During the warmer months of the year, bicycling becomes a more popular activity. Whether you ride for sport, exercise, or to save on gas back and forth to work, you should be familiar with the dangers associated with riding a bike and what to do if you become a victim of a bicycle hit-and-run accident.
First, here are some bicycle statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- 48% of bicycle accident fatalities happen between 4:00 p.m. and midnight.
- 88% of bicycle deaths are male and 80% of bicyclists injured are male.
- 2% of all traffic fatalities involve bicycles.
Many times these accidents, deaths and injuries could be prevented if both drivers and cyclists followed the rules of the road.
When drivers do collide with bicycles, they are often breaking a rule like speeding or drinking while driving. Since they know they are at fault, it’s not uncommon for drivers to take off.
What to Do Following a Bicycle Accident
If you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident on a bike, here are four things you should know to do immediately:
- Call the police and report the accident.
- See if anyone witnessed the accident.
- Go to a doctor or hospital for care.
- Call your auto and health insurance companies.
Bicycle accidents can be difficult to get insurance companies to cover, so it’s important to hire an experienced pedestrian accident attorney to help you get the compensation you need to cover any medical bills, missed work, and replacing or repairing your bike.