The dust-yourself-off attitude
As she bent down to rescue her newly purchased 2009 Specialized Vita bike, Sarah turned from white to crimson. Clearly embarrassed, she quickly gathered herself before hobbling away…
Following a collision, a reaction such as this is natural among cyclists. Even though they have the same rights as drivers, cyclists rarely use them, instead succumbing to the instant hit of humiliation.
But should cyclists react so stoically?
Perhaps this culture has formed because cyclists don’t have the same sense of entitlement as other road users. They, unwittingly, treat themselves as second-class citizens allowing drivers continue to get away with poor driving habits.Won’t that just perpetrate the dangers for other road users? The issue of Cyclists Rights needs to be constantly in the spotlight – not just after a fatality happens.
Granted, it’s hard to think straight when an accident occurs. But cyclists should make every effort to act in the same way that every other road user would. If they’ve had the misfortune to be involved in a collision that wasn’t their fault, they’re entitled to make a claim for compensation. After all, motorists wouldn’t think twice about claiming compensation against another driver – so why should a cyclist?
Be prepared
If you are a cyclist you should always be prepared incase an accident occurs. Make sure you;
- Have your doctor’s number saved in your phone.
- Know the route you travel so you can report your location.
- Have your ‘incase of emergency’ contact saved in your phone.
Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, accidents can still happen. Cyclists who are involved in a collision should follow these 8 simple steps immediately after an accident.
- Move to safety
In the aftermath of a collision it’s difficult to think straight. But you should immediately get off the road and move to a safe spot to avoid any oncoming traffic. - Call the police
If you are injured, in shock or can’t get the driver’s details you should contact the police immediately. They’ll be able to assist you. - Co-operate
You should answer any questions the police may have and try to be as helpful as possible. - Doctor
Even if you feel fine you should still see a doctor. Injuries often take a few days to show up. You should give your doctor the full details of your accident. - Take photos
Gather as much information as possible at the scene of the accident especially photographic evidence. - Witnesses
If you decide to make a claim witnesses will play an important part in helping you claim compensation. Take note of any witnesses and their details at the scene of the accident. - Don’t discuss who is at fault
Never admit who is at fault at the scene of the accident. Also don’t accept money from the driver, as this might affect your claim for compensation. - Contact an experienced personal injury solicitor
The best thing to do is to contact a solicitor who has dealt with cases involving cyclists before.
Your responsibility
Cyclists need to take responsibility if they want to be treated as legitimate road users. If an accident happens they need to report the accident just like a motorist would. A bike crash can be a serious matter, and the last thing you want is to be left out-of-pocket when an accident is not your fault.