Deciding to ditch your car and start biking to work is not only good for your health but also for the environment. Even the employers encourage employees to hop on their bicycles, by organizing a Bike to Work Week every year. It is one of the safest ways to travel and exercise.
However, accidents can still happen in every form of travel. If you are wondering how to handle these situations properly – continue reading. The main key is to be prepared, to know what to do, and who to call for help. You should also be aware that many business owners and their staff don’t have a clear understanding of worker’s insurance when it comes to bike-to-work injuries.
Let’s take a look and clarify everything there is to know about this topic. Here are some basic rules to follow:
Give or Ask For First Aid
In most cases, you won’t even need to call an ambulance. If you get away with some bruises or small cuts – consider yourself lucky. Still, make sure you sanitize the wound area with an antiseptic solution. Do it before you dress the wound to stop the bleeding so that it doesn’t get infected.
If you feel light-headed, nauseous, or you have any doubt about your condition, please go to a hospital or see your doctor. If you have hit your head this is absolutely necessary. Be responsible for your health and safety.
Check Your Insurance Policies
If you are injured in an accident and need medical treatment it can really turn your life upside down. Not only do you suffer physically, but you may face serious financial loss (e.g. your medical bills can be expensive, or you might need some time off work). If you are not to blame for the accident there are ways to receive full compensation.
The first step is to check your insurance policies. If you are a member of a company, organization, or trade union there is a big chance you will be covered if your accident occurred while traveling to work. But, unfortunately, every company is different, and your policy may not cover all types of problems. This doesn’t mean there is no hope. Don’t worry. With some legal help, you can try getting an “after-the-event” insurance policy. Experts at https://warnetthallen.com claim that the most important thing for you is to learn everything about your legal rights. This way you will be able to get some money from the company you work for, or from the party responsible for the accident. Hiring a personal injury lawyer is a good option, as well as using a mediation service. A lawyer will attempt to negotiate for a settlement or may file a lawsuit against the company, organization, or a responsible party, suing them for money or property.
Don’t Be in a Hurry
Being in an accident is a very stressful situation, and your first instinct may be to get away from the scene as soon as possible. But remember that it’s important to stay calm and make sure you are alright, as well as your bike.
Take a deep breath and check yourself for cuts, strains, bruises. If your arm or leg hurts badly, you may have a broken bone. Try moving your extremities and if it causes too much discomfort, call an ambulance.
If you feel alright and you are sure you are not severely injured, please check your bike (Are the wheels straight?; Are the brakes working properly?). Don’t try to ride it unless it’s completely safe.
When Should You Call the Police?
If you are injured and other people are involved it is often a good idea for both sides to give their statements to the police. It is the best thing to do for legal and insurance reasons.
Make sure you gather all the information you need before the police arrive (e.g. other party’s contact info, car’s license plate number, possible eyewitnesses info, etc.). You can take photos of the damage to your bike and yourself and be sure you remember the time the accident happened.
If the police don’t arrive you should go to the police station to make a statement and ask for a copy of the report.
Sometimes the other party involved in the accident may offer you cash to settle the situation, but this can only complicate things for both of you. It would make it impossible to claim legal insurance from your company or your employer, and the damage and medical cost could be very expensive.
Every accident can cause stress, pain, and financial burden, so it’s very important to know your rights in these kinds of situations. Be sure to check your insurance policy and talk to your employer if you are not sure what the conditions are. It’s comforting to know that you are covered in any situation, and it will make your rides feel safer.
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