Suddenly getting hit by a car while riding your bicycle can obviously lead to serious injury. But if you are okay enough to get up from the ground after you are hit, you'll want to do what you can to preserve your legal rights. Here are a few tips to keep in mind after getting hit by a car while on a bike.

Maintain Composure

Getting hit by a car while you are on a bike can lead to a serious case of road rage. This is especially true if you know that you were in the proper bike lane and the car driver was being reckless. But that said, it's important during the critical moments after the incident that you remain calm. Maintaining this demeanor could help you when the police show up as you will look like the person who is being reasonable.

You Should Still Exchange Information

You should still exchange your information with the car driver and obtain their insurance information even though you don't have a car yourself. You may still be able to file for damages with the car driver's insurance provider if it's proven that they were in the wrong. If the car driver does not provide this information and drives off, tell the police. Leaving the scene of an accident without following legal protocol could get the driver in further trouble.

Document When You Can

If you are on a bike, you might not have the capability to fully document the incident right at the scene. But you can come back later with a camera and photograph the area you were driving through. Try and demonstrate that you were clearly in the bike lane, and of course, also document any damage to your bike or yourself. Also make sure you wait for the police to arrive and get an official copy of the police report. This could help bolster your side of the story if the car driver changes their tune once the insurance companies get involved.

Contact an Attorney

If you sustain an injury while riding a bike due to someone else's negligence, you should know that you may have be entitled to financial compensation. Reach out to a bicycle accident lawyer who has previous experience litigating situations like this. You can allow your attorney to speak to the insurance companies on your behalf if applicable, and you might even be able to reach a settlement instead of having to go to court.

Contact a bicycle accident lawyer today for more information.