Our bicycle accident lawyers regularly receive telephone calls from victims of personal injury accidents asking “what should I do?” If you are involved in a bicycle accident, take the following steps to protect your rights:
- Call the police/file a report: bicyclists involved in bicycle accidents are often reticent to call the police after an accident. It is critical to substantiate the existence of an accident that you formally report the accident to the police. Also, the police will assist in gathering evidence, identifying witnesses and obtaining medical assistance.
- Get the name, contact information, driver’s license numbers, insurance information and vehicle description from all the drivers involved in the accident. If you are unable to do this, ask someone to help you.
- Gather evidence: finding witnesses to your accident is important to prevailing in a bicycle accident case. If you are up to it, write down the names of anyone who comes to aide you post-accident.
- Obtain medical treatment: lawsuits/claims aside, it is imperative that you obtain medical assistance immediately following a bicycle accident. Allow an ambulance to take you to an emergency room or get there on your own. Often, victims of a bicycle accident are filled with adrenaline immediately post-accident. You may not feel pain for hours. Also, some injuries like concussions may not manifest symptoms until long after the accident. If you hit your head in the accident, don’t hesitate – get to a doctor.
- Take photographs immediately – this includes photos of swelling, bruising, lacerations and abrasions, deformities as well as of the damage to your bicycle and riding gear.
- Keep everything involved in the accident including your bike, the clothes you were wearing, your helmet, cell phone, riding shoes, etc.
- Never give a recorded statement to an insurance company without first consulting a bicycle accident lawyer
- Do not post extensively about the accident on Facebook or other social media – this information is “discoverable” by the insurance company and they will use it against you
- Keep a daily journal of how you are feeling and the way your life is impacted by the accident. Document the pain you’re in, state whether you’re having trouble sleeping, going to the bathroom, showering, etc. Then, date and sign each page of your journal so that it can be used to substantiate your claim
- If you did suffer injuries, contact a bicycle accident lawyer for a free consultation
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, contact the bicycle accident lawyers at 877-CYCLE-88 for a free consultation or visit us online at bikeaccidentadvice.com.
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