What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Springfield, IL

In a moment, your life may be on the line, all thanks to a driver who failed to stop at a red light or yield the right of way to you on your bike. When you suffer injuries from an accident like this, what you do after that accident can prove to be critical in recovering fair compensation.

Every bike rider needs to know what to do after a bicycle accident in Springfield, IL, for this reason. Your first step is always to get to safety and then call for help. In the ideal situation, you will then follow these steps to protect yourself and your case.

Call the Police and Wait

While you should move yourself out of the way of additional danger, if you can do so, you should not leave the area of the bicycle accident, even if you feel okay. Instead, wait for the police to arrive so they can document the scene. Under the law (625 ILCS 5/11-401), you must remain at the scene of the accident if there is substantial damages or injury to a person involved in the accident. The driver must do so as well.

Gather Evidence to Support Your Claim

Your priority should always be on your medical needs. When you can do so, gather as much information and data from the scene as possible. This includes taking photos of:

• The accident location
• The damage to your bike
• The damage to the car
• Any debris in the roadway
• Your injuries
• The surrounding area, including the layout of the streets

This information then serves as documentation of where you were at the time of the accident and under what conditions the incident occurred. This can be valuable to you later when you file your case.

Get the Names of All Involved

This includes the name and contact information for the driver that struck you, any of their passengers at the time of the accident, and any witnesses. If anyone stops to help, ask them for their name and contact information. That information could prove valuable later.

It is important to get the insurance information from the at-fault driver who hit you. Take a photo of their license plate, driver’s license, and car insurance card. This is the easiest and most effective way to get the information you’ll need later.

Get to the Hospital

Bike injuries are notorious for seeming to be minor when, in fact, they can be quite complex. Internal injuries, including damage to organs, bleeding, concussions, and whiplash, do not show up right away. By getting to the hospital immediately, you minimize the risk of additional injuries and losses.

Document all of your injuries, request a copy of your discharge information, and understand all requirements of you. That includes any type of follow-up care you need, as well as time off work. Make sure you follow the doctor’s orders. Document all your ongoing care needs, then contact an attorney.

Getting Help from an Attorney Matters

A Springfield, IL bicycle accident lawyer can step in at this point to provide you with a wide range of resources. That includes helping you to report the losses to the appropriate insurance company. In situations where you have substantial injuries, a lawyer can protect your rights while you work on healing.