When you're enjoying the freedom and speed of riding a bicycle, the last thing you want to encounter is an accident. However, the reality is that tens of thousands of riders are injured in car collisions every year, and the real trouble is often how to deal with insurance companies, police, and the driver who caused the accident after the accident. If you are unprepared during the claims process, you may be forced to bear the loss or even be unable to obtain reasonable compensation. This article compiles 16 practical suggestions, combined with Taiwan’s current traffic and insurance systems, to help every rider understand how to rationally, legally and effectively defend their rights after an accident.
【Table of contents】
- Be sure to call the police and keep a record of the scene
- Emphasize that there are injuries and ask the police and medical personnel to come to the scene
- Actively collect eyewitness information
- Keep the scene as it is and do not move the bicycles without permission
- Ensure the completeness of the narrative and grasp the responsibility for the accident
- You can also seek compensation without contact, the key is to provide evidence
- Avoid exaggeration or over-acknowledgment when taking notes
- Describe your injuries in detail and seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Take photos to record injuries and the scene
- Mediation Committee available for small claims
- Major accidents should be handled by lawyers
- Make good use of insurance claims rights, including compulsory insurance
- Request full compensation, do not accept depreciated value
- Claim order: property first, then injury
- The perpetrators should not be too polite, the information must be collected accurately
- Make good use of smart radar taillights to improve safety and evidence opportunities
Be sure to call the police and keep a record of the scene
As soon as an accident occurs, be sure to call the police, regardless of how serious the injuries are. Witnesses may leave and evidence from the scene may be lost over time. Asking the police to prepare a record of the accident scene and requesting a copy will help you to provide evidence when seeking compensation or filing a lawsuit in the future.
Emphasize that there are injuries and ask the police and medical personnel to come to the scene
According to regulations, Taiwanese police will only arrive at the scene if there are casualties, but if you can clearly indicate that you are experiencing symptoms of discomfort (such as dizziness, tingling, difficulty moving, etc.), the police will be more obligated to arrive at the scene to collect evidence. When medical staff arrive at the scene, they can immediately record the injuries as a basis for claims and medical treatment.
Actively collect eyewitness information
When witnesses leave, it is almost impossible to find them again. Therefore, if there are passers-by at the scene of the accident who offer to help or say they saw what happened, be sure to ask them to leave their name and contact information so that they can serve as a strong witness when necessary.
Keep the scene as it is and do not move the bicycles without permission
If liability is determined If it is not on you, you should try to preserve the scene for the police to film and record. You can ask the other driver to move his car, but never move your bicycle to avoid affecting the determination of the impact angle and accident responsibility.
Ensure the completeness of the narrative and grasp the responsibility for the accident
Many insurance claims adjusters and police have a limited understanding of bicycle accidents and are often biased. The more clearly you describe the circumstances of the accident (e.g., the traffic lights, the speed of the vehicles, your position and the other party's route), the more clearly you can convey that you did not violate any rules.
You can also seek compensation without contact, the key is to provide evidence
In some cases, even if there is no direct contact between the vehicle and the bicycle, you may still be able to claim damages if you fell off the bicycle due to illegal maneuvering by the other party. The key is to be able to provide video or witness testimony to support what happened.
Avoid exaggeration or over-acknowledgment when taking notes
Overemphasizing speed or giving false details (such as saying you didn't see the car at the time) may be misinterpreted by the police as negligence. We should tell the truth, not exaggerate or admit unnecessary responsibility, and leave room for interpretation of the on-site circumstances.
Describe your injuries in detail and seek medical attention as soon as possible
No matter how minor the injury is, you should report it to the police and go to hospital as soon as possible, preferably by ambulance. Such a complete record will become important evidence when seeking compensation in the future.
Take photos to record injuries and the scene
Immediately after the accident, take photos of your injuries, damaged vehicle, scene, and other party's license plate. These photos will help clarify fault and actual damage.
Mediation Committee available for small claims
If the amount of compensation sought is not high (less than NT$100,000 in Taiwan), it can be coordinated through the mediation committee of each county or city government. This saves you the cost of attorneys and allows you to resolve disputes quickly.
Major accidents should be handled by lawyers
If serious injuries or long-term sequelae are caused, it is recommended to seek assistance from a professional lawyer. The statute of limitations for civil claims is 2 years, and the statute of limitations for criminal liability is 6 months, so be sure to keep track of the statute of limitations.
Make good use of insurance claims rights, including compulsory insurance
If the person who caused the accident does not have third-party liability insurance, you can still claim compensation through the other party's compulsory insurance or the "medical insurance" attached to your own automobile and motorcycle insurance policy. Many people are not aware that they actually have this protection.
Request full compensation, do not accept depreciated value
Bicycles are often equipped with expensive parts. If the insurance company is only willing to pay compensation based on the current value of depreciation, you can provide proof of purchase and usage of the vehicle and claim for compensation based on the actual purchase price.
Claim order: property first, then injury
Don’t rush into dealing with bodily injury compensation. The loss of property (such as vehicle body, clothing, etc.) should be clarified first before dealing with subsequent injury compensation. In particular, if there are scars or sequelae, a claim should be made only after a complete assessment.
The perpetrators should not be too polite, the information must be collected accurately
Don’t believe the other person just because he or she says “I’ll compensate you”, and don’t admit your mistakes on your own. Be sure to write down the other party's name, phone number, license plate, driver's license, insurance information, and keep a record of the on-site conversation or take photos as evidence.
Make good use of smart radar taillights to improve safety and evidence opportunities
The Bryton Rider bike meter can be used with the Gardia R300L smart radar taillight, which can detect the distance of the vehicle coming from behind in real time and display it on the screen. It not only helps you understand the traffic conditions and improve riding alertness, but also provides objective data as evidence when an accident occurs. This feature not only allows you to take precautions, but also provides you with an additional basis for self-protection.
The freedom of riding is fascinating, but the unexpected is always unpredictable. Mastering these 16 principles will help you avoid being at a loss after an accident and better protect your own rights. Next time you are unfortunately involved in a car accident, remember to respond calmly and actively search for evidence. Bryton will work with you to be a more conscious rider.