Navigating the Aftermath: What to Do After a New Jersey Bicycle Accident

Understanding What to Do When a Cyclist is Hit by a Car in Cherry Hill

When a Cyclist hit by car accident happens in Cherry Hill, the moments immediately following can determine your health outcomes and legal rights. Here’s what you need to do right away:

Call 911 immediately – Get medical help and ensure police document the scene, even if injuries seem minor.
Move to safety – If possible, get yourself and your bicycle out of traffic to prevent further injury.
Document everything – Take photos of the scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, and road conditions on streets like Kresson Road or Route 70.
Collect information – Get the driver’s name, license, insurance, and contact details from any witnesses.
Seek medical attention – Visit a local hospital like Cooper Hospital or Virtua Voorhees Hospital, as some injuries appear hours later.
Contact a personal injury attorney – Before speaking with insurance companies who may try to minimize your claim.

The statistics are sobering: in 2021 alone, 938 cyclists were killed in traffic crashes across the United States, with 71% of fatalities occurring in urban areas like Cherry Hill. These aren’t just numbers; they represent real people whose lives changed in an instant on familiar roads.

Getting hit by a car while cycling can leave you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and insurance companies calling before you’ve even left the hospital. Many cyclists in Cherry Hill and throughout New Jersey face potentially life-changing injuries, from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries. The driver’s insurance company will often contact you quickly, hoping you’ll accept a low settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries or your legal rights.

I’m Jason Fine, and over my 25 years representing victims of motor vehicle accidents throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, I’ve helped countless cyclists who were hit by cars secure the compensation they deserved for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. My team understands the unique challenges of Cyclist hit by car cases and knows how to hold negligent drivers accountable.

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Immediate Steps to Take When a Cyclist is Hit by a Car in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

When a Cyclist hit by car in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, the actions you take immediately are crucial for your physical recovery and any potential legal claims. It’s vital to stay calm and take specific steps to protect yourself. At J. Fine Law, we want to ensure you understand these steps so you can steer the aftermath effectively.

Prioritize Your Health and Safety

Your well-being is the top priority after a Cyclist hit by car incident. Adrenaline can mask pain, and serious injuries may not appear right away.

Move to safety: If you can, move yourself and your bicycle out of traffic. However, if you suspect serious head, neck, or spine injuries, do not move until emergency medical personnel arrive.
Do not refuse medical care: Accept an evaluation from paramedics and go to a hospital like Cooper Hospital or Virtua Voorhees Hospital if they recommend it. Serious issues like concussions or internal injuries might not show symptoms for hours. An estimated 41,000 cyclists were injured in U.S. traffic crashes in 2021, highlighting their vulnerability.
Emergency services and police report: Call 911 immediately. An official police report is critical evidence for legal proceedings and will document the collision’s details, including the location on Cherry Hill streets like Kresson Road. Ensure the report notes you were on a bicycle.

Documenting the Scene After a Cyclist is Hit by a Car

Comprehensive documentation is invaluable when a Cyclist hit by car accident occurs in Cherry Hill. The more information you gather, the stronger your position will be.

Photographic evidence: If your condition allows, use your smartphone to take photos and videos of the scene, including:
- The position of your bicycle and the vehicle.
- Damage to your bicycle, helmet, and personal belongings.
- Damage to the vehicle that hit you.
- Skid marks, debris, and other relevant markings.
- Overall road conditions, lighting, and weather.
- Street signs and traffic signals to establish the location.
- Your injuries.
Witness information: Get the names and contact information of anyone who saw the accident. Independent witnesses provide crucial, unbiased accounts.
Dashcam footage: Ask nearby drivers if they have dashcam footage, which can provide irrefutable evidence of the collision.
Essential Information to Collect at the Scene:
- Driver’s full name and contact information.
- Driver’s license number.
- Vehicle make, model, year, color, and license plate number.
- Insurance company name and policy number for the vehicle.
- Contact information for any witnesses.
- Badge number of the responding police officer and the police report number.
- Date and time of the collision.
- Specific location of the accident, including street names (e.g., Kresson Road, Oakley Drive).

