AUTOSPORTSTYLE.COM

According to statistics from the Center for Diseases and Prevention (CDC), cyclists are faced with a higher risk of crash-related deaths and injuries compared to motor vehicle occupants.

In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority Administration announced that more than 7000 died from car crashes.

The above statistics point to the fact that any cyclist is at risk of getting involved in an accident.

As such, it is important to understand what to do in case you get involved in such an accident. Most cyclists fail to get justice after an accident simply because they are not aware of the steps to take.

Below is a list of the things you can do in case you are involved in a bicycle accident:

1. Remain safe where the accident happened

This is one of the most important rules! Do not move away from the accident’s scene. In case you are in the middle of the road, move a little bit so that that you don’t get hit again by passing vehicles and bicycles.

What most people don’t know is that they can be accused of hit and run even if they are cycling. The best option is to remain put where the accident has occurred and wait.

2. Check for the injuries

Take some time to check the extent of the injuries from the bike accident. Common injuries from such accidents include broken bones, whiplash, concussions, or lacerations. Sometimes it might not be easy to know where exactly you have been injured because of the high amount of adrenaline.

3. Call the police

Immediately you get involved in an accident, contact 911. It is very important to tarry till the police arrive at the scene and file a report. You may be convinced that you are injured and opt to go away. However, some injuries from bike accidents do not manifest instantly.

Some injuries may also appear mild but later turn out to be permanent. Leaving the accident scene will make it difficult to know the at-fault driver.

It is good to remain calm and wait for the police to come and assess the situation. The police will ticket the driver once they arrive – which can help your bicycle accident lawyer to file a strong case.

4. Exchange information

Remember to get important contact information car driver. Ensure to get information such as addresses, name, phone number, insurance information, driver’s license if possible. If there are any eyewitnesses, then try also to request their contact information.

You can request someone else to take down this information on your behalf in case you are severely injured. Such information will be crucial for your personal injury lawyer during the court hearings and submissions. Do not worry in case you don’t have bicycling insurance. Your bicycle accident lawyer will advise you on this issue.

5. Gather evidence

After exchanging the necessary information, the next step is to collect evidence. This includes writing down names of together with contact information of any witnesses that were present when the accident occurred as well as taking pictures.

It is recommended that you leave your bike at the exact position where the accident happened. Don’t try to fix anything. You can call your personal injury lawyer to help you with documenting the evidence if the accident left you with bad injuries.

In case you were wearing a Go-Pro camera, ensure that the video footage of the accident is backed up well to serve as evidence.

6. Record the injuries

Ensure that you contact a doctor as soon as the accident happens. There are certain injuries that you won’t be able to tell immediately after the accident unless you are examined by a doctor. A doctor will be able to assess the injuries and put everything on record.

The doctor’s injury report will be crucial when the West coast trial lawyers are compiling evidence to be used when the proceedings begin.

You should also take several pictures of your injuries soon after the accident occurs. Besides, you can also keep a journal of symptoms from the time of the accident until the time you get healed.

7. Inform your insurance company about the accident

It is true that your car accident won’t be able to cover for damages caused during a bike accident. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t have any insurance cover for bicycle accidents.

In case you already have a personal injury protection cover, homeowners or renter’s insurance, inform the insurance company about the accident. Ensure that you provide them with all the evidence collected where the accident happened. It is also advisable to involve the services of West Coast trial lawyers at this stage.

8. Avoid any engagement with the at-fault party lawyer or insurance company

This is a mistake that most people make without knowing. Don’t engage with the at-fault party lawyers or insurance company before talking to your own bicycle accident lawyer Los Angeles. This is because any information you divulge may be used against you during the case.

It is also possible to resolve a bicycle injury case without going to court. You can talk to your bicycle accident lawyer Los Angeles and ask them to write a letter to the insurance company for a settlement. This will save a lot in terms of time and legal expenses.

9. Retain an experienced bicycle accident lawyer

Insurance companies can be stubborn when it comes to bicycle injury compensations. They can take you circles if they realize you don’t have a lawyer or if you have hired an inexperienced lawyer. The best way to deal with this is to hire a lawyer who has adequate experience in representing bicycle accident victims.

