Following the rules of the road on your bicycle in Indiana should be as natural as when you are driving your car. Just like when you are in the car, though, this does not always protect you from the vehicles around you. If you were hit by a car while riding your bicycle, you should call law enforcement and file a police report the same as you would after any other traffic crash.
According to Bicycling magazine, law enforcement officers do not always approach a bicycle-vehicle collision with an unbiased view. In fact, many cyclists claim they have been the victim of road rage or carelessness, and have still been blamed for the crash by the responding officers. Although bicyclists have the same rights on the road as motorists, authorities often have the opinion that the motorist is in the right before they even take statements. Frequently, their reports reflect this prejudice.
If you find yourself in this type of situation, it is essential for you to gather eyewitness accounts if at all possible. You will need these and any other facts about the accident you can gather to include in a letter to the officer's superiors. Experts also recommend alerting the media to attempt to raise awareness, as well as contacting elected officials about the incident and the dangers bicyclists face.
This information is provided to give you an understanding of what you could face in a bicycle accident. However, it is general in nature, and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
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