It’s nearly March, the worst month of bike accidents in Milan – over 400 every month.
Many of you bike for work, and even when you are extremely careful, there are risks of accidents from bad drivers in Milan.
Too often I talk to victims of bike accidents who did not know what steps they MUST take immediately when the accident happens to protect themselves. If you don’t take the right steps, the person who hit you can try to pass the blame onto you.
Treat an accident like a war. Arm yourself with key evidence to defend your rights.
Here are 5 key things you must do:
1. Take photos – capture the license plate of who hit you, the bike while it is still on the ground, the road, streetlights, and any people present who saw what happened. Make sure you have the time and date precisely as well.
The team will need to reconstruct the scene to establish blame and that it is not your fault. The more photos, from different angles, the better.
2. Get a confession – fill out what is called a ‘modello di constatazione amichevole’ and get the other person to write a phrase along the lines of the following in Italian which admit guilt: ‘non ho dato la precedenza’ (I did not give the right of way), ‘non ho tenuto la distanza’ (I did not keep distance), ‘non ho rispettato lo stop’ (I did not stop), ‘ho torto’ (I’m wrong, it is my fault). Make sure they sign it.
Keep a copy. This is basically a confession statement.
** MAKE SURE IN YOUR BAG YOU ALWAYS HAVE A COPY READY – SEE ATTACHMENT**
3. Call an ambulance. Sometimes you may feel fine in the moment. The rush of adrenaline and fear can hide true pain. Many people only a day later realise how hurt they are. It costs nothing to call for medical help (dial 118). We recommend to call an ambulance in every case. Get all the documents from them about any injury you have incurred. This is essential to get you money later on.
4. Get the numbers and mobile phone numbers of any witnesses present. By law they have to give you their details.
5. Contact us immediately. We will defend your rights and get you compensation. Do not wait – the longer time goes by, the harder it is to make a strong case for you and hold the person who hit you responsible.
