--- description: Learn what to do after a bicycle crash with our List of 10 Things To do After a Bicycle Crash. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. title: 10 Things To Do After a Bicycle Crash | Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. --- 10 Things To Do After a Bicycle Crash | Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. # Bicycle Crashes Last Updated: September 3, 2024 Reading Time: 6 minutes Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 2 years ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Washington DC Bicycle Accident Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/) » Bicycle Crashes What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $3.5 Million Bicycle Crash $ 1.8 Millon Bicycle Crash $1.5 Million Bicycle Crash $1 Million Bicycle Crash [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) They truly cared about me as a person. Tracy Koretsky Bicycle Accident Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Three of the firm’s attorneys discuss bicycle accident litigation in Washington, DC — including dooring, bike lane violations, and how the District’s Vulnerable User Recovery Act allows cyclists to recover damages even when partially at fault. The firm has secured over $3.5 million for a cyclist who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a dooring incident. Video Transcript **Speakers:** Joseph Cammarata, Stephen Ollar, Allan Siegel **Allan Siegel:** Being in the District of Columbia, which is a very bicycle friendly city, we get a lot of bicycle crashes. A lot of clients who are involved in bicycle crashes reach out to us and we’ve been handling them for years. Whether or not it’s somebody driving in a bike lane and somebody makes a turn and infringes upon the bike lane, whether it’s somebody who gets “doored” by another vehicle, in other words, a driver stops and opens his door while the bicyclist is driving with the right of way. That actually is against the law in the District of Columbia. You’re required to look before you open your door or whether or not it’s just a case where a bicycle’s riding on the roadway and with the right of way and a vehicle makes a turn or rear ends them. We get a lot of them, and we’ve been handling them for many, many years and very successfully. **Stephen Ollar:** Really, when you look at the law in DC what we talk about is vulnerable riders. So it’s not just bicyclists, it’s also motorcyclists. It’s people on e-scooters, even pedestrian, all of them who are, anybody who’s not inside a four wheeled vehicle, falls under that kind of category of a vulnerable user. And so the law in that area is consistent across the board. The law now in the District Columbia, is that if you fall into that kind of category, you could be up to 50% at fault and still be able to get a recovery. You can’t be more than 50% at fault, but as long as you’re 50% or less, you’re still eligible to get a recovery. So we do a lot of those cases and providing representation for people over hurt in those categories. **Joseph Cammarata:** So it’s important to reach out to a lawyer that knows what they’re talking about that’s going to be aggressive and going to be able to establish that your fault was slight, if any, and that you have a full opportunity to receive compensation for the harms and losses that you suffered. # Top 10 Things to Do After a Bicycle Crash ## 1. Call The Police After a crash with a motor vehicle, you should call the police immediately. The police report will be an objective account of how the crash happened based on information gathered at the scene. This may help prove your version of the events if you later [submit a claim to the insurance company](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/how-to-claim-insurance-after-bike-accident-in-washington-dc/) or your case ends up in court. The police officers will also help to ensure that the driver and all potential witnesses give full and correct information. ## 2. Do Not Admit Fault While discussing the crash’s details with the police, you should never admit fault. This point is especially important because you might initially think that you contributed to the cause of the crash, throwing off the investigation, but then later learn that the [driver of the vehicle was actually at fault](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-vulnerable-user-recovery-act-of-2020/). This issue often comes into play for bicyclists who do not fully know their rights on the road and may think their actions were improper when in reality, their actions were completely lawful. ## 3. Exchange Information If you are in a [crash with a motor vehicle](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/), no matter how minor it may initially appear, it is important to exchange information. You should get the driver’s name, phone number, address, auto insurance company, policy number, driver’s license number, license plate number, the make and model of the vehicle, and the vehicle owner’s information if the driver does not own it. You may ride away from the incident feeling euphoric that you are alive after what could have been a very dangerous incident. Many bicyclists are full of adrenaline and do not begin to feel pain until a few miles down the road or even hours later. During the period of adrenaline-fueled shock, fractures, [traumatic brain injuries](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/brain-injuries/treatment-for-traumatic-brain-injury/), and many other serious injuries can go unnoticed. If you ride away without exchanging information only to discover that you are injured later, you will have no recourse to pursue compensation for your injuries. For [safety purposes](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/bike-safety/), you should always ride with your ID card, medical insurance card, emergency contact information, and list of medical conditions in case you suffer severe injuries, cannot communicate or need to be transported to the hospital. ## 4. Collect Evidence If you have been [injured in a crash](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/bike-crash-causes/), your first concern should be to call 911 for police and medical assistance. However, if you are well enough to remain on the scene, you should begin collecting evidence immediately. If it is safe to do so, take pictures and videos of the scene. This should include pictures of the damage to your bicycle, your injuries, damage to the vehicle involved, the roadway, bike lanes, street signs, traffic signals, crosswalks, and crash debris. If you ride with a GoPro or other similar device on your helmet or bike, you should immediately preserve and backup the recording. ## 5. Collect Witness Information Witnesses are often crucial in proving what happened in a [crash between a bike and a motor vehicle](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-vulnerable-user-recovery-act-of-2020/). Often times when drivers are [distracted](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/distracted-driving/) or reckless, they may not even know how a crash occurred, only the fact that they hit someone. In cases like this, a bicyclist may not even see the vehicle coming and also cannot fully describe how the crash happened. In these cases, a witness can help clarify the sequence of events to determine who is at fault. Even when you know exactly how the crash happened, the driver of the vehicle may remember or falsely tell a different version of the events. The driver may also tell a different version of the events down the road to the insurance company or in court. Witnesses’ accounts will help prove the truth in all of these scenarios. As soon as it is safe to do so, try to collect the names, phone numbers, addresses, and business cards, if they have one, of everyone who may have witnessed the crash. ## 6. Seek Medical Treatment