After a bicycle crash, most cyclists focus on immediate needs like medical care and getting home safely. However, collecting evidence right away can be crucial for your case later, especially if an insurance company tries to blame you or downplay your injuries.
Many cyclists think that being hit means the driver is automatically at fault, but claims often face disputes. Drivers may argue that the cyclist was at fault in some way. Without solid evidence, it can become a matter of who is believed. Collecting evidence is as important as getting medical treatment and can help protect your claim and recovery.
Bicycle crashes happen fast and often don’t leave the same visual scene as car accidents. A bike may be moved quickly, traffic continues flowing, and the driver may leave after exchanging information. If police don’t arrive immediately or a report is limited, the case may rely heavily on what the cyclist can prove.
Insurance companies may also assume cyclists share fault, especially if the crash involves a turn, lane positioning, or a “right hook” collision. Evidence closes these gaps. It turns a confusing incident into a clear timeline with proof of how the driver’s actions caused harm.
One of the most forgotten details is the traffic control environment. Cyclists often photograph the vehicle and the bike but forget to document what the intersection looked like. Traffic signal timing, crosswalk signals, turning arrows, and signage can all support fault.
Take photos or video of the overhead lights, walk signs, “No Turn on Red” signs, bike lane markings, and any obstruction to visibility. These details help show whether the driver had the right-of-way, whether they violated a signal, or whether the intersection design contributed to the crash.
Cyclists remember the impact but often forget the surface. Roadway conditions can support the claim by showing why the cyclist was positioned a certain way, why braking was difficult, or why the crash became unavoidable. Broken pavement, sand, gravel, potholes, uneven bike lanes, drainage grates, and debris can all become relevant.
Photograph the surface from multiple angles. If the crash involved swerving to avoid a hazard, roadway evidence becomes even more important. It can show the driver’s unsafe response to a predictable cyclist maneuver.
Many cyclists document the final position of the bike and car but forget to capture what may show behavior before the collision. For example, was the driver using a phone? Was the driver speeding? Was there open alcohol in the vehicle? Was the driver arguing with someone, looking away, or ignoring traffic signs?
If it’s safe, note what you observed and ask witnesses what they saw. If the driver admitted fault verbally, write it down immediately. Early details can disappear later when the driver changes their story.
Cyclists often assume witnesses will stick around or that police will record their information. In reality, witnesses often leave within minutes. Even supportive strangers may say, “I have to go,” and disappear. A witness who saw the crash can be the difference between a strong claim and a disputed one.
Ask witnesses for names and phone numbers right away. If they can’t stay, ask them to send a quick text confirming they saw the crash. Even a short message like “I saw the car turn into you” can help preserve early support and credibility.
One of the biggest missed opportunities is video footage. Cyclists often forget to scan for nearby cameras—especially in parking lots, businesses, apartment buildings, and traffic intersections. Many crashes happen near places with security cameras that capture the road, sidewalk, or driveway.
Look for cameras on poles, storefronts, gas stations, and residential buildings. If you’re able, note addresses and business names. Camera footage can show the crash itself, the driver’s actions, and even whether the cyclist was riding legally and visibly.
Cyclists often replace damaged gear quickly—especially helmets—but that gear can be evidence. A cracked helmet can support head injury severity. Torn clothing can show impact direction and force. Damaged lights or reflectors may prove the cyclist was visible.
Do not throw away damaged equipment. Save your helmet, clothing, shoes, and accessories. Take photos of damage, and store items in a safe place. This evidence helps show the crash wasn’t minor, even if the driver claims it was “just a bump.”
A common insurance argument is: “You didn’t seem hurt at the scene.” Many cyclists feel adrenaline at first and only experience full pain hours later. That doesn’t mean the injury is minor—it means the body takes time to react. If you don’t document symptom progression, insurers may claim the pain came from something else.
Write down symptoms as they appear. Track headaches, dizziness, sleep disruption, shoulder pain, knee pain, numbness, and emotional symptoms like anxiety or fear of riding again. Consistent medical visits help too, but personal symptom documentation strengthens the timeline.
Cyclists often have valuable digital proof without realizing it. Apps like Strava, Garmin, Wahoo, and Apple Health can record route location, speed, time, heart rate spikes, and sudden stops. That data can support crash timing and show where the collision occurred.
If you use a bike computer or smartwatch, save the activity record and take screenshots. If you have a GoPro or helmet cam, back up the footage immediately. Digital evidence can support your version of events when physical evidence is limited.
Bicycle crash evidence disappears quickly. Video footage gets overwritten. Witnesses become harder to find. Scene conditions change. A damaged bike gets repaired. The sooner evidence is gathered and organized, the harder it becomes for insurers to dispute fault or minimize injuries.
In the middle of these situations, Meyers & Flowers can help identify what evidence is missing, request time-sensitive footage, gather witness statements, and build a clear case file that connects the crash to injuries and financial losses. Early help often prevents evidence gaps that weaken claims later.
Most cyclists collect the obvious evidence—photos of the car and bike, insurance info, and maybe a police report. But the evidence that makes the biggest difference is often what people forget: traffic signals, surface hazards, witness contact info, nearby cameras, gear damage, symptom tracking, and digital ride data.
If you’re in a bicycle crash, treat the situation like an investigation. The more details you preserve early, the stronger your claim becomes. Evidence isn’t just about winning a dispute—it’s about protecting your right to full compensation when a crash disrupts your health, work, and life.
