Short answer
Get medical care, preserve photos and video, identify the driver and vehicle, look for nearby cameras, and do not let an insurer blame you before the evidence is reviewed.
What to save now
- Get medical care and keep copies of discharge papers, imaging reports, prescriptions, and follow-up instructions.
- Save photos, videos, location details, license plates, driver information, insurance cards, app screenshots, and witness names.
- Do not guess about fault, injuries, or recorded statements before you understand your rights and the available insurance coverage.
- Write down pain, missed work, transportation problems, and every conversation with an insurer, employer, rideshare company, or trucking company.
- Photograph the crosswalk, bike lane, sidewalk, traffic signal, sign placement, lighting, debris, skid marks, helmet, bicycle, shoes, and torn clothing.
The location can tell the story
A pedestrian or bicycle crash may turn on whether the driver failed to yield, ignored a signal, turned into a crosswalk, opened a door, sped through a neighborhood, or failed to see someone who was plainly visible.
NHTSA publishes pedestrian and bicycle safety information that helps explain common risk points such as intersections, visibility, vehicle speed, and driver behavior.
Video evidence may disappear quickly
Stores, apartment buildings, buses, traffic cameras, doorbell cameras, and nearby businesses may have useful footage. Some systems overwrite video quickly.
If you can, write down the names and addresses of nearby businesses and cameras before the scene changes.
Head injuries and orthopedic injuries need careful follow-up
Pedestrians and bicyclists often suffer head injuries, fractures, ligament injuries, road rash, shoulder injuries, back injuries, and knee injuries.
CDC traumatic brain injury guidance is especially important when the person has headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, memory issues, sleep problems, or mood changes after impact.
Common questions
What if the driver says they did not see me?
That does not end the case. Visibility, lighting, crosswalks, signals, speed, distraction, and witness accounts may still show the driver was responsible.
What if I was not in a crosswalk?
You may still have options depending on state law, driver conduct, speed, visibility, and the exact crash location.
Should I keep damaged clothing or the bicycle?
Yes. Damaged clothing, shoes, helmet, bags, and the bicycle can help show impact force and injury mechanism.