Right after an injury, your priorities should be safety and treatment. But once you’re able, the steps you take in the first days can strongly affect how your claim is evaluated.
Do this when possible:
- Get medical care promptly (urgent care, ER, or a provider that will document your symptoms and exam findings).
- Write down the crash timeline while it’s fresh: where you were riding, what the other vehicle did, and what you remember about signals, lane position, and lighting.
- Photograph the scene if you can: roadway conditions, traffic controls, curb ramps/driveways, signs, and any debris.
- Preserve witness information: names, phone numbers, and what they observed (especially if someone saw the turn/yield moment).
- Save everything: medical paperwork, bike repair estimates, receipts, and any messages with insurance.
Avoid giving a recorded or detailed statement to an insurer before you’ve had your medical situation documented. Adjusters may ask questions that sound routine but can be used to narrow liability or reduce value.


