Bicycle accidents can happen for several reasons. You may have been riding your bike on the sidewalk and were hit by a car. Or you may have been riding in the street and were hit by a truck. Most cyclists are cautious, but accidents can still happen. They sustain injuries ranging from bruises and scrapes to broken bones. No matter what the circumstances of your accident, there are some things you need to do right away to protect yourself and make sure you get the compensation you deserve. This article will outline some of the most important things you need to do after a bicycle accident.
1. Contact an Attorney
After seeking medical attention and gathering all the necessary information, the next step is contacting an experienced bicycle accident attorney. An attorney from Stapp Law, LLC will help you understand your legal rights and options and guide you through the process of filing a claim. They will also make sure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
Do not try to handle your case on your own. There will be lawyers for the insurance companies who are working hard to minimize the money they have to pay. You need someone on your side who knows how to deal with the insurance companies and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
2. Get Medical Attention
Whenever you are involved in an accident, you must seek medical attention. This is especially true if you have been injured no matter how best you are at riding bikes. Even if you don’t think you are badly hurt, seeing a doctor is still a good idea. Many injuries, such as broken bones, can take time to show up and may not cause pain until later. If you do not seek medical attention after your accident, you could end up with a more severe injury that could have been prevented.
When you go to the doctor, tell them how the accident happened. They will need this information to document your injuries properly. If you decide to file a claim against the person who hit you, the doctor’s notes will be very important evidence.
3. Get Contact Information from the Other Driver
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Once you have been seen by a doctor and are feeling better, you should gather information from the other driver. This includes their name, address, phone number, and insurance information. Getting the driver’s license plate number and car make and model is also a good idea.
If possible, try to get a witness to the accident. They can provide important information, such as what happened leading up to the accident and the speed of the vehicles involved. If there are any photos or videos of the accident, collect them as well. You will need all of this information if you decide to file a claim against the other driver. It is also a good idea to record all expenses related to your accident. This could include medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage.
4. Don’t Give a Statement to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
After you have been involved in an accident, the other driver’s insurance company may try to contact you. They may even come to your house or hospital room. They may try to get you to give them a recorded statement about what happened or sign some documents. It would help if you did not do any of these things.
The insurance companies are not your friends. They are in business to make money and will do whatever they can to minimize the amount of money they have to pay. If you give them a statement, it will only be used against you later on. The same is true for any documents you sign.
The best thing you can do is refer the insurance company to your attorney. Your attorney will deal with the insurance companies for you so that you don’t have to worry about saying or doing anything that could hurt your case.
5. Don’t Wait Too Long to Take Action
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, taking action as soon as possible is essential. Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim. This means you only have a certain amount of time to take legal action. You could lose your right to file a claim if you wait too long.
Most states give you two years to submit a claim for personal injury. That indicates that you have 2 years after the date of your incident to file a lawsuit. This may seem like a long time, but it can take months or even years to recover from your injuries fully. It is essential to contact an attorney as soon as possible so that they can begin working on your case.
6. Keep Detailed Records
One of the most important things you can do after a bicycle accident is to keep detailed records. This includes keeping track of all your medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. It is also important to keep a journal of how the accident has affected your life. This could include everything from difficulty sleeping to changes in your daily routine.
The insurance companies will want to see all this information when evaluating your claim. If you can provide them with evidence of how the accident has impacted your life, it will help them understand the seriousness of your injuries.
It is also important to keep track of any conversations you have with the insurance companies or your attorney. This information can be helpful later on if there are any disputes about what was said or done.
If you cannot keep track of all this information, ask a friend or family member to help you. You want to ensure that everything is documented correctly to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
If you have been in a bicycle accident, taking action as soon as possible is vital. Remember, you only have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit, so don’t wait too long to get started on your case. By following these steps, you will be better positioned to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
