Incidents can range from verbal harassment by a driver to a crash that causes serious injury or death. If police are called, they will determine whether to report an incident or a crash. Under Maine and New Hampshire laws, reportable crashes are incidents that involve a vehicle and either cause personal injury or death or at least $1,000 worth of property damage.
If you are involved in a bike crash or incident, here are some important steps to follow.
All bike incidents
- Item Try to get the license plate number and a description of the vehicle involved
- Call the local police to report the incident
Bike crashes
- Make sure you are safe and out of the way of other vehicles
- Stay calm, signal for assistance, and ask for help blocking traffic
- Ensure appropriate calls are placed to 911 and the police
- Report all injuries to first responders, regardless of whether they may initially seem minor (especially true of head injuries)
- If it’s recommended, accept emergency medical treatment and/or transport
- Collect and preserve evidence
- Ask anyone involved in the incident, as well as witnesses, to stay at the scene until police arrive
- Collect (or ask someone else to) information from the responsible driver, including name, license plate number, state of issue, and insurance information
- Photograph (or ask someone else to) everything:
- Scene of the crash, road conditions, and weather conditions
- Vehicle involved, including damage to vehicle, license plate, inspection sticker, registration information, headlights, and tires
- Your bicycle, clothing, helmet, accessories, and other damage
- Physical injuries and keep track of your medical treatment
- Make sure your bicycle is stored in a safe place if you can’t take it with you
Protect your rights
- Get the responding officer’s name and badge number
- Confirm the police will file a crash report
- If relevant, suggest the police issue a traffic citation and/or criminal summons
- Ask the officer to inspect driver’s cell phone
- Later, ask an attorney about your case, rights, and potential legal remedies
- Report your case to relevant insurance companies after checking with your attorney about giving statements
- Document lost wages and opportunity costs