What Do I Do If I Was Hit By a Car on My Bike?

CALL (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with a bicycle accident attorney if you were hit by a car on your bike

People throughout America ride bicycles all the time; some people bike as a form of transportation, while others enjoy it as a form of exercise or leisure activity. Biking outdoors can lead cyclists to ride down busy streets, traveling next to cars and other motor vehicles. Sometimes, the drivers of these cars might not notice a cyclist on the road and make a turn or other maneuver that causes a collision with the cyclist or forces them off the road. If you were one of these cyclists, you are probably now wondering, “What do I do if I was hit by a car on my bike?”

If you or a loved one has been hit by a car while riding your bike, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free consultation with a bicycle accident attorney. We can answer your bicycle accident FAQs, and one of our bicycle accident lawyers can help you seek maximum compensation.

What should i do if i was hit by a car on my bike?

After a bike accident, you may be injured and want to hold someone responsible for your injuries. Make sure you have taken care of these few things first, though.

Seek Medical Attention

Getting hit by a car on a bike can cause severe injuries; after all, bikers are extremely vulnerable when on busy roads. They are not protected like a driver in a car is, as bikers are exposed to the elements of the outdoors and the dangers of erratic or negligent drivers, with only the safety gear they are wearing to protect them. Because of this vulnerability, bike accident injuries can be severe, so it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you got hit by a car while riding your bike.

One common injury cyclists incur after bike accidents is broken bones, particularly collar bones. To determine whether you have any broken bones, your doctor will give you an x-ray. If you do have a broken bone, you will likely have to wear a cast or sling for a few weeks while your injury heals.

Another common injury is muscle strains. After a bike accident, you might be sore or have torn a muscle from falling. Your doctor might prescribe pain medication to ease your symptoms; they might also refer you to a physical therapist who can help you perform stretching and strengthening exercises.

A third common injury after getting hit by a car on a bike is road rash; while road rash is less severe than broken bones or muscle strains, it can still be painful. Road rash can occur when you fall off your bike and slide down the street; it is like a large cut or scrape on your body. It is important to see a doctor if you have road rash so that they can properly clean the injury to ensure it does not get infected.

Even if you were wearing a helmet, it is still possible to get a concussion from a bike accident. If you notice after the accident that your helmet was cracked, this may indicate you have a concussion; seek medical attention right away, as many concussion symptoms do not present themselves immediately. Common signs of a concussion include:

• Headaches
• Ringing in ears
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Blurry vision

If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor who can diagnose you with a concussion and provide you with a proper treatment plan.

Document the Accident

As soon as possible, document the accident for your own records. You will want to write down:

• Where the accident occurred
• What time the accident occurred
• How the accident happened
• Damage done to your bicycle or protective gear
• Any injuries you suffered

If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident, the damage done to your equipment, and your injuries. This information will be helpful to a bike accident attorney should you choose to file a lawsuit.

If you know the make, model, and license plate of the car that hit you, document that information, too. If you do not know this information, try to document as many details about the car or driver that you can remember.

Report the Accident

If you were severely injured because of the accident, call the police at the scene. An ambulance might arrive to take you to the hospital so that your injuries can be attended to.

Even if you are not severely injured, you should still call the police to report the accident. An officer might come to the scene and ask you questions about what happened; any details you provide them with will be put in their official report, which will be required by your attorney. Usually, you can request a copy of this report online; if you are unsure of how to obtain a copy of the police report, ask the officer at the scene or call the nearby police station’s non-emergency number.

It is not always guaranteed that an officer will arrive at the scene to create a report; if an officer does not arrive at the scene of your accident, report the accident on your own. This can be done by going to your local police station or by filing a report online. To do this, you may need to provide details such as when and where the accident occurred, and who was involved in the accident; check your local police station’s website to see what kind of information you need to provide when reporting an accident.