If you are involved in a collision, it’s important to know the steps to follow to ensure that you receive fair response from the police and collect information you may need for future legal issues. Even if you are not injured, follow this checklist as injuries can come up later. For more detailed information, see details below.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER A CRASH
- Tell the driver to stay until the police arrive. If they refuse to stay or don’t provide ID, get their and the car’s description, vehicle’s license plate # and state of issue.
- Call (or ask someone to call) 911 and ask for the police to come to the scene.
- Get name and contact info for any witnesses. Ask them to remain on the scene until police arrive, if possible.
- Ask for the driver’s license and insurance card. Write down name, address, date of birth, and insurance information.
- Ask them to take an incident report (req’d for all bike collisions, SFPD General Order 9.02b).
- Get reporting police officer’s name and badge number.
- If you’ve been doored, ask the officer to cite the motorist for dooring (a violation of CVC 22517).
- Ask the officers to speak to witnesses, if possible.
- While a doctor’s report of your injury is important for insurance and/or legal action, you do not need to take an ambulance. If there is any complaint of pain, police must take an incident report (SFPD General Order 9.02b).
- Contact witnesses to ask them to email you their version of what happened while it’s fresh in their mind. Email yourself a description of what happened with relevant information and capture as much detail as you can.
- Take good photos of your injuries and any bike damage. Get an estimate from a bike shop before making repairs.
- Request a copy of the incident report from the police.
Paul H. Nathan Law Offices's insight:
If you or a friend have been involved in a 'no-fault' bike accident please contact our office for assistance: (866) 414-4091 and http://nathanlawoffices.com