There are various ways on how you can find an experienced personal injury lawyer. One of them is through referrals. You can also check online for lawyers with the best reviews. But you should also look for ways to prevent the accident from happening.

More than 55,500 car accidents occurred on Los Angeles roadways in 2016. These accidents caused serious injuries and damages to thousands of people of all ages. One person died from injuries sustained in a car accident every 40 hours the same year. The numbers of accidents in Los Angeles during other years is just as shocking as the 2016 figures. This shocking information puts accidents into a clear perspective for drivers who get behind the wheel of an automobile. The risks of getting involved in a car accident are very realistic, even when traveling short distances. Drivers should prepare for the unexpected every time they drive their cars.

Knowing how to respond after a car accident makes a difference in the outcome of the matter. Fear, uncertainty, and confusion often overwhelm those involved in car accidents as they’re unsure what to do after the event. Despite more than six million car accidents in the U.S. every year, it’s not every day we are personally involved. This leaves us unsure of the steps we should take after the accident occurs. Keep your cool by using the following tips if a car accident occurs.

1- Check for Danger: Safety is top-priority after a car accident. Assess the area after a crash. Do you smell smoke? Is the vehicle immobilized in traffic? Move the car out of dangerous areas when possible. Your first priority after the accident is preventing further injuries and damage and human safety!

2- Assess Injuries: Assess each person inside the vehicle for injuries. Call 9-1-1 if there are injuries. Next, turn off the car and turn on the hazard lights as you wait for emergency services. This alerts other drivers that an accident is ahead and can prevent further mishaps. Never leave the scene of an accident because you can be charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

3- Call the Police: If no one in the accident is hurt, call the police. You are required by law to file an accident report with the Los Angeles Police Department. You also need the accident report to file an insurance claim and perhaps even to keep you out of legal troubles. When the officer arrives, he’ll request your driver’s license and insurance, vehicle registration, and other information as needed. You may visit the police department for a copy of the final accident report.

4- Exchange Information: Exchange information with the other driver such as full name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, insurance company, and policy number, and license plate numbers. If the other driver doesn’t want to provide this information, do not force an exchange, but wait for the police to provide you with the details instead.

5- Keep it Cool: Do not allow your emotions to take over after an accident. Keep your cool, do not blame the other driver, do not yell or act aggressively toward the other party. Everyone should allow the police and insurance company to handle the matter correctly!

6- Take Photographs: Some drivers take photographs of driver’s licenses, license plates, etc. Photographing the scene provides evidence in the case if it is needed later. Take photos of the crash scene, skid marks, vehicles, and other road hazards. Your phone camera will suffice for accident scene photographs. It is a good idea to take a couple of shots of each photograph to ensure quality.

7- Don’t Rely on Memory: Write down all the details about the crash as you remember. Important details like the date or time of day can easily be forgotten later down the road. If pen and paper are not available, use your phone to video record the information. You can also use the notes feature on the phone to jot down the details.

8- Contact the Insurance Company: Call the insurance company as soon as possible. Some drivers call the insurance company after they call the police while still at the scene of the accident. Insurance agents may take photographs of the scene, talk to witnesses, or otherwise move forward with the process if they come to the scene. The sooner you notify the insurance company, the sooner the claims process begins.

9- Contact a Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyer: Not every car accident is serious enough to involve a car accident personal injury lawyer, but many are. Contact a Los Angeles accident attorney if you are unhappy with the insurance company’s settlement offer, if you’ve suffered life-threatening injuries, or to otherwise learn the best steps to take in your case. The lawyer offers consultations at no cost. Use this time to ask questions and learn more about your case. You should not hesitate to file a lawsuit if it can help get your life back in order after the car accident turns it upside down.

