Have you ben injured in a bicycle accident? Know your rights.

The moments following a bicycle accident can be overwhelming, but the steps you take may significantly impact your health and any future legal claim.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Your health comes first. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, some conditions—including concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue injuries—may not appear until hours or days later. Prompt medical treatment also creates important documentation linking your injuries to the accident.

 Call the Police

Report the collision and request that law enforcement respond to the scene whenever possible. An official police report can provide valuable evidence regarding how the accident occurred.

Gather Evidence

If you are physically able, collect as much information as possible, including:

• Photographs of the accident scene
• Damage to your bicycle
• Vehicle damage
• Road conditions
• Traffic signs and signals
• Your visible injuries
• Contact information for witnesses
• The driver's name, insurance information, and license plate number

Preserve Your Bicycle and Equipment

Do not repair or dispose of your bicycle, helmet, clothing, or other damaged equipment. These items may serve as important evidence in your case.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your insurance company if required by your policy. Provide only the basic facts of the collision.

Contact the Law Office of Ruben Ruiz. Speaking with an experienced attorney early in the process can help protect your rights and prevent costly mistakes when dealing with insurance companies.

Don't Leave the Scene

Remain at the accident scene until it is appropriate to leave. Leaving too soon may complicate the investigation.

Don't Admit Fault

Even a simple apology may be interpreted as accepting responsibility. The cause of an accident should be determined after a thorough investigation.

Don't Give a Recorded Statement

The at-fault driver's insurance company may ask you for a recorded statement shortly after the accident. You are generally not required to provide one without first consulting an attorney.

Don't Accept the First Settlement Offer

Insurance companies often attempt to resolve claims quickly before the full extent of injuries and future medical needs are known.

Don't Post About the Accident on Social Media

Photos, comments, or updates posted online may later be used by insurance companies to challenge your claim.

Don't Delay Medical Treatment

Missed appointments or long gaps in treatment may allow an insurance company to argue that your injuries were not serious.

Don't Throw Away Evidence

Keep damaged clothing, your helmet, bicycle, repair estimates, receipts, and all medical records.

Bicycle accidents often occur because motorists fail to recognize or safely share the road with cyclists. A moment of negligence—whether it's looking at a phone, failing to yield, or opening a vehicle door without checking for approaching bicycles—can result in life-changing injuries. Because bicyclists have little protection in a collision, even low-speed impacts can lead to serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences.

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Failure to yield the right-of-way
• Unsafe lane changes
• Running stop signs or red lights
• Opening a vehicle door into the path of a cyclist ("dooring")
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Unsafe passing
• Failure to check blind spots before turning or merging

These types of collisions frequently result in significant injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
• Broken or fractured bones
• Road rash and severe abrasions
• Facial and dental injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Shoulder, knee, and joint injuries
• Permanent disability or long-term impairment