of receiving compensation for your woes then you should too.