After a crash with a motor vehicle, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible or as soon as you begin to feel pain. As we discussed earlier, your body may initially be in shock, and your doctor can help evaluate the potential for serious injuries. A delay in obtaining medical treatment may negatively affect any future insurance claim or [court case](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/?s=personal+injury+lawsuit) you may bring. Without a medical record definitively establishing your injuries soon after the crash, it may be difficult or even impossible to link any injuries you may later complain of back to when the crash happened. Unfortunately, the [injuries](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/common-injuries-from-bicycle-accidents-in-washington-dc/) that often result from crashes between a bicycle and a motor vehicle are very serious. These injuries include broken and fractured bones, neck and [back injuries](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/back-injuries/), crush injuries, face and scalp lacerations, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if you have experienced a TBI or even a life-threatening brain bleed. You do not need to hit your head to suffer a TBI, as it can also be caused by a jolt or blow to the body. If you suspect that you are suffering from any TBI-related symptoms, you should be immediately evaluated at an ER. ## 7. Do Not Communicate With The Adverse Insurance Company After the crash, the driver’s auto insurance company may contact you to discuss the incident. The representative calling you will likely sound friendly and helpful and may even offer you money, but it is important to remember that they are not looking out for your best interests. They are a business whose first interest is their company’s bottom line. Often they will push for a [quick settlement](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/how-long-does-a-personal-injury-claim-take/) to get the matter off their books. The insurance representative may ask you for a recorded statement about the crash. They hope you may contradict yourself or even admit fault in these statements. They are searching for ways to get out of paying you entirely. You have [no legal obligation to give a recorded statement](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/what-insurance-companies-dont-want-you-to-know-in-personal-injury-cases/) to the driver’s insurance company. If you choose to [hire an attorney](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/), the law firm will handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance company to ensure that your rights and interests are protected every step of the way. ## 8. Wait To Settle Your Case As mentioned previously, once the driver’s auto insurance company determines that their driver was at fault, they may try to settle your claim as quickly as possible. They may offer you compensation for your bike and compensation for your medical bills. The person you are negotiating with may sound like they want to give you money right away in an effort to help your own personal needs. However, in reality, the settlement may be offered without concern for your injuries’ true severity or your potential need for future medical treatment. You should wait until you fully know the extent of your injuries and your need for future treatment. As long as you are not waiting past the [statute of limitations](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/washington-dc-statute-of-limitations-for-personal-injury/) period to file a case in your jurisdiction, it is best to wait until you have completed all necessary medical treatment and have made a [full recovery](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/what-is-maximum-medical-improvement-mmi-after-a-car-accident/) until you consider a settlement with the driver’s insurance company. ## 9. Have Your Bike Inspected When agreeing to an amount for the damage to your bike, remember that the insurance adjuster likely knows much less about bikes than you do. You should have the damage to your bike inspected and estimated by a reputable bike shop. If necessary, have the shop declare the bike a total loss. In order to ensure that you get fair value for your bike, you may want to gather information regarding the sales price of your specific bike on the open market by consulting sites such as eBay, Craigslist, and Amazon. ## 10. Call a Lawyer – It’s Free [Certain bike crashes](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/common-bike-accidents-in-washington-dc/), especially on the congested streets of D.C., are [more common than others.](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-statistics/) In some cases, even the responding officers do not properly know the [laws regarding bicyclists](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-bike-laws/) and may issue unlawful citations. For example, dooring, traffic circle crashes, clipping, failure to yield the right of way at an intersection, failure to yield the right of way on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, passing too closely, and taking the lane are all [common bike crashes](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/common-bike-accidents-in-washington-dc/) which can result in unlawful citations. If you have been involved in a crash with a motor vehicle, you should be sure that all laws which protect bicyclists’ rights have been properly evaluated in regard to your specific case. Often, people turn to an attorney they previously worked with to draft a will or help with a family matter. However, the area of personal injury, specifically in [bike laws](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/bike-laws-in-washington-dc/), requires the knowledge and experience that comes from regularly handling and litigating these cases. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, we have been successfully fighting for the rights of injured bicyclists for over four decades. #### If you or someone you care about has recently been injured in a [bicycle accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/) that was not your fault, allow a Washington, DC personal injury lawyer from Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. to review your case and determine if you may be eligible to recover compensation. Call (202) 659-8600 for a FREE consultation. [Watch Our Video Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The bicycle accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represent injured cyclists across the Washington, D.C. metro area, including Virginia ([Arlington bike accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/arlington-va/), [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/alexandria/), and [Fairfax County bicycle injury claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/fairfax-va/)) and Maryland ([Silver Spring cyclist injury cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/silver-spring/)), and we also handle [Capital Bikeshare claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/washington-dc-capital-bikeshare-accident-attorney/) and [e-bike injury matters](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/electric-bicycles/) throughout the District. Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio ## Related Articles Read More Blog Articles E-Bike Injuries How Is An E-Bike Different From a Bicycle? Washington, DC, E-Bike Accident Lawyer DC Bike Accident Attorneys Do Bicycles Have To Obey Traffic Laws In Maryland? Do Bicycles Have To Obey Traffic Laws In Virginia? Bicycle Safety Tips Silver Spring Bicycle Accident Lawyer Bicycle Accident Attorney Fairfax, VA Dangers Of Riding a Bicycle at Night Biking at Night Imagine you’re pedaling down a quiet, tree-lined street as the sun sets. 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