I've recently renewed my membership to our local bike advocacy group. I hope most communities have an active organization who is a proponent of cyclists' rights. They offer a great service to the cycling community by creating a voice loud enough for local governments to hear. Our bike advocacy group spends a lot of time campaigning for safer bike routes and bike parking ordinance. Of course they provide information for current bike commuters and utilitarian cyclists, but they also provide inspiration and resources for would be members of a cycling lifestyle.
Upon renewing my membership I received a handy little card in the mail along with some stickers, pamphlets and reflective discs, which I'm sure are meant for my bar plugs. As exciting as reflective discs are, the most informative bit of info included in the packet was the handy little card. On this card are recommended steps for what to do if you're in a crash. Especially one with a motor vehicle. Although cycling accidents are statistically uncommon, it's reported as the single largest impediment to getting more people on bikes, according to bicyclelaw.com. Here's a list of what to do.
1. If you are in pain, stay put. Don’t try to move. You could end up injuring yourself even more
2. Call 9-1-1 or tell someone else to do it for you.
3. Make sure to get the driver’s a) Name b) License Plate c) Insurance Info d) Contact Info. If there are any witnesses, get their name and contact info as well. Although you may be injured and incapacitated at the accident scene, that is your only chance to identify the motorist who hit you and the witness(s). After the ambulance takes you away, you will never get another chance to obtain this. It is not uncommon for the police officers to fail to get this information after the victim has left the scene. Ask someone to write down the tag number and their own information and give it to you, or put it in you pocket.
4. Get a police report to officially document the crash. Police are REQUIRED to create a report if a participant in the incident is injured. An injury, no matter how small, may be the only way to guarantee a police report. You will need one if you seek legal compensation for medical bills, etc. Do not take minor injuries lightly. It is recommended that you either go to the hospital immediately or visit a doctor soon after the incident. They can check for a concussion and other less obvious, but serious injuries.
5. Contact a lawyer.
6. Contact your city councilperson and tell them your story and that you want safer cycling conditions in the city.
More info can be found here: bike-pgh.org.
It's regional but provides great links and common information.
Here are a few other resources from a quick search on the web:
www.bicyclelaw.com
www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/article-30255.html
www.expertlaw.com/library/car-accidents/car-bicycle.html
