What to do before and after you are hit by a driver

Mark Strohman • May 5, 2022
Two policeman responding to a vehicular accident


WHAT TO DO BEFORE AND AFTER YOU ARE HIT BY A DRIVER



No one wants to talk about death or serious injury. Unfortunately, as cyclists, we need to plan for potential catastrophes. We can take all the right precautions, do all the right things, but in the end, we are always at risk due to another person’s negligence. While we may be able to control our own safety, we cannot control the safety of everyone else on the road.

 


 

The moments immediately following a crash is not the time to figure out what to do. Here are some things you can do to be prepared:

 


 

* Check your insurance coverage -More times than not, drivers are carrying the minimum amount of liability insurance. Check your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your policy and increase it to as much as financially feasible for you. Note-uninsured motorist insurance also covers hit-and-run crashes.

 


 

* Ride with cameras and tell someone you have them-ride with front and rear cameras. It won’t prevent you from getting hit, but it will provide evidence for law enforcement if needed.

 


 

* Have your emergency contacts easily accessible -Your phone can be damaged or broken in a crash. Add a written emergency contact list to your bike wallet.

 


 

* Have an action plan in place -If you or a friend has been hit, call 911 immediately if you are able. Take photos of the scene and collect any witness information. Scan the area for videos cameras that might have captured footage of the incident.

 


 

* CALL 877-BIKE LEGAL (877-245-3534)

 


 

Ride Protected, Ride Safe, with Bike Legal

 

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At Bike Legal, our mission is to advocate for bicycle safety and to share the road responsibly through education. Our legal team is committed to supporting and representing cyclists across the United States, no matter where you ride or how you ride.

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