Cycling is an environmentally friendly, fun, and cheap way to move around, but if you use your bike a lot in your daily life, you probably worry about traffic accidents.

And you should.

Statistics demonstrate that cyclists face higher risks in traffic than drivers.

As a cyclist, you’re more exposed to physical trauma than someone who’s inside a vehicle. An impact can leave you severely injured and destroy your bicycle.

Knowing what to do after a cycling accident can give you some peace of mind while on the road. Below are some steps that you may take:

1. Contents

   Find A Good Lawyer

The most severe bicycle accidents involve collisions with cars, buses, trucks, and other vehicles operated by negligent or distracted drivers. If you crush your bike because of someone else’s careless behavior in traffic, you have to hold the person accountable.

To protect your legal rights and collect damages for the tangible and intangible losses associated with the accident, you need a good lawyer. While you recover from your injuries, the lawyer will deal with insurance providers and authorities on your behalf, taking care of all the legal and bureaucratic details of your case.

To discuss your case with lawyers that have vast experience dealing with bicycle accident settlements and lawsuits, you can contact a law firm like Lamber Goodnow. You’ll find expert lawyers who understand your struggle. With their help, you can get a much more favorable settlement than you could ever get on your own. The collected damages should help you maintain your quality of life as if the accident never happened. A good lawyer will help ensure that the person responsible for the accident pays for your medical bills, bicycle repairs, lost wages, and mental distress.

2. Purchase High-End Protective Gear

A bus or truck can crush a bike, whereas a bike can rarely cause more than a dint on a vehicle. Keeping this information in mind is critical for your safety, but don’t let it deter you from following your passion for cycling. There are many ways to minimize your risks so you can enjoy your bicycle rides more confidently. If you’ve had a bicycle accident, now it’s the perfect time to invest in higher-end protective gear.

Many cyclists feel anxious about going for a ride after an accident, but just the thought that you have the best protective gear on the market can assuage your fears. Although upgrading your gear can be a substantial investment, it’s well worth it, considering that it can save your life. If your accident was caused by a negligent party, you can use the collected damages to upgrade your bike to better safety standards. You cannot control how other traffic participants treat you, so it’s crucial to do everything that is in your control to protect yourself.

3. Start Cycling Again

A bicycle accident can trigger severe anxiety towards cycling. In your mind, an activity that used to bring you joy has become a threat to your life. Thus, anxiety about getting back on the bicycle is to be expected. However, if you love cycling, you shouldn’t let a negligent or distracted driver kill your passion for the road. Once you’re back in good physical shape, start going for rides again. The more you wait, the more fear and insecurity will build up in your mind, and your confidence will erode. A successful recovery is both physical and psychological.

Although starting cycling again can benefit you immensely, don’t ride in heavy traffic immediately. Treat yourself as if you were a beginner. Choose roads with little or no traffic or empty trails. Only ride in areas where you feel comfortable and where safety risks are minimal. For example, choose paved bike lanes or parks until you feel fully confident that you can deal with traffic again. Avoiding your bicycle for too long will make it increasingly more difficult to retrieve the joy of riding. Another good idea that will help you recover faster is to ride in groups. Find a group of local cyclists and join them on their rides. If you have a friend or partner who loves going for a ride, ask them to accompany you.

Overcoming a bicycle accident can be a physical, mental, and legal struggle. Follow the tips above to enjoy a quicker recovery and return to normal life with as little inconvenience as possible. Don’t forget that as a cyclist, you have the right to be on the road just as much as everyone else, and others are legally and morally required to respect this right.