Recently, a father of 5 was riding his bike along PCH when he was struck and seriously wounded by a hit and run driver. While the man did survive, his injuries are so severe and life-changing that he will require 24/7 care and monitoring for the rest of his life. Our thoughts are with the hit and run victim and his family.

Bicycle hit and runs are all too common

Unfortunately, these type of hit and run accident stories involving cyclists are not uncommon. Indeed, many of them end in the accident victims’ death. Many people mistakenly think that if they or a loved one are injured in a hit and run accident, that they don’t have any recourse or legal rights. This could not be further from the truth. You need the assistance of an accident attorney recognized as a expert in the field of uninsurance / underinsurance (UI / UIM).

Bike hit and run accidents happen in the blink of an eye. Maybe the driver is texting or changing the radio station when he swerves into the cyclist. Or maybe the driver is just not paying attention. Regardless of the reason for the driver’s negligence, it is not unusual for a reckless driver to crash into a cyclist and then continue driving without even stopping to check on the well-being of the cyclist.

Next steps after a bicycle hit and run

1. Call 911. If you’ve been hit by a driver who fled the scene, it is imperative that you call 911 and file a police report. The police can document the scene of the accident and thoroughly investigate your case. Using their extensive resources, they may be able to locate the driver. Even if the driver cannot be found, a police report is crucial to your insurance claim.

2. Seek medical attention. This is important whether or not you think you have been injured, as some injuries pop up later. You do not want your insurance company to downplay the severity of your injuries, and without a professional medical report, it could be easier to do so.

3. Inform your insurance company. But hold off an making any official statements until you complete step #4…

4. Hire a bicycle hit and run lawyer. You want someone who understands the law, your rights, and how insurance companies work (generally not in your best interest).

For more information on what to do after a hit and run on a bike, contact top Woodland Hills hit and run lawyer Barry P. Goldberg today.