Cycle falls usually happen themselves. If you get enough advance warning to prepare for a fall, that's about the same time you have to prevent the fall.

If you're hit by something, you have no choice. You will rag doll until you come to a complete stop.

If you're in control and then lose control, you will rag doll until you come to a complete stop

I've had several road bike crashes as an adult. They have usually ended badly.

Crash 1. Buddy cut me off thanks to silly riding. Knocked unconscious, broke skull (even wearing a helmet) and pelvis (buddy landed of top of me), lotsa road rash and broken but rideable bike.
Crash 2. Car pulled out in front of me and I 'endo'd' into the front of the car. Knocked unconscious and broke 4 ribs, no road rash (winter) but broken bike
Crash 3. New bike, hadn't loosened pedal so fell when trying to unclip at a stoplight. Hit a roadside bollard and broke 2 ribs. minor scratches on the bike.
Crash 4. rounded a roundabout and hit a patch of diesel in the rain. Unhurt but broke the carbon seat stay on the bike.

During those crashes, I had absolutely NO chance of falling gracefully. Down before I even knew there was an issue (except the endo, where according to the security video, I flapped my arms once :-)

Our cycling coaches had us practice judo rolls (tuck the chin in and roll across one shoulder) so that it was a reflex reaction during crashes.

Do your best to not reach out to break the fall. Hold onto your bars, try to counter steer, save it, whatever. Holding your bars presents multiple points of impact, a natural curve on your body for rolling to dissipate the energy and helps to not break bones; specifically, a collar bone. Best of luck and keep the rubber side down.