What do you do if you're hit by a car?

You're out for a pleasant ride on your bicycle and the worst happens--you're hit by a car.  It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen.  When it happens, you need to know what to do.

Bicycle and car

Missouri attorney Alvin Wolff created this list of things to do if you are involved in a collision or crash on your bicycle:

What to do if you're hit by a car and physically hurt, regardless of fault:

 

1.  Cooperate with the police.

2.  Get the insurance information from the person who caused the wreck.

3.  If you're able to take a few photos to document the physical evidence at the scene such as position of vehicle, traffic conditions, etc.

4. Keep calm. Losing your temper never does anybody any good.

5. Get yourself checked out by competent medical personnel.

6. Make sure the police report is accurate when it is ready for pick up.

7. Do not give the insurance company a statement until you've consulted with legal counsel.

8. Stay off of social media.

9. Don't discuss case with anybody.

10. There may be a requirement that you pay back your own health insurer.  When they contact you for repayment check with counsel to make sure it is legitimate.

There are other actions needed depending on the case.

 

Lawyer Alvin Wolff often handles bicycle injury case in his practice. Alvin was recently named Plaintiff's Lawyer of the Year In Medical Malpractice by Best Lawyers In America. He is an avid cycling advocate and cyclist. He has published a free book entitled The Total Guide for Motorcycle and Bicycle Accident Victims in Missouri--and he is a member of MoBikeFed's Yellow Jersey Club.

MoBikeFed maintains a list of Missouri lawyers who are willing to help cyclists and pedestrians in injury and collision cases.

Photo credit: Collision by Jari Schroderus on FlickR. Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license.