Keep in mind that the California statute of limitations limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit after a car accident. It is important to reach out to a Los Angeles accident attorney as soon as possible to avoid this statute of limitations. Once the time has passed, you cannot file a lawsuit and become responsible for covering costs of your own injuries and damages. Reaching out to the auto injury lawyer quickly ensures no details are forgotten. You also get your life back on track faster when you reach out to an auto injury attorney as soon as possible.

A car accident is never an easy situation, even when you’ve been involved in a similar mishap. Each accident is unique and has a different outcome than the last, but you can still follow this general guideline to ensure the best outcome at the end of the day. Do not allow the aftermath of a car accident to shatter your life more than the event itself following this simple outline reduces stress and worry after the event. Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers if you need an auto injury attorney that fights for your rights.

A Comprehensive Overview of the Motorcycle Theory & Practical Test

Note to clients: On your site, it indicates that the minimum age for riding a moped is 17 but the government sets it at 16.]

Additional Things You Need to Know

It is imperative to note that CBT training does not come with a test thus you should not feel anxious about it. Ideally, it is aimed to make you relax and enjoy the training since that is the most suitable way to learn even when it is against your motive. No one will put pressure on you to progress to the next stage until you feel ready enough.

Motorcycle Theory & Practical Test

Once your trainer is contented that you can operate your motorcycle competently and safely, you will be given your DL196 Certificate or CBT Certificate. You will thus be able to proceed with the training to get a full motorcycle licence in class you want from the four major categories. To acquire a license in any of these categories, you need to get a provisional motorcycle or moped licence and then sit for theory and practical exam. The test is usually taken in between one to four days of training. The theory exam comprises a multiple-choice test that you sit for at the DSA centre that is closest to you.

You may be looking forward to knowing how much it may cost you. The cost will be determined by the level of training you want as some want more training than the rest. The overall cost ranges from £200 to train for one day and £750 for 4 days of training.

The motorcycle licence comes in four categories and the accelerated access

Moped licence. You must be at least 17 years to qualify for a moped licence. A moped is a motorcycle whose engine capacity does not exceed 50cc and a maximum speed of around 31mph. you need to perform well in the theory exam before commencing your training and then sit for a practical exam at the DSA test centre. You can then ride a moped that does not have L-plates and transfer a pillion passage.

Light motorcycle licence (A1). You need to be with your CBT and be17 or above to obtain A1 licence. Unless you have a moped licence already, you need to obtain your provisional licence and sit for your theory test. Once you are done with your training, you will need to undertake a practical exam on a bike with engine capacity ranging between 75cc and 125cc. once you pass the test, you can then ride a motorcycle with up to 125cc or 11Kw as well as carry a pillion passenger.

Standard motorcycle licence (A2 — restricted). You will need a standard motorcycle licence if you like riding a bike that is a bit bigger. If your age is between 17-20 years, you ought to go for the A2 (restricted) licence. You need to have the CBT licence and if you have not passed the moped exam, you must acquire the provisional motorcycle licence. You can then undertake the training of your choice to pass the practical test. You will need to have a bike with engine capacity ranging between 120cc to 125cc with the capability of at least 100kph.

Once you perform well in this, you can operate a motorcycle without the L-plates and transfer a passenger. However, for two years, you will be limited to a bike with a maximum output of 25kW or 33bhp or optimum power-to-weight ratio of about 0.16Kw/KG. The good news is you can then ride any type of a bike that you come across without any additional training once the two years are over.

Accelerated Access. You have the option of the accelerated access if you reach 21 years when you are still within the two years under restriction. This gives you the chance to sit for a practical test on a bike with 35Kw OR 47bhp power output. If you pass the test, you will have a complete licence without having to wait for the two years to lapse.

Direct Access– Unrestricted Category A. So long as you are at least 21 years, with the CBT and theory test, you can undertake the practical test on a bike with 47bhp power output. You are given a chance to practise for your test on such a bike so long as you qualified Direct Access instructor accompanies you and put on fluorescent clothes every time. Once you pass this test, you will be able to ride any bike without L-plates and carry a passenger.

Lastly, it is imperative to note that if you fail the theory and practical test within a period of two years after passing the CBT, you will need to retake the CBT.