WHAT TO DO AFTER A BIKE ACCIDENT
No matter your level of experience or how careful you ride – a bicycle accident can happen. Unfortunately, these accidents can result in serious injury. It is important to know what to do if you are involved in a bike-car accident.
Being prepared will help you during this tragic event. According to Consumer Reports, there are 10 steps you should do after a bike accident. Where all are important, I believe these steps are essential for your safety and recovery:
- Get to safety. This will prevent more damage from occurring.
- Contact the police. It is important to make sure there is a police report.
- Seek medical attention. Often, injuries are not immediately apparent. Don’t wait, seek medical attention at your local emergency room or by seeing your family physician right away.
- Get your bike checked. Take your bike to a shop to have a professional assess any damages.
- Get Legal Help. Most importantly, consult with an auto accident lawyer.
PROPER SAFETY COULD PREVENT A BIKE ACCIDENT
Bicycle safety is important for both the cyclist and motorist. FLSMV (Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) states motorists must pay special attention when driving around cyclists. Here are some safety tips for everyone to follow:
Motorists
- Drivers MUST give bicyclists a minimum of three feet of clearance when driving alongside or passing them. It’s the law.
- When turning, yield to any bicyclist in the bike lane and make your turn behind the cyclist.
- Avoid using high beam headlights when you see a bicyclist approaching.
- Before opening a car door, check for bicyclists who may be approaching from behind.
Cyclist
- Use siempre un casco que le quede bien ajustado y abroche la correa firmemente.
- Be seen. Wear bright colors when riding or wear something that reflects light (reflective shoes, reflective tape, etc.)
- Presta atención. No uses audífonos para poder escuchar el tráfico y a los peatones a tu alrededor. Nunca envíes mensajes de texto mientras conduces.
- Circula en la misma dirección que el tráfico y mantente lo más a la derecha posible. Usa los carriles para bicicletas siempre que puedas.
- Respete todas las leyes de tránsito, incluidas las señales, las luces y las marcas en los carriles, cuando circule por la calzada. Si cruza una calzada por un cruce peatonal o a lo largo de este, aténgase a las pautas de cruce para peatones.
- If riding between the hours of sunset and sunrise, Florida Law requires that the front of the bike be equipped with a headlight lamp which exhibits a white light visible for 500 feet, and the rear of the bike equipped with a taillight lamp and reflector visible for 600 feet.
CONTACTO
If you are a victim of a bike-car accident don’t struggle through the process alone. Our equipo de lesiones personales is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding injuries from a bike-car accident.
Deje que los abogados de accidentes automovilísticos en Tampa de RHINO Lawyers responda a sus preguntas y revise los hechos de su caso con una consulta gratuita. Comience completando el “Evaluación de caso instantánea y gratuita”o llamándonos en cualquier momento, día o noche, al 844.329.3491.
