A bicycle collision can leave you injured, without a usable bike, and dealing with an insurer before the full impact of the accident is clear. Knowing what to do after a bicycle accident in Longmont depends on the circumstances of what happened, but protecting your health and preserving evidence should come first. A bike accident attorney can assess the crash, identify information that others may have lost, and explain how Colorado law may affect your claim before you consider a settlement.
At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., we give injured cyclists the close attention of a smaller personal injury firm. We work directly with clients rather than through case managers, allowing us to focus on the details of the crash, available coverage, and the effect of the injury on your daily life.
Protect Your Health and Preserve Evidence
If you want to know what to do first after a Longmont bicycle crash, it should be to seek medical care. Even if you can leave the scene without an ambulance, prompt evaluation can identify injuries that were not immediately apparent and create medical documentation connecting your condition to the collision. Follow recommended treatment. Keep records showing your appointments and work restrictions, along with expenses related to your recovery.
Delays may make important evidence more difficult to secure. If you are able, you should also preserve photographs of the following:
- Your bicycle
- The other person’s vehicle
- The roadway
- Traffic controls
- Visible injuries
Keep the bicycle and damaged equipment in their post-crash condition. Obtain the crash report when available and save witness contact information. A bicycle injury claim may also depend on surveillance video or vehicle data that requires prompt investigation.
How Do State Bicycle Rules Affect Your Claim?
State law generally gives bicyclists the rights and duties applicable to drivers when they use roadways. The Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-1412 also contains specific rules for cyclists, including provisions governing roadway position and sidewalk or crosswalk use. Questions about a bicycle accident in Longmont may affect what an attorney advises you to do while parties are assessing your liability.
Drivers also have specific duties when passing. C.R.S. § 42-4-1003 requires a motorist overtaking a bicyclist traveling in the same direction to allow at least three feet of separation. An attorney can compare the physical evidence and witness accounts against these requirements rather than relying solely on an insurer’s description of how the collision occurred.
Insurance Decisions Can Shape the Value of the Claim
An insurance company may request a recorded statement or broad medical authorization. It may also propose an early settlement before the full extent of your injury is clear. A quick payment may not account for future treatment or reduced earning capacity. Before accepting a release, it is important that you understand what rights you are giving up and whether you have identified all responsible sources of coverage.
Fault also affects recovery. Under C.R.S. § 13-21-111, an injured person may recover when that person’s negligence is not as great as the negligence of the party from whom you seek recovery. Compensation decreases in proportion to the injured person’s percentage of responsibility. Knowing what is required of a carefully developed Longmont bicycle accident case can therefore matter when an insurer argues that the cyclist’s own conduct contributed to the collision or resulting injuries.
Call Us in Longmont If You Are Wondering What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
The steps you take after a crash can affect your physical recovery as well as the evidence available to support a claim. Knowing what to do after a bicycle accident in Longmont means obtaining appropriate medical care and preserving useful information. It also requires evaluating fault and insurance issues before making a final settlement decision.
At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., we provide you with direct, one-on-one attention from attorneys who take the time to understand the details of your case. If you suffered harm while riding a bicycle, contact us to discuss the collision and your injuries. We can review your options for pursuing compensation and determine the next steps based on the circumstances of your claim.
