Expecting the Unexpected: What to Do in Case of an Accident

Expecting the Unexpected: What to Do in Case of an Accident

THE ONE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT FALLING IS THAT YOUR body will immediately respond by flooding your system with a wonderful, magical drug called adrenaline. It will make you feel a huge surge of energy and will take away a good amount of any pain you have. Its job is to temporarily make you feel like everything is fine and dandy. The more extensive the injury, the more powerful the surge your body will send. Although fantastic, you just have to keep in mind that most likely, everything is not okay and you won’t know for sure until the adrenaline wears off and you see a doctor. As with any drug, you don’t want to be riding—or making decisions—while intoxicated.

If You Fall 

DON’T GET RIGHT UP. Give yourself a moment on the ground to check yourself over. Broken bones often don’t hurt more than bruises or sprains.

DON’T EXPECT TO RIDE HOME. On your way to work for that big meeting? Your husband’s birthday party is tonight? Time to make alternate plans. Right now you may need a ride home or a trip to urgent care to get checked over.

KEEP WARM. If it’s cold out, put on a jacket if you don’t already have one. Adrenaline and shock go hand and hand, so you’ll lose your body warmth quickly if it’s cold.

DRINK WATER. This will help your body equalize the adrenaline surge. It also gives you something to do and burns the excess energy.

ACCEPT HELP. No matter what the cause, it’s embarrassing and a little humiliating to find yourself on the ground. But don’t let your ego (and adrenaline) convince you that you’re a hero and can take care of yourself. If other people offer to check your bike or give you a lift, take them up on it. Usually others are a better judge of how hurt you are—often because you can’t see how bad your scrapes and bruises are.

IF YOU HIT YOUR HEAD, DO NOT KEEP RIDING. Head injuries are serious business. You are as likely to have a concussion from a secondary bump as you are from a direct impact—and either way your helmet has been compromised. Get a lift.

If You Are Hit by a Vehicle 

FOLLOW THE ABOVE GUIDELINES AND . . .

STAY CALM. That adrenaline? It can also make you get very angry or upset with the driver—especially if he or she caused the crash. Sometimes disorientation will also cause you to apologize profusely—even if it wasn’t your fault. Don’t apologize or accuse, concentrate on taking care of yourself and your bicycle.

CALL THE POLICE. In some states or cities they may not come out to the scene, in others they’ll be there in a flash. Either way, plan on filing your own accident report at the DMV within 36 hours.

GET THE DRIVER’S INFO. This means exchange names, driver’s license numbers, registration, insurance, and any other info you would get if two motor vehicles were involved.

SAVE YOUR FILES. If you’re carrying a computer or phone that tracks your route with GPS, save the file as evidence in case of future disputes.

GET INFO FROM WITNESSES. On TV, the cops would do this for you, but in reality it’s your job to secure eyewitnesses. If someone saw the incident, get his or her name and contact info.

IF THE DRIVER FLEES . . . try to get the vehicle make, model, license plate number, and a description of the driver. Try to find eyewitnesses. In all states it’s a federal crime to leave the site of an accident you were involved in, and moves the severity up to “hit-and-run” status. Still call the police.