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Bicycle Accident Lawyer Greenville

Bicycle and helmet fallen over

Cycling should be a safe and healthy way to travel, but when careless drivers fail to share the road, the results can be devastating. If you’ve been struck while riding your bike, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Mann, Blake & Jackson, our Greenville-based team is committed to helping injured cyclists seek justice. A knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer from our firm can investigate your case, deal with insurance companies, and pursue the maximum recovery on your behalf. Don’t wait—call 864-777-4262 today for a free consultation and let us help you get back on track.

Steps You Should Take to Properly Record a Bicycle Accident in South Carolina

If you’re involved in a bicycle accident, what you do in the moments and days afterward can make a big difference in whether your claim succeeds. Medical treatment is the first priority—but documenting the accident thoroughly is a close second. The more detailed and accurate your records are, the stronger your claim will be when it’s time to deal with insurance companies or file a lawsuit.

In South Carolina, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. That means if you are injured by a negligent driver, you have the legal right to pursue compensation. But unlike cars, bicycles typically don’t have built-in tools like dash cams or event data recorders. So the responsibility of documenting the accident falls mostly on you.

Start By Calling Emergency Services

Even if you think your injuries are minor, it’s important to call 911 and report the accident. Emergency services will ensure that everyone receives medical care, and police will document the incident with an official report. That report is often the first piece of written evidence used by insurance companies to determine fault.

Do not let the driver talk you out of calling law enforcement. Even if they apologize and offer to pay for damages directly, a police report provides an unbiased third-party account of what happened—and that’s essential if the story changes later.

When the officer arrives, give a clear and concise description of the crash. Don’t speculate or assign blame. Stick to the facts as you remember them.

Take Photos of the Scene and Injuries

Your phone is one of the most important tools you have after a bicycle accident. Use it to capture photos and videos of the following:

  • The entire scene, including traffic lights, stop signs, and road markings

  • Your bicycle, especially any visible damage

  • The vehicle involved, including license plates and any dents or scrapes

  • Your injuries, both immediately after the accident and as they heal over time

  • Skid marks, debris, or anything that may have contributed to the accident

  • The driver’s license, registration, and insurance card if they agree to share it

These images create a visual record that can be used to support your version of events, establish how the accident happened, and link your injuries directly to the crash.

Gather Contact Information from Witnesses

Eyewitness testimony can help establish fault, especially if the driver disputes your account. If anyone saw the accident happen, ask for their name, phone number, and a short statement of what they observed. Don’t pressure them, but do let them know that their perspective could help clarify what happened.

Try to do this before they leave the scene. Witnesses often disappear quickly, and it can be difficult to track them down later.

Write Down Your Own Account as Soon as Possible

Your memory of the accident will fade over time, especially if you’re dealing with pain, stress, or medication. As soon as you’re able, write down everything you remember, including:

  • Where you were headed and what direction you were traveling

  • The exact time and location of the crash

  • How the accident occurred, step-by-step

  • Any conversations you had with the driver or police

  • What the weather and traffic conditions were like

Be honest and detailed. Even if some aspects seem small or unimportant, they could prove useful later.

Preserve Your Bicycle and Gear

Do not attempt to repair or throw away your bicycle, helmet, clothing, or any other equipment damaged in the crash. These items may serve as physical evidence in your case. For example, a crushed bike frame or cracked helmet can help demonstrate the force of impact.

If possible, store the damaged items in a secure place and take photographs from multiple angles. Keep everything just as it was immediately after the accident.

Obtain a Copy of the Police Report

You can usually request a copy of the police report from the law enforcement agency that responded to the accident. In Greenville, this might be the Greenville Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, or the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Once you receive the report, review it for accuracy. If it contains factual errors—such as the wrong location, time, or vehicle information—contact the officer who prepared the report and ask for a correction or addendum.

Get Prompt Medical Attention and Keep All Records

Even if you feel okay, some injuries—like concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage—don’t show up right away. Getting checked out by a doctor not only protects your health, but it also provides medical documentation that links your injuries to the accident.

Be honest with your healthcare provider about how the injury occurred, and follow their advice for treatment. Keep copies of all medical records, test results, prescriptions, and receipts. Also maintain a journal tracking your symptoms, pain levels, and how your injuries are affecting your daily life.

These documents will be essential when it’s time to calculate damages.

Track All Out-of-Pocket Costs and Lost Wages

In addition to medical expenses, you may be entitled to recover other financial losses related to the accident. These might include:

  • Missed time from work

  • Transportation to and from medical appointments

  • Replacement of damaged gear or bicycle

  • Physical therapy or long-term treatment

Start a simple spreadsheet or keep a file with all receipts, invoices, and employment records that show lost income. The more organized you are, the easier it will be to demonstrate your financial losses during the claim process.

Avoid Speaking with the Driver’s Insurance Without Legal Advice

After a bicycle accident, the driver’s insurance company may contact you and ask for a statement. Be cautious. Anything you say could be used to reduce or deny your claim. Even simple comments like “I didn’t see them coming” or “I’m feeling better now” can be taken out of context.

You have the right to refer the insurance adjuster to your attorney. If you don’t have one yet, you may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer before discussing your injuries or the crash in detail.

Why Documentation Matters 

South Carolina uses a modified comparative negligence system. This means your compensation can be reduced if you’re found to be partially at fault. If you’re more than 50 percent responsible, you can’t recover any damages.

Accurate documentation helps prevent fault from being unfairly assigned to you. It supports your version of events and shows the extent of your injuries. Without proper evidence, it’s much harder to prove your case.

When to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

If your injuries are serious, if liability is being disputed, or if you’re overwhelmed by the claim process, consider contacting a personal injury attorney. A lawyer can help you:

  • Investigate the crash and gather additional evidence

  • Deal with insurance companies on your behalf

  • Calculate the full value of your damages

  • File a claim or lawsuit within South Carolina’s legal time limits

Most injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay unless you recover compensation.

Being injured in a bicycle crash can be painful, stressful, and disorienting. But what you do in the hours and days that follow can have a lasting impact on your ability to recover damages. Documenting everything carefully—photos, medical records, witness names, your own notes—can be the difference between a successful claim and one that falls short.

Protecting Your Rights with a Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, you deserve more than a quick settlement—you deserve real support and legal guidance from someone who understands what you’re up against. A skilled bicycle accident attorney from Mann, Blake & Jackson will take the time to listen to your story, investigate the details, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward. Serving Greenville and surrounding communities, we stand by injured cyclists who were harmed through no fault of their own. Reach out to our team today at 864-777-4262 to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward justice.