Lewis & Tompkins, P.C. | Maryland | Virginia | Washington, D.C.

Free Consultations
202-296-0666

PLEASE NOTE: To protect your safety in response to the threats of COVID-19, we are offering our clients the ability to meet with us in person, via telephone or through video conferencing. Please call our office to discuss your options.

Lewis & Tompkins, P.C. | Maryland | Virginia | Washington, D.C.

Free Consultations
202-296-0666

PLEASE NOTE: To protect your safety in response to the threats of COVID-19, we are offering our clients the ability to meet with us in person, via telephone or through video conferencing. Please call our office to discuss your options.

The D.C. Area’s Premier Personal Injury Law Firm

  1. Home
    2.  » 
  2. Motor Vehicle and Transit Accidents
    3.  » 
  3. Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents
    4.  » 
  4. Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents Questions
    5.  » What should I do if I’m in a bicycle accident, but I think I’m all right? Do I really need to report the accident if it doesn’t seem serious?

What should I do if I’m in a bicycle accident, but I think I’m all right? Do I really need to report the accident if it doesn’t seem serious?

Even if you don’t believe you are injured in a bike accident, it is still important to alert the authorities about the incident. The truth is, there are thousands of Washington, D.C, Maryland, and Virginia bike accidents every year, and in many cases, cyclists don’t always realize the extent of the accident, and their injuries, until after the scene has been cleared. For your personal protection, and for the protection of the other party involved, it is always best to notify the authorities immediately following a bicycle collision, and never leave the scene until all necessary information has been gathered.

Why involve the police after a bike accident?

  • Police can create an unbiased account of what actually happened at the scene.
  • Having a documented police report available can be crucial if insurance companies need to get involved. This official documentation can work to your advantage should the insurance companies question the events that happened.
  • Choosing to report a bicycle accident can also help to make the community, and its’ roads, safer for future cyclists, by providing authorities with accurate bicycling statistics that can influence laws, safety regulations, and manufacturing standards.

You could still be injured, even if you don’t show symptoms immediately.

In intense situations, a person’s adrenaline and endorphin levels tend to rise, specifically for the purpose of keeping pain from being felt. This is the same reason why some individuals are able to lift crushed cars to rescue accident victims or play through serious sports injuries during important games. You might not realize that you’ve been injured until after these hormonal levels have returned to normal. This could be hours after an accident occurred. Getting checked out immediately by emergency medical personnel might help to ensure that you’ve not sustained any serious injuries as a result of your bicycle collision.

After alerting the authorities, be sure to contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney to help you understand the legal impact of your accident. A lawyer can help you understand the contributing factors to your accident, which party (or parties) might be responsible, and what your next steps should be.

At Lewis & Tompkins, we’ve dedicated ourselves to fighting for the rights of bike accident victims in Washington, D.C, Maryland and Virginia for years, and are available for a free, convenient consultation to discuss your bicycle collision case and what your options may be. Call our personal injury law offices today at 202-296-0666 to schedule your appointment.