Move to the sidewalk – Get yourself and your bike out of the road, if possible. Ask others to direct traffic if it’s not possible to move you due to injuries.

Assume that you are injured – It’s common for people to say “I’m fine,” but really you have no idea. It may take an hour for pain to set in; it may not be until the next morning. Broken collarbones, fractured ribs, and concussions are all injuries that may not be immediately evident. Do not let your initial assessment of your injuries tell you to treat the situation casually.

Documentation – is the name of the game you want a paper trail beginning at the scene. The more documentation you have, the better. Do not rely on the drivers to give you their information; ask to see insurance cards and driver licenses.

Witnesses – Names and phone numbers. Don’t be shy; ask people for their information before they start walking away. The facts may seem clear at the scene, but memories fade and stories change. You may need statements from neutral third parties later on.

Drivers – Collect names, addresses, phone numbers, driver license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information (policy number, company)

Pictures – If anyone has a camera or cell phone camera, take pictures of anything and everything.
Request an aid unit if necessary or get a ride to the closest ER.
Notify the police. If there is any injury or death, or if property damage exceeds $700 to any person’s property, you must notify the WSP, city policy or county sheriff.

Assess your bike – Is it rideable? Do not ride away on your bike if it is significantly damaged. Even if your bike appears rideable, it is best to call a friend or a taxi for a ride.

Hiring an attorney – When is the best time to hire an attorney? It’s best to enlist legal assistance from the outset, but the only deadline you need to keep in mind is the statute of limitations – 3 years from the date of the collision. Do not procrastinate. It may be difficult to find an attorney if you are 6 months or less from the 3 year mark.

Collision report – Did an officer investigate? If not, then there is no official documentation for what occurred. A Police Traffic Collision Report (PTCR) may only be completed by an officer. A Motor Vehicle Collision Report may be completed by a citizen.
A Motor Vehicle Collision Report (MVCR) is required when:

Obtain a blank MVCR from the Washington State Patrol’s (WSP) website (MVCR form) or your local police precinct.
Request a copy of the PTCR relating to your collision through the WSP for $5 (request form).

Making a statement – Your insurance company or the at fault driver’s insurance company will call you to take your statement about what happened. Your response depends on which once calls.
You are under no obligation to give a statement to any party unless it’s your insurance company. Ignore any communication from the driver’s insurer.
Do not ignore your insurer.
If anyone else calls you and you are unsure whether you should speak with them, call for advice.

Documentation – Continue the recordkeeping you started at the scene. Retain receipts for all of your accident related expenses (prescriptions, repair bills, receipts for any replacement equipment, etc). If you sustained injuries, then take pictures throughout your treatment and recovery. If you suffer from deep road rash and nasty bruises, take pictures. If you are spending a week in bed, take a picture of yourself in bed. It may seem silly, but you will never say “I wish I hadn’t taken so many pictures.”

Insurance companies – Who you contact depends on the coverage you carry and the coverage the at fault driver carries.
If you have no healthcare insurance and no auto policy – you will need to make a claim under the driver’s PIP coverage (see “Insurance Basics”). In Washington, if you are hit on your bicycle then the driver’s PIP coverage may be primary.

If you have healthcare insurance, but no auto policy – you will need to make a claim under the driver’s PIP coverage and your healthcare insurance will be secondary. Oftentimes providers will bill your healthcare instead of submitting the bills to the PIP carrier for payment – that is fine.

If you have no healthcare insurance, but you do have an auto policy – you may open a PIP claim under your own policy or the driver’s policy. Since there will be no healthcare insurance available, you want to make sure that the providers you see will bill a PIP policy, if not, they may require you to pay cash (PIP will then reimburse you).

Focus on your recovery – It is your number one job to get better! Do not play attorney or investigator – hire a professional. You are a patient; treat with your doctors, follow the medical advice you are given, and take an active role in your recovery.