What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Montgomery County When the Driver Says They Did Not See You

Cycling on the busy streets of Montgomery County means sharing the road with fast-moving vehicles and drivers who may not be paying close attention to their surroundings. A heavy vehicle and a cyclist on a lightweight bicycle mean the advantage in a crash goes to the vehicle and its driver when the driver claims not to have seen the cyclist before impact, which further increases the likelihood that the accident was due to the driver’s negligence. 

Serious injuries are common in motor vehicle crashes involving cyclists. The questions that frequently follow an accident like this- how to prove fault and receive just compensation for damages suffered are at the top of an injured cyclist’s priorities list. Focusing on how to proceed after a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle can increase the likelihood of receiving maximum compensation and reaching a beneficial resolution. 

Cyclists Must be Aware of Passing Laws While On the Road

Unfortunately, Montgomery County drivers are notorious for violating one of the most basic rules of the road when passing a cyclist. A motor vehicle in Pennsylvania must allow four feet of space between itself and a bicycle when attempting to pass. Of critical importance is that the responsibility to provide this four feet of clearance rests on the shoulders of the vehicle’s driver and not on the cyclist. 

It is legal for a vehicle to pass a cyclist in most any roadway condition. With that said, the four feet of clearance must be maintained at all times. It is when a motor vehicle does not heed the four-foot “buffer” that the driver is more likely to have either not seen the cyclist or seen the cyclist and disregarded the four feet of space that must be maintained. 

Steps to Take for a Cyclist After Being Hit By a Motor Vehicle 

To begin, any cyclist involved in an accident with a motor vehicle is fortunate to be able to do much of anything afterward. The simple truth is that cyclists are put in substantial danger when a motor vehicle makes contact with them. Besides their helmets, there is essentially no safety equipment that cyclists can wear or attach to their bicycles. 

However, if a cyclist can get up from a crash and move around, several steps should be taken:

• Contact Law Enforcement and Emergency Personnel. In other words- call 9-1-1. A police report should be completed, if possible. Depending on the nature of the injuries suffered, it is prudent to have an ambulance on the scene to determine whether an emergency room visit is in the cyclist’s best interests. 
• Begin to collect information from the at-fault driver. Even if the cyclist believes their injuries are minor, they should not immediately leave the scene of the accident. Rather, now is the time to collect information from the at-fault driver, including their name, license plate, and insurance information, as well as photographs of the damage to their bicycle and the vehicle. 
• Cyclists should take care to photograph as much of the accident scene as possible. From tire tracks on pavement to property damage and everything in between. The lighting in and around the accident scene, difficult sightlines at turns, and any other noteworthy aspects of the location should be documented. 

Seeking Medical Care after a Cycling Accident

While many cycling accidents produce substantial injuries, in others, the injuries may appear minimal at first glance. Bumps and bruises, the cyclist may think, and nothing more. 

However, cycling accidents may involve relatively little pain at first, only to find that the injuries suffered are much more serious than initially believed. Not seeking medical care after a motor-vehicle-cycling accident can be a major mistake for a cyclist. 

Instead, a cyclist should choose to see a doctor as soon as possible. Internal bleeding, soft tissue injuries, and a host of other medical problems may not reveal themselves until a day or more later. Seeking medical care soon after the accident allows those injuries to be diagnosed quickly. This puts the cyclist in a position where those injuries can be treated, and a recovery plan can be created. 

The Benefits of Representation After a Cycling Accident

Even though a cyclist may have suffered injuries in an accident with a vehicle, that does not mean the rest of their life pauses to slow down for them. Work responsibilities, childcare, and other obligations are still ongoing. On top of that, there are now injuries that must be treated and recovered from. How can an injured cyclist expect to balance all of these issues?

An experienced attorney who serves cyclists injured in auto accidents is a great advantage to have. From understanding the tricks and delay tactics of insurance companies to aggressively pursuing maximum compensation for injuries, finding trustworthy, diligent legal representation considerably levels the playing field in a cycling accident case. A cyclist with an attorney advocating for their interests has the time and energy to focus on their recovery and other life responsibilities. 

Additionally, consider that an attorney conducts the investigative work that can determine a case’s outcome. Collecting evidence, negotiating with insurance adjusters, and preparing for trial are essential skills for an attorney advocating for an injured cyclist’s rights. 

Contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., for a Free Case Review

Take action today to protect your rights and take hold of maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., today for a free case review. As an experienced Montgomery County bicycle accident law firm, our team of legal professionals takes our responsibility to serve injured clients seriously.