Right after a crash, the best “legal strategy” is usually practical and immediate:
- Get medical care promptly (urgent care or ER if needed). Even if symptoms seem mild, document what you feel and when.
- Record the scene while you can: photos of the roadway, intersections, traffic control, your bicycle condition, and any vehicle damage.
- Write down a timeline: what happened first, where you were riding, what the other driver did immediately before impact.
- Collect contact info for anyone who saw the crash (including bystanders and anyone who captured video).
- Be cautious with statements to insurance. Don’t guess about fault—let the evidence and medical record do the work.
These steps matter in Washington because insurers often evaluate claims based on consistency: the crash story, the medical timeline, and whether your documentation supports causation.


