Spring is here, and with warmer weather on the way and many Calgarians now commuting back to the office, the amount of pedestrians and cyclists out and about has seen a significant increase. Whether you love to bike to work or enjoy the sun on an afternoon stroll, road safety and awareness are crucial when it comes to preventing accidents that can result in personal injuries, or even wrongful death lawsuits. At James H. Brown and Associates, we know that sharing the road with vehicles can be dangerous for cyclists, and are passionate about ensuring that you know your rights in the event of an accident or collision. As one of Alberta’s top injury law firms, our team is here to support you in the event of a bicycle or pedestrian accident, and to make sure you have everything you need to recover with peace of mind.
Below, we’ll cover the basics to keep in mind if you’re ever hit by a car while riding your bike, or as a pedestrian. Read on to learn more about how you can protect yourself!
Move to a Safe Space
Being involved in a collision, regardless of how minor, can be overwhelming. It’s more than understandable that many cyclists or pedestrians often feel disoriented and frightened in the immediate aftermath of an accident. To prevent further injury, it’s crucial that you move off the road and to a safer space as soon as possible, assuming you are able to do so. If you can, transport your bike with you to remove debris, but always keep your safety front of mind and stay aware of your surroundings as other drivers may not see you on the road. Once you and the other party have moved to a better location, you can take further steps.
DON’T Admit Fault
It’s not uncommon to want to apologize and accidentally admit fault to the other party in the aftermath of an accident. As much as you may want to apologize, DO NOT SAY YOU ARE AT FAULT. Emotions run high during stressful events like a collision, and it’s important to avoid saying anything that directly places blame on yourself, especially if you are injured and end up needing long term care. Claiming guilt, even if you think you’re just being kind and empathizing with the driver/other parties can work against you later on when you need treatment.
DON’T Let the Other Party Leave
If the driver or other individual involved in the collision is still on the scene, don’t let them leave until you have all of their contact information, including name, address, and insurance information and the police have arrived (if necessary). Adrenaline and stress can often make it easy to underestimate the extent of your injuries, and having a police officer and/or paramedic (if necessary) take a closer look is essential for your immediate well-being, as well as for your support should you need to pursue a personal injury claim.
DOCUMENT!
One of the most important things to do after any sort of accident is to document things in as much detail as possible. In addition to the other person’s information and insurance details, you’ll want to take clear photos of the scene including your bike, the involved vehicle, any injuries (as well as any injuries/progression of injury as time passes), and license plates, etc. Be sure to record the date and time, speak with witnesses and collect their information for supporting statements, and take notes continuously as time progresses in case you recall something that needs to be added later on.
You’ll also want to make sure you provide the police with a statement that is as detailed as possible as promptly as possible. Doing so will help with insurance, as well any potential legal matters that may come out of the incident.
Get Medical Attention ASAP
While all of the details above are crucial, and should definitely take priority after an accident, taking care of yourself is the most important thing you can do after an accident. Seek medical attention right away to make sure you haven’t missed any injuries and have adequate care. In the days following your accident, it’s also vital to be aware of the signs of traumatic injuries like whiplash, neck strain, spinal cord injuries, etc. If anything changes after your initial medical assessment, go back to the doctor for further evaluation and make sure everything is documented for insurance and legal purposes. It’s also important to keep track of any missed hours at work you’ve had to accommodate in order to see the doctor, as well as other quality of life factors that have been affected due to the accident.
Speak With a Qualified Legal Team
Knowing your rights and ensuring you have access to quality representation in the event of a personal injury claim is a key part of recovering from a traumatic incident and making sure you’re able to return to a happy, healthy, lifestyle. With over 250 years of combined injury law experience, James H. Brown and Associates has a proven reputation of standing up for Albertans’ rights after an accident. We’re here to make sure you have support by offering:
- Complete accident investigation services, including accident reconstruction and long-term impact analysis.
- Strong relationships with organizations ready to assist with rehabilitation and recovery.
- And much more!
Don’t face the road to recovery alone after a cyclist or pedestrian accident. Contact us today to speak to a lawyer and book a free, no-obligation consultation with James H. Brown and Associates.