Interacting with Law Enforcement and the Driver

Your interactions with police and the driver are critical. What you say can significantly impact your case after a Cyclist hit by car incident in Cherry Hill.

Remain calm and factual: When speaking with the police, state only the facts as you remember them. Avoid speculating or assigning blame.
Do not admit fault: Never apologize or admit fault. New Jersey is a “comparative negligence” state, so admitting fault could jeopardize your ability to recover damages.
Exchange information: Politely exchange contact and insurance information with the driver. If the driver is uncooperative or attempts to leave, note their license plate number and vehicle description, and inform the Cherry Hill Police Department immediately.
Police investigation: The police will conduct an initial investigation. It is important to understand the status of their investigation, especially if the driver has been identified or if it was a hit-and-run.

Navigating Your Recovery and Legal Options in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

After the immediate aftermath of a Cyclist hit by car accident, your focus shifts to recovery and understanding your legal options in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. This phase involves dealing with medical treatments, insurance claims, and seeking legal representation to protect your rights and secure fair compensation.

Understanding Your Legal Rights in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

As a cyclist involved in a collision in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, you have specific legal rights. We at J. Fine Law are here to help you understand them.

Negligence and liability: Most bicycle accident cases require proving the driver’s negligence—that their careless actions, like distracted driving or speeding, directly caused your injuries. In 2021, 30% of cyclist fatalities involved alcohol, a significant contributing factor.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): New Jersey is a “no-fault” state, so your own car insurance policy’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage typically pays your initial medical expenses. If you don’t have car insurance, coverage might come from a relative’s policy or the at-fault driver’s policy. Understanding how PIP applies to a Cyclist hit by car scenario is crucial.
Filing a claim: You may be entitled to compensation beyond medical expenses, including lost wages, pain and suffering, and the cost of replacing your bicycle. A personal injury claim allows you to seek these damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Statute of limitations: In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can mean losing your right to pursue compensation, so act quickly.
Local Cherry Hill accident reports: An attorney will obtain the official police report from the Cherry Hill Police Department. This report provides crucial details and is often the starting point for building your case.

Navigating the Investigation When a Cyclist is Hit by a Car

The police investigation and legal process can be complex. Having a knowledgeable legal team on your side can make a significant difference.

Police report follow-up: We will follow up with the Cherry Hill Police Department to ensure the accident report is accurate and complete and to obtain any witness statements or dashcam footage.
Investigation status and potential charges: We monitor the police investigation to see if the driver faces traffic violations or criminal charges, as a conviction can significantly strengthen your civil case.
Evidence preservation: After a Cyclist hit by car incident, evidence can disappear quickly. We move swiftly to preserve it, securing surveillance footage and examining the accident scene on Cherry Hill roads like Kresson Road. Since 71% of cyclist fatalities occur in urban areas, understanding the specific environment is paramount.
Long-term consequences: Injuries from being a Cyclist hit by car can have long-term consequences, including ongoing medical needs and the inability to work. We factor these long-term impacts into your claim to ensure you receive comprehensive compensation for potentially life-changing injuries.

Securing Your Rightful Compensation in Cherry Hill

Our goal at J. Fine Law is to secure the maximum compensation you deserve after a Cyclist hit by car accident in Cherry Hill. We have a 98% success rate and have recovered over $50 million for our clients.

Insurance company tactics: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts with quick, low settlements or by shifting blame. We handle all communications with adjusters to protect you from these tactics.
Settlement negotiation: We build a strong case with all necessary records and statements, then aggressively negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to reach a fair settlement.
Proving liability: Our team is skilled at proving liability in complex Cyclist hit by car cases. We investigate every detail, from traffic laws to road conditions in Cherry Hill, to establish the driver’s fault.
Maximizing your claim: We consider all aspects of your damages, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. Our rapid attorney response means we start working on your case immediately to maximize your claim.

If you or a loved one has been a Cyclist hit by car in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, don’t face the aftermath alone. Let our dedicated legal team guide you, protect your rights, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Contact a Cherry Hill bicycle accident attorney for guidance

Further Reading on Cyclist Safety and Accidents in New Jersey and Pennsylvania:

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