How to Deal With a Bike Accident in Fresno, California

Fresno, like other areas of California, is often considered a high risk area for cyclists with around 100 recorded bike accidents each year. Whenever a bike accident occurs, there are a number of steps you need to do in order to take control of the situation. Although nobody wants to prepare for something as serious as a bike accident, it is still important for cyclists and vehicle operators to understand what to do in such a circumstance.

The minutes immediately following a bike crash in Fresno, with or without another vehicle involved, are critical. What you do following the incident will affect how well you may recover from your injuries as well as the outcome of any possible lawsuits that may result from the accident.

While every bike accident is different, here is a general guideline for what to do if you have a collision while cycling in Fresno:

1. Call the Police: Even if you don't think you are injured in your bike accident, you should call the Fresno police to file a report. Many times bikers don't realize they have been injured until hours or even days after the bike accident. If you leave the scene you may never be compensated for the damages to your bike or health.

Also, if somebody else caused the bike accident, the police may decide to ticket the individual; something that will benefit you when settling the case.

2. Obtain Contact Information: While you're waiting for the police to arrive, you can exchange contact information with witnesses and anybody else who may have been involved in the bike accident. If the situation seems tense, you can complete this step once the Fresno police arrive at the scene.

3. Accident Report: Do everything you can to make sure your side of the story is documented by the Fresno police; don't hide any injury regardless of how small, since you never know whether it will get worse or not.

4. Document Everything: If possible, take pictures of the bike accident scene so you can preserve the evidence as effectively as possible. Use your cell phone to take photos of the scene including, damages to vehicles, people involved license plate numbers and so on. Take note of the weather, the road conditions, damage to your bike or equipment, and anything else that may be relevant to the bike accident. Take note of what anyone at the scene says, everything.

It would also be good to document your bike accident injuries if they get any worse.

5. Seek Professional Advice: Many bike accidents in Fresno or elsewhere involve serious legal issues. You should contact a personal injury attorney who specializes in bike accidents. This lawyer can advise you on how to proceed, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf if necessary, and represent you in a lawsuit if needed.

As you can see, by missing only one of those steps after a bike accident you could find yourself in even more trouble. Your immediate physical well-being should always come first if you are involved in a bike accident in Fresno, but after that there are many other things you need to worry about. By following these steps you will protect yourself in the long run and ensure you have the information needed to make a claim for compensation.