What to Do After an Accident? Complete Cycling Accident Handling SOP

No one wants to be in an accident, but if it unfortunately happens, do you know what to do? According to surveys, most cyclists involved in accidents miss critical opportunities to protect their rights because they panic or are unfamiliar with the process. This article provides a complete accident handling SOP. We recommend bookmarking it—hopefully you’ll never need it, but if you do, it will come in handy.

Step 1: Ensure Personal Safety (0-3 Minutes)

Assess Your Injuries

The moment an accident happens, adrenaline floods your system, and you may not feel pain right away. Don’t get up or move immediately just because you “seem fine.”

Check in order:

1. Any pain or dizziness in the head or neck? If so, do not move your neck
2. Can your limbs move normally? Feel for anything unusual?
3. Any visible bleeding?
4. Is your breathing normal?

Move Away from Danger

If you’re lying in the roadway and your physical condition allows you to move, get to a safe spot at the roadside as quickly as possible. If you can’t move, call out loudly or wave your arms to signal oncoming vehicles to slow down.

Call Emergency Services

If anyone is injured (including yourself), call 119 for an ambulance immediately. Even if injuries look minor, head impacts and blunt abdominal trauma may not show symptoms until hours later.

When calling 119, provide:

• Accident location (street names and nearby landmarks)
• Number of injured people and approximate injuries
• Whether anyone is unconscious

Step 2: Report to Police and Preserve the Scene (3-15 Minutes)

Call 110 to Report the Accident

Regardless of the severity of the accident, you must report it to the police. This isn’t a suggestion—it’s a necessary step to protect your rights. The police report and the subsequent traffic accident analysis report are the most important documents for insurance claims and legal proceedings.

A common mistake many cyclists make: The other party says “let’s just settle privately,” so no police report is filed. Later, they discover the injuries are more serious than expected, but without a police record, they can’t assert their rights.

Remember: Report to the police first; discuss settlement later.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

While waiting for the police to arrive, if your physical condition allows, collect as much of the following evidence as possible:

Take photos with your phone:

1. Panoramic shots: Photograph the full accident scene from multiple angles, including the road environment, traffic signals, and lane markings
2. Vehicle positions: The stopped positions and directions of your bicycle and the other party’s vehicle
3. Vehicle damage: Damage to your bicycle, and damage or scratches on the other party’s vehicle
4. Personal injuries: Abrasions, bruises, and other wounds on your body
5. Road surface marks: Skid marks, scrape marks, scattered debris
6. Other party’s vehicle information: License plate number, model, color
7. Surrounding environment: Any surveillance cameras, streetlights, or traffic signs

Video recording: If possible, record a video of the scene—it captures the situation more completely than photos.

Exchange Information

Exchange the following information with the other party:

Item	Details
Name	For identity confirmation
National ID number	Required for claims
Phone number	For follow-up contact
Address	For sending official documents
Vehicle information	License plate, model
Insurance company	The insurer covering the other party’s vehicle
Driver’s license	Can be photographed for records

Important reminder: Don’t determine who’s at fault at the scene, and don’t say “I’m sorry” or anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Wait for the police investigation and insurance company determination.

Look for Witnesses

If bystanders witnessed the accident, note down their contact information. Witness testimony can be critical evidence in determining fault.

Step 3: Medical Treatment (Same Day)

Why Seeking Medical Care Matters

Even if you think it’s just minor scrapes, it’s strongly recommended that you see a doctor on the day of the accident. There are two reasons:

1. Medically: Many injuries (concussion, internal bleeding, hairline fractures) may not show obvious symptoms early on. Professional medical examination is the only way to rule out hidden dangers
2. Legally: Medical records are crucial evidence proving the causal link between your injuries and the accident. If you wait several days before seeing a doctor, the other party may argue the injuries weren’t caused by the accident

Things to Note When Seeking Medical Care

• Tell the doctor this was a traffic accident injury and ask them to document all injuries in detail
• Request a medical certificate (original copy; you can request an extra one as backup)
• Keep all original medical expense receipts
• If follow-up visits are needed, keep records and receipts from every visit

Common Cycling Accident Injuries

Injury Type	Common Areas	Notes
Road rash	Elbows, knees, hips	Clean wounds properly to prevent infection
Fractures	Collarbone, wrist, ribs	Collarbone fracture is the most common cycling fracture
Concussion	Head	Concussion can occur even if the helmet isn’t cracked
Shoulder dislocation	Shoulder joint	Don’t attempt to relocate it yourself
Ligament damage	Knees, wrists	Initial swelling may mask ligament issues
Soft tissue injury	Whole body	Bruises may not appear until 24-48 hours later

Step 4: Follow-up Legal Procedures (1-30 Days After the Accident)

Apply for the Preliminary Traffic Accident Analysis Report

About 30 days after filing the police report, you can apply for the Preliminary Traffic Accident Analysis Report at the police precinct with jurisdiction. This document provides an initial determination of the accident’s cause and is a key basis for subsequent negotiations and claims.

