Bicyclist Anita Daugavietis, 58, killed after getting hit by an SUV on Plainfield Avenue in Kent, Michigan

Anita Daugavietis, 58, was riding her bicycle southbound on Plainfield Avenue near Rockhill Drive around 11:30pm on Tuesday when she was hit by an SUV. She was taken to Grand Rapids Hospital but still died. Amy Vanderwal, the driver of the SUV, said she did not see Daugavietis because there were no lights on her bicycle. According to the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, Daugavietis was not driving under the influence and wasn't speeding when the accident happened.

Take these important steps after an injury or fatal bicycle accident in Michigan

When you have been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, it’s hard to know what needs to be done immediately. Bicycle accidents often cause more severe injuries, and even fatalities, because bike riders are less protected from the impact of a crash. After an accident, a bike rider faces a daily struggle to recover from injuries while dealing with medical bills and lost income. And the families of bike riders killed in collisions must face moving forward without their loved one.

When a bike rider is injured or killed in a crash with a negligent driver, it is critical to get assistance from an experienced bike accident lawyer. Automobile drivers who at first admit fault for a bicycle accident often change their mind after speaking with their insurance company. It is best to investigate a bike accident right away while witnesses’ memories and physical evidence, such as skid marks and paint transfers, are fresh. Traffic cameras have been used to prove that the automobile driver was at a fault. However, the video is usually erased a couple of weeks and sometimes just days after an accident.

Lawyers with experience in bicycle accidents and their team of experts and investigators can start securing evidence right away for your case.

Learn more here about how a bicycle accident attorney can help immediately.