What Should I Do If I Am a Bicyclist Hurt in an Auto Accident?

Here are guidelines to help you if you are a bicyclist in a motor vehicle accident:

1. Stay calm.  Do not panic or leave the scene of the accident.
2. If possible, call the police.  If anyone is injured, ask for emergency medical personnel. 
3. If the police do not come to the scene of the accident, report it immediately to the local police department in the community where the accident occurred.
4. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.  Often, very serious injuries are not immediately apparent. 
5. Obtain the following information from the other driver(s) involved in the accident:  name, address, phone number, drivers license number (including expiration date), license plate number, registration, and insurance information, including the specific insurance policy number.
6. If the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident is not the same as the driver, you should also obtain the owner's name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
7. Seek out all witnesses to the accident and get their names, addresses, and phone numbers. 
8. Promptly notify your own insurance company that you were in a Michigan bicycle accident.  Ask for an insurance claim number and make it clear that you are claiming Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, to preserve all of your rights under your own insurance policy.  (See our No-Fault section below for more information on this important topic.)
9. If the driver who struck you fled the scene of the accident, you still must make a police report and notify your insurance company immediately about the accident.  Some insurance policies require that you give notice of your intent to make a claim due to an unidentified driver within 30 days of the accident.  If you are in a hit-and-run accident, consult an attorney immediately.
10. If the driver/owner of the vehicle that struck you did not have motor vehicle insurance (which is a violation of Michigan law), immediately tell your own insurance company that you claim your rights to any uninsured motorist coverage.  Some insurance companies require prompt notification of such claims, and reserve the right to deny benefits to those who do not follow the strict regulations of their policies.

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a bicycle accident, talk with an experienced Michigan bicycle accident lawyer today.  Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form now.

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