If you disagree with the preliminary findings, you can apply for an appraisal from the Vehicle Accident Appraisal Committee within 6 months. The appraisal fee is approximately NT$3,000, usually borne by the party found at fault or the party with greater negligence.

Settlement Negotiations

After receiving the preliminary analysis report, you can begin negotiating a settlement with the other party:

Items you can claim compensation for:

• Medical expenses (already incurred and estimated future costs)
• Lost wages (income lost during the period you couldn’t work due to injury)
• Bicycle repair or replacement costs
• Damaged gear costs (helmet, cycling jersey, cycling shoes, etc.)
• Pain and suffering compensation (depending on injury severity)
• Transportation costs (transportation to and from medical appointments)
• Caregiving costs (if you require assistance from others)

Settlement notes:

• Make sure all injuries have been fully treated or at least have a clear prognosis before settling—don’t settle too early
• The settlement agreement should be clear and complete, including the settlement amount, payment method, and release clause
• It’s recommended to have a lawyer or legal professional review the settlement agreement
• Settlement doesn’t have to be conducted at a police station or mediation committee, but going through official channels offers more protection

Apply for Mediation

If both parties can’t reach a settlement on their own, you can apply for mediation through the Mediation Committee of the township, city, or district office. Mediation is free and has legal effect—a successful mediation is as binding as a court judgment.

Civil Litigation

If mediation fails, the last resort is to file a civil lawsuit in court. The statute of limitations for civil claims in traffic accidents is 2 years (counted from when you became aware of the damage and the party liable for compensation). Don’t exceed the time limit.

Step 5: Insurance Claims (7-90 Days After the Accident)

Notify Your Own Insurance Company

If you have accident insurance, medical insurance, or similar coverage, notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. Most insurance companies require notification within 5 to 10 days of the accident.

Claim Against the Other Party’s Insurance

If the other party was at fault, you can file a claim with their insurance company:

• Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance: If the other party was driving a motor vehicle and has compulsory insurance, you can file a claim under it. Compulsory insurance pays out regardless of fault ratio—as long as there’s an injury, you can claim
• Voluntary Third-Party Liability Insurance: If the other party has this coverage, you can claim compensation beyond what compulsory insurance covers

Documents Required for Claims

• [ ] Claim application form
• [ ] Police report (three-copy form)
• [ ] Preliminary Traffic Accident Analysis Report
• [ ] Medical certificate (original)
• [ ] Medical expense receipts (original)
• [ ] Bicycle repair estimate or scrappage certificate
• [ ] Photos of damaged gear and proof of purchase
• [ ] Proof of income (if claiming lost wages)
• [ ] Settlement agreement (if already settled)

Psychological Recovery After an Accident

Many people overlook the psychological impact of a car accident. It is normal to experience the following reactions after a serious accident:

• Feeling fear or anxiety when riding again
• Feeling tense when riding near the accident site
• Repeatedly replaying the accident in your mind
• Being overly alert to cars and motorcycles on the road
• Sleep disturbances

If these reactions do not improve after several weeks, it is recommended to seek professional psychological counseling. If post-traumatic stress reactions are left unaddressed, they may affect your long-term riding confidence and quality of life.

When getting back on the road, you can start with short-distance routes with low traffic volume to gradually rebuild your confidence. Riding with a trusted cycling companion is also a great way to ease back in.

Conclusion

The core principles of accident handling are only three: protect your own safety, preserve the evidence at the scene, and safeguard your subsequent rights. Keep this SOP in mind, or save this article on your phone. Hopefully you will never need it, but if you do, at least you will know what to do.

Ride safe, and get home safely.

Related Reading

• Bicycle Accident Handling and Legal Knowledge: A Complete Rights Guide for Taiwanese Cyclists
• On-Scene Handling of Bicycle Accidents: First Aid Basics and the Reporting Process
• Emergency Response After a Bicycle Accident: On-Scene Management of Abrasions, Fractures, and Head Impacts
• Bicycle Road Accident Response: On-Scene First Aid for Abrasions, Impacts, and Fractures