What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

By Eugene Bruno on January 30, 2025

Bicycle accidents are a common yet often overlooked risk, with many riders failing to fully understand the steps needed to protect their health, safety, and legal rights immediately following a crash. Whether you’re involved in a collision with a vehicle, another cyclist, or a road hazard, knowing what to do after a bicycle accident is crucial for your well-being and the success of any potential legal or insurance claims.

Prioritize Your Safety First

Your first steps after a bicycle crash involve securing your safety. Assess the situation calmly and take steps to protect yourself from further harm. If you can’t move due to injury, try to signal for help so emergency responders can arrive as quickly as possible.

Move to a Safe Area

If you can move, relocate yourself and your bicycle to a safe area away from traffic or other hazards. You might be tempted to assess the scene or check on the other party involved, but it’s essential to ensure you are out of immediate danger first. For example:

• Move to the sidewalk or shoulder of the road.
• Use hand signals or wave your hands to alert any oncoming traffic of the accident.
• Avoid moving your bike if it obstructs traffic until authorities arrive to document the scene.

Check for Injuries

While the initial shock of a bicycle accident may cause adrenaline to mask pain, it’s important to assess yourself for injuries carefully. Common injuries in a bicycle accident include:

• Road rash: Abrasions caused by friction with the ground or other surfaces. These can vary in severity, from mild scrapes to deep wounds that may require medical attention to prevent infection.
• Broken bones: Common in bicycle accidents, especially in the arms, wrists, legs, and collarbones. Broken bones may cause swelling, bruising, and significant pain, often requiring immediate medical treatment, such as bone setting or surgery.
• Sprains and strains: Damage to ligaments (sprains) or muscles/tendons (strains) can occur during a fall or collision. These injuries typically result in swelling, pain, and limited range of motion and may sometimes require rest, physical therapy, or surgery.
• Head injuries: Cyclists are at risk for head injuries, even with a helmet on. These can range from mild concussions to more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Symptoms of a concussion may include dizziness, nausea, confusion, headaches, and memory loss. A more serious TBI can cause lasting cognitive impairments.
• Neck injuries: The neck is vulnerable in a bicycle accident, particularly in high-impact collisions. Whiplash (a soft tissue injury to the neck) and cervical spine fractures are common. Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and numbness or tingling in the arms.

Even if you don’t feel hurt immediately, examine your body for cuts, bruises, swelling, or soreness. Be especially cautious if you experience dizziness, nausea, or confusion, as these could be signs of a concussion or internal injury.

Call Emergency Services

Even in what may seem like a minor bicycle accident, calling emergency services is crucial. A prompt call to 911 ensures that both police and medical personnel are dispatched to the scene.

Why You Should Always Call the Police

A police report creates an official account of the accident. This document is essential for:

• Establishing fault in a potential legal case.
• Filing a bicycle accident claim.
• Providing accurate details for future reference.

Even in minor incidents, requesting a police report ensures the accident is documented. If the driver or other party refuses to cooperate, calling the police can also de-escalate tensions and enforce legal obligations.

Seeking Medical Attention

Even if you feel fine, seeing a medical professional after an accident is vital. Injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage may not become apparent until hours or days later. Early medical evaluation serves two purposes:

• Ensuring your health and safety.
• Documenting injuries for any potential legal or insurance claims.

If emergency responders treat you at the scene, request copies of their medical reports.

Gather Information from the Scene

Collecting information immediately after the accident can strengthen your case and help you pursue compensation for your injuries or damages.

Exchange Information with the Driver

If a vehicle was involved, obtain the following details from the driver:

• Full name and contact information.
• Driver’s license number.
• Vehicle make, model, and license plate number.
• Insurance provider and policy number.

If the driver is uncooperative, let the police handle the situation to ensure the details are accurately recorded.

Take Photos and Videos

Use your phone to document a bicycle crash. Focus on capturing:

• Your bicycle and any visible damage.
• The vehicle involved, including its license plate.
• The surrounding area, including skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signals.
• Any injuries you sustained.

These photos and videos will be critical evidence when filing a claim or building a legal case.

Talk to Witnesses

If there were witnesses to the accident, ask for their contact information and, if possible, a brief statement of what they saw. Witness testimony can help clarify the sequence of events and establish liability.

File a Police Report

Filing a police report is essential, regardless of its severity, after any bicycle accident. The report will be an official incident record critical for insurance claims and potential legal actions.

What to Include in the Report

Be sure to provide all relevant details to law enforcement. These may include the exact time and location of the accident, the conditions of the road, any relevant weather factors, and the contact information of all parties involved. If there were witnesses, make sure to provide their names and statements. You should also mention any medical attention you received at the scene or injuries you sustained.

Obtain a Copy of the Police Report

Once the report is filed, obtaining a copy for your records is essential. This document will be necessary when filing insurance claims or pursuing legal action. Contact the local police department or the agency that responded to the accident to inquire about obtaining a copy of the police report.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Bicycle Accident

After a bicycle accident, it’s important to be mindful of your actions. Certain mistakes can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation or make your case more difficult to prove.

Don’t Admit Fault or Apologize

One common mistake after a bicycle accident is admitting fault at the scene. Even if you believe the accident was partly your fault, avoid apologizing or making statements that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. In the heat of the moment, keeping your statements factual and noncommittal is important.

Avoid Posting on Social Media

Experience or venting about the incident may be tempting, but anything you post can be used against you later. Insurance companies or opposing parties could use your social media activity to undermine your case.

The Importance of Medical Documentation

Thorough medical documentation is essential after a bicycle accident as it helps ensure you receive proper care and strengthens your case if you need to pursue compensation.

Keep Track of Medical Records and Bills

Keep careful records of all medical treatments, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and physical therapy. Track any out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation to appointments or medical supplies you need to purchase. Having detailed records of your medical care will provide a clear picture of the financial and physical toll the accident has taken on you.

How Medical Reports Affect Your Case

Medical evidence serves as critical proof of the severity and extent of your injuries. This documentation helps establish the link between the accident and your injuries, making it clear that your medical expenses and lost wages directly result from the incident. Insurance companies and courts rely heavily on medical records when determining compensation amounts, so keeping everything well-organized is vital.

Seek Legal Advice After a Bicycle Accident

Consulting an experienced San Diego bicycle accident attorney can help you navigate the legal and insurance processes, ensuring your rights are protected.

Why You Should Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer

An attorney can assist with:

• Evaluating the strength of your case.
• Negotiating with insurance companies to maximize your settlement.
• Representing you in court if necessary.

Their professional legal insight can alleviate the stress of dealing with complex legal and insurance procedures, allowing you to focus on recovery.

How an Attorney Can Help with Insurance Claims

Insurance companies may attempt to minimize your claim or deny liability. A skilled lawyer will:

• Advocate on your behalf during negotiations.
• Gather evidence, including witness statements and medical records.
• Ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

Get Help After a Bicycle Accident in San Diego

Recovering physically, emotionally, and financially from a bicycle accident can be a challenging process, but taking the right steps can make all the difference. By prioritizing your safety, documenting the incident, and seeking legal advice for the bicycle accident, you position yourself for the best possible outcome. If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident in San Diego County, don’t navigate the aftermath without the help of a bicycle accident attorney.

Eugene Bruno & Associates has over 40 years of combined experience, a 99.7% success rate, and a successful track record, having recovered tens of millions for our clients. We’re committed to delivering outstanding results.

Our law firm has been recognized by Expertise as one of the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in San Diego, and we’ve earned a place in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and maintain a BBB Accredited Business rating of A.

Call Eugene Bruno & Associates today at 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) to schedule your free consultation.