Immediate Steps After a Serious Bicycle Accident

Crashed and Confused in Seconds: What You Do Next Could Change Everything

You’re riding like any other day, maybe heading to work, meeting friends, or just clearing your head. If that ride ended in a crash, it’s time to start thinking about your next move and whether you need experienced bicycle accident attorneys on your side.

Right after a crash, your body gets flooded with adrenaline. That’s your survival instinct kicking in, but it’s also the reason you might think you’re okay when you’re not.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we get it. Crashes leave more than scrapes and broken bones. They leave you shaken, overwhelmed, and unsure of what comes next. If you’re in New York, you’ve got up to three years to file a claim. But in places like Maine, Vermont, or New Hampshire, the clock may run out much faster. Don’t let deadlines or insurance tactics block your path. Let us help take that weight off your shoulders so you can focus on getting better.

Get Off the Asphalt: Your Life Depends on It

This one’s non-negotiable: get to safety first. You’re in shock, adrenaline’s pumping, but if you’re in the road, get out of it. Fast. Cars don’t always see you in time. And the last thing you want is a second impact.

If you can, move to the sidewalk or a safer spot nearby. Don’t try to pick up your bike or argue with the driver. First, protect your body.

Then? Call 911. Don’t wait. Even if the other person says, “We can work this out,” don’t listen. Medical help needs to be on the way, and law enforcement needs to see the scene exactly as it is. In tragic crashes, these scenes can lead to serious legal action like pedestrian accident wrongful death claims. Missing documentation from the start is a nightmare to fix later.

And when EMTs show up, be honest. Tell them everything. Headache? Say it. Numb fingers? Speak up. That medical report could be your best ally down the line.

Snap It, Save It, Secure It: Why Evidence Disappears

Here’s what most people miss: accident scenes change fast. By the time you catch your breath, cars have moved, witnesses are gone, and any proof you had? It’s slipping away.

Take photos like your case depends on it, because it does. Your twisted front wheel, the cracked windshield, the skid marks, capture it all. Weather, street signs, lights, your helmet, every detail helps paint the real picture. And yes, it matters. Drivers are legally required to follow traffic signals and signs. Your pictures may prove they didn’t.

Got witnesses? Don’t let them vanish. Ask for names and numbers. They saw what happened, and their word might back up your own when the insurance company starts asking questions.

Before you leave the scene, make sure officers file an official report and that your side of the story gets recorded. It could be your only chance to get the truth on paper before memories fade or details get lost. If your side of the story isn’t included? That’s a problem. You’ll need that report later to support your claim.

Don’t Let a Smile Fool You: Insurers Are Coming for Your Story

Insurance adjusters sound friendly for a reason. They want you to talk. But every word you say could be used to reduce your claim. Harsh? Definitely. True? Absolutely.

They’ve done this before. You haven’t. Adjusters know how to twist even the smallest comment. Say “I think I’m okay”? Boom. Suddenly, your injury’s being downplayed.

Fast settlement offers? That’s their trap. Sounds nice when the bills are piling up, right? But what they’re offering might barely cover your ER visit, let alone months of recovery or missed work. Victims who rush often end up with nothing close to what they need. Just ask anyone stuck in a personal injury case delay.

Watch out for these red flags:

• Recorded calls asking “just a few questions”
• Lowball settlement offers
• Requests to sign anything early

Talk to someone who knows how this game is played, like seasoned bicycle accident attorneys, before saying a word to the other side.

The Clock’s Ticking: Laws Won’t Wait for You

Even if you do everything right, missing a deadline can erase your entire case.

In most personal injury claims, New York gives you three years to file. Sounds like a lot, but it flies by. Especially if you’re recovering. If a government agency was involved? You might only have 90 days to file a notice. That’s barely enough time to catch your breath.

Some cases fall under premises liability wrongful death if poorly maintained roads or bike paths caused the crash. These claims require extra steps and shorter timeframes.

Across state lines, things shift. In Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine, deadlines can be as short as one or two years. Miss them, and you may be out of options.

This isn’t meant to scare you. It’s to prepare you. Waiting costs more than time. It could cost you your entire case.

Recovery Isn’t Just Healing, It’s Getting Your Life Back

This isn’t just about broken bones or bruises. It’s about the life you had before the crash and the struggle to get it back.

You might miss work. You might avoid riding again. You might wake up every day in pain, feeling like things will never go back to “normal.” That’s real. And it’s exhausting.

Sometimes, the damage isn’t just physical. Losing a loved one to a cycling crash is devastating, and that pain doesn’t fade quickly. These are the kinds of losses often addressed in wrongful death lawsuits, where families seek more than money, but also closure.

Medical bills can snowball fast. Physical therapy. Counseling. Lost wages. Insurance rarely covers what you truly need to move forward.

True recovery may require:

• Ongoing medical treatment
• Therapy for physical or emotional trauma
• Financial help for missed work or home care

You’re not asking for a favor. You’re fighting for your future.

When the Ride Stops, Let Recovery Start Strong

You didn’t plan for this crash. You didn’t ask for the injuries, the anxiety, or the mountain of medical bills. But here you are and now it’s time to take the next step.

You don’t have to handle everything on your own. If you're overwhelmed, hurt, and unsure what to do next, reach out to trusted bicycle accident attorneys like Horn Wright, LLP. Our team understands what you’re going through and can help you fight for the compensation you need to truly move forward.