If you get involved in a bicycle accident in Nevada, you need to know what steps to take to keep yourself safe and to properly document your collision for the record and support your Las Vegas bicycle accident case. This includes reporting the bicycle accident through the proper channels so that you create a record of where you were, what happened and who could be at fault.
Don’t Delay Medical Care
The first thing you need to do after a bicycle accident is get medical care for your injuries. Bicycle collisions can cause serious harm to the vulnerable bicyclist. Common injuries range from facial injuries and traumatic brain damage to broken bones and road rash.
Immediate medical care shows an insurance company that you were hurt in the bicycle accident, and that your injuries were not pre-existing. It also allows you to get the treatments you need to recover and heal with as much success as possible.
Gather Information
The more information and evidence you can collect at the scene of the accident, the better. If you can, document key facts and details, such as the time, date and location of the bicycle accident; the name of the driver and their vehicle identification number (VIN); eyewitness name; and photos of the accident scene. Look for traffic surveillance cameras, dashcams and GoPro footage that may have recorded the accident.
Call 911 at the Scene
Your first avenue for reporting a bicycle accident in Nevada is making a phone call to local law enforcement. Dial 911 using your cell phone from the scene to report the crash. If you appear to be badly injured, request an ambulance.
Any traffic accident in Nevada that causes injury, death or at least $750 in property damage must be reported to the police. You should always report a bicycle accident, as the police report can contain key information for your insurance claim.
When the police arrive at the scene, tell them your version of events for the police report. Don’t admit fault. Write down your police report number. This can be used later to call the precinct and request a copy for insurance purposes.
Report the Accident to the DMV
Bicycle accidents are typically serious enough to require a police officer to come to the scene. If an officer does not investigate the scene and submit a report, however, you may need to send in your own accident report (SR-1 Report of Traffic Crash) to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of the accident.
File an Insurance Claim
In Nevada, injured cyclists have the right to seek financial compensation for their injuries and losses by filing an insurance claim with the driver’s policy. You should call the insurer as soon as possible after the crash, within the first 24 to 72 hours, to report the accident. The insurance company will ask for evidence, such as a copy of the police report or statements from eyewitnesses.
Describe the accident, but don’t admit fault or exaggerate the details. Do not give the insurance company a recorded statement about your case. You should also avoid falling for tactics the insurance claims adjuster may use to take advantage of you, such as rejecting your claim without basis or failing to properly investigate your bicycle crash.
If you are struggling to achieve a fair settlement for your bicycle accident from an insurance provider, contact Koch & Brim, LLP. We will help you maximize your claim’s value while getting the medical care and emotional support you need.