The weather is finally getting nicer in Oklahoma which means that we will begin to see more and more cyclists on the roads. In recent years, cycling has become a popular means of transportation for people all across the country, and for good reason. Whether opting to get to and from work on two wheels for environmental, health, or financial reasons, there are more cyclists on Oklahoma’s roads than ever before. Unfortunately, this also means more bike-related accidents. A cycling collision with a car, truck, or other hazard can be absolutely devastating to the cyclist, even if they are wearing a helmet. In some instances, drivers may not be used to sharing the road with cyclists, causing them to forget to keep an eye out for them when turning, changing lanes, backing out of the driveway, and so on. In other instances, drivers are simply unwelcoming to cyclists and make the decision to drive recklessly, endangering the lives of cyclists and others on the roads.
One of the most important things to remember following an accident involving a cyclist and a car is that you must do everything you can to follow proper procedure when filing a report. With the help of an experienced Oklahoma bike accident attorney from AMA Law, you can ensure no steps are missed and that you have a better chance of gaining compensation for your injuries.
The Role of the Witness
The first step following a bike-car accident is to make sure the driver (as long as it isn’t a hit and run) stays at the scene until police arrive. If the driver is refusing to cooperate, try your best to write down their license plate number and notes on as many descriptors about the vehicle and the driver as possible. This will be extremely important in helping police find the car that hit you.
The second step is to look for witnesses at the scene. Witnesses could actually make a huge difference in holding the driver accountable for the accident, so do your best to find as many witnesses as possible. Make sure that you get everyone who witnesses the accident to write down, text, or email you their version of the events. It is important for witnesses to provide you with everything they saw pertaining to the accident as quickly as possible, since details of the crash are often harder to remember as time goes on. Furthermore, having a written record will be helpful in compiling a variety of points of view, especially if the case goes to trial.
We understand how unnerving these types of accidents can be, but we encourage you to try your best to contact as many witnesses as possible. Having multiple witnesses who saw and say the same thing will help strengthen your case in court down the road. If they are able to confirm that the driver was texting or appeared impaired, for example, it will help your case out in a major way. You will also want to see if any of the witnesses happened to take photos or videos of the accident or the events immediately following it. If the driver flees the scene, video and photographic testimony could make or break a case. Photos, videos, and firsthand accounts from witnesses will also help corroborate any testimony given, which is huge.
To learn more about Oklahoma’s laws regarding bike accidents or to set up a free consultation with one of our bike accident attorneys, please do not hesitate to contact AMA Law.