When I was hit, I nearly didn't follow my own advice, and I'm really glad that I did. I suggest that you commit these basics to memory, or even carry a card with these instructions on it for every ride, tour or not.
If You Are Hit or Have an Accident During a Bike Tour:
Call 911 (or have a Ride Marshal call for an ambulance);
Make sure either you or the Police (not a ride marshal or other rider) take down the contact and insurance information of the person who hit you or who you collided with (always carry ID of course);
Get in the ambulance and go to the Emergency Room (keep all papers you receive from police, ambulance, and ER);
See if someone can take your bike for you, and make sure to exchange contact info so you can get it back;
When you get home, contact a lawyer even if you think you don't have a case in the event that it turns out you do (the lawyer will tell you if you have a case or not, and get paid a percentage of whatever is due you--which will be significantly more than it would be without a lawyer);
Contact your insurance company about any damage to or loss of your bike--if it's someone else's fault they will recover the deductible from their insurer. (Don't let the other person's insurance company determine the damages. If you don't have insurance, take it to a bicycle shop and have their claims adjuster inspect the bike there along with YOUR bike mechanic).
See an orthopedist one week after your visit to the Emergency Room. (If it's on No Fault you can go straight to an orthopedist who takes No Fault insurance--so you don't have to use your own; if it's on your insurance, and it requires a referral from your general practitioner, visit your doctor the very next day and get the referral--but absolutely go see the orthopedist).
Anything that hurts a week after, get an MRI.
If You Are Hit or Have an Accident During a Bike Tour:
Call 911 (or have a Ride Marshal call for an ambulance);
Make sure either you or the Police (not a ride marshal or other rider) take down the contact and insurance information of the person who hit you or who you collided with (always carry ID of course);
Get in the ambulance and go to the Emergency Room (keep all papers you receive from police, ambulance, and ER);
See if someone can take your bike for you, and make sure to exchange contact info so you can get it back;
When you get home, contact a lawyer even if you think you don't have a case in the event that it turns out you do (the lawyer will tell you if you have a case or not, and get paid a percentage of whatever is due you--which will be significantly more than it would be without a lawyer);
Contact your insurance company about any damage to or loss of your bike--if it's someone else's fault they will recover the deductible from their insurer. (Don't let the other person's insurance company determine the damages. If you don't have insurance, take it to a bicycle shop and have their claims adjuster inspect the bike there along with YOUR bike mechanic).
See an orthopedist one week after your visit to the Emergency Room. (If it's on No Fault you can go straight to an orthopedist who takes No Fault insurance--so you don't have to use your own; if it's on your insurance, and it requires a referral from your general practitioner, visit your doctor the very next day and get the referral--but absolutely go see the orthopedist).
Anything that hurts a week after, get an MRI.
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