You’re pedaling down Crenshaw Boulevard on a sunny afternoon—then, in an instant, a car swerves, and you’re thrown to the pavement. A routine ride has just turned into a bicycle-car accident.
Moments like this are disorienting. Your body hurts, adrenaline spikes, and your mind races with questions: Am I okay? Who was at fault? How do I even start the recovery process?
You’re not alone if you’re wondering what to do after an accident. Bicycle accidents often lead to high medical bills, property damage, and an overwhelming tangle of insurance claims and legal steps. The decisions you make in the minutes and hours following a crash can determine whether you receive the fair compensation you deserve—or nothing at all.
This guide outlines the essential actions you should immediately take to protect your safety and legal rights.
Ensure Safety First: Get Off the Road & Assess Injuries
After a bicycle-car accident, your priority is safety. If you’re conscious and able to move, get off the road immediately to avoid further harm from oncoming traffic.
Check yourself and others for visible injuries like bleeding or broken bones—and don’t ignore less obvious signs of a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injuries, even if adrenaline masks the pain.
Call 911 right away. Emergency responders will provide medical care and create the official accident report you’ll need later for your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Next, it’s time to gather critical evidence.
Document the Scene: Evidence You’ll Need
Even if you’re shaken, gathering the proper evidence at the accident scene can make or break your personal injury claim. Use this checklist to ensure nothing vital is missed:
Type of Evidence | What to Capture | Why It Matters |
Photographs | – Scene layout – Damaged bicycle – Other vehicle(s) – Visible injuries | Visual proof for the insurance company and legal case |
Environmental Context | – Traffic lights or signs – Road conditions – Weather – Obstructions (e.g. potholes) | Shows how external road hazards or violations contributed |
Witness Information | – Names, phone numbers, emails – Brief statements (if possible) | Witness testimony helps establish the truth if fault is contested |
Video Surveillance | – Dashcam footage – Storefront cameras – Doorbell cameras | An independent video can confirm the timeline, actions, or the driver’s negligence |
Personal Notes | – Your recollection of the crash – Events leading up to it – Immediate symptoms or pain felt | Helps your personal injury attorney build a consistent, credible account for the legal process |
Keeping this evidence organized after bicycle crashes will support your case when the settlement negotiations with insurance companies begin, and ensure the insurance adjuster doesn’t minimize your injuries or losses.
Get Medical Attention and Preserve Medical Records
After a bicycle-car accident, even a seemingly minor bruise can mask a severe injury. What feels like soreness today may evolve into a spinal issue, nerve damage, or a delayed traumatic brain injury.
Even after minor accidents, seemingly minor discomfort can signal deeper issues like internal trauma, soft tissue damage, or a traumatic brain injury. Here’s what to do—and document:
Steps | What to Do | Why It Matters |
Seek Immediate Medical Attention | Visit urgent care, the ER, or your physician—even if symptoms seem mild | Early diagnosis prevents complications and shows you acted responsibly in your recovery |
Save Medical Bills | Collect invoices from hospitals, specialists, and pharmacies | Establishes your financial losses for the insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit |
Record Diagnoses & Test Results | Get copies of all X-rays, MRIs, lab work, and written diagnoses | This is known as “proof of injury”. It links your injuries directly to the accident, essential for proving causation and determining liable parties |
Track Treatment Plans | Save physical therapy referrals, follow-up instructions, or specialist notes | Shows the expected recovery path, especially for severe physical injuries or permanent impairment |
These medical records will play a central role in your personal injury claim, helping to prove the extent of your losses and the financial compensation you’re entitled to recover from your insurance providers. Our legal team helps you correctly document injuries and other crucial evidence to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
Report the Crash to Police and Insurance
Bicycle-car accident victims are legally required to file an accident report if there’s bodily injury or vehicle damage. This document becomes a cornerstone of your personal injury claim, offering an impartial account of the incident.
When speaking with law enforcement or your auto insurance company, provide only factual information. Avoid making statements about fault, apologies, or speculation, which can later be used against you during the settlement process.
Your insurance provider and claims adjuster will rely heavily on this report to evaluate liability and determine whether you’re entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and losses.
Consult our Bike-Auto Accident Lawyer in Crenshaw
After a serious crash, call Farahi Law Firm’s Bike-Car accident lawyer in Crenshaw. We are the difference between being dismissed by insurance and securing the best compensation for injuries you deserve. Our legal professionals investigate the accident scene, obtain traffic camera footage, gather medical records, and negotiate directly with insurance companies, trying to minimize your claim.
Under California’s comparative fault rules, even if you’re partially blamed for the bicycle-car accident, you may still recover financial compensation—but only if liability is argued correctly.
These claims often involve both economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, rehab costs) and non-economic damages like emotional distress, pain, PTSD, and loss of mobility. A skilled legal team helps quantify these losses and push for maximum compensation, ensuring you’re not left paying for someone else’s negligence.
Take action now!
It is essential to take immediate action after a bicycle-car accident.
Farahi Law Firm’s expert team in Crenshaw is here to guide you through the legal maze with compassion and clarity. Don’t face insurance companies or complex claims alone.
Contact Farahi Law Firm today for a free case review.
We fight for “The Medical Treatment You Need and the Money You Deserve.”
FAQs: What to Do After a Bicycle-Car Accident in California
Immediately move to safety and call 911. Request both police and EMS to ensure the accident report and medical care are documented. Take photos of the accident scene, collect insurance information, and avoid discussing fault. Quick action protects your health and strengthens your personal injury claim.
Not without legal counsel. Insurance companies may push for early statements or lowball offers. Anything you say can be used against you in the claims process. Let your personal injury attorney negotiate with the insurance provider and insurance adjuster to avoid weakening your case.
You may be entitled to economic damages like medical bills, lost income, and property damage, and non-economic damages such as emotional distress, pain, or loss of enjoyment. In severe cases involving permanent injury or spinal cord injuries, your attorney may also pursue maximum compensation for long-term losses.
Liability depends on the facts. The fault party could be the motorist (e.g., distracted or speeding), the bicyclist, or even a government entity for unsafe road design. An experienced attorney will gather evidence like traffic cam footage, medical records, and witness testimony to identify all responsible parties.
In California, the time limit—called the statute of limitations—is generally two years from the date of the motor vehicle accident. Missing this period could prevent you from filing a personal injury lawsuit, even if your injuries are serious.
