Regardless of whether you are a hardcore bicyclist or a weekend fun-ride type, you are always at risk of serious injury due to collisions with other vehicles. Bicycling accidents have many causes, from distracted driving to failing to follow bicycling laws. It is also difficult at times to determine who was at fault for the accident. An experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you make that determination and get you the compensation you deserve.
While having an attorney on your side can make a big difference in the outcome of your case, there are a number of things that you can do to help them make your case, particularly at the scene of the accident. If you find yourself the victim of a bicycle accident, taking the following steps can help you and your attorney protect your rights.
1. Call 911
The first few moments after an accident can be confusing. Often, people are in shock and don’t realize that they are injured, so they don’t call the police. A day or so later, the pain starts to come and they realize they have no recourse against the person who hit them. Don’t make this mistake. Regardless of whether you think you are injured, call 911.
2. Identify Witnesses
Because bicycle accidents can happen so fast, it is often difficult to know what really happened. If there are people around who may have witnessed the accident, get their contact information and, if you can, an immediate statement of what they saw.
3. Get Medical Attention
Bicycling injuries are often quite obvious, with road rash and broken bones sometimes protruding through skin. Clearly you would seek medical attention for those injuries. Other times, the injuries might be internal and less obvious, especially to someone in shock. Even if you don’t feel any pain, go to the emergency room or to your primary care physician as soon as you possibly can.
4. Keep an Injury Journal
If your injuries are external, take pictures. Write down how you’re feeling each day. Keep track of medical appointments, diagnoses and treatments.
5. Preserve Evidence
It may be your first instinct to get your bike fixed right away. If you can, avoid doing so until you’ve spoken to a bicycle accident attorney. Of course, always take pictures of the damage. If you are able, or can find someone to help you, go back to the scene of the accident and take pictures of the area. This can often be helpful in determining liability in your case.
6. Talk to an Experienced Bicycle Injury Attorney
After a bicycle accident, you may become very popular, particularly with insurance companies. Avoid talking with claims adjusters until you talk to an attorney.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, speaking with an experienced bicycle accident attorney can help take some of the stress out of the process. Trial lawyer Louis P. Lombardi has over 38 years of experience dealing with personal injury claims and will fight to get you the best possible monetary compensation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation or call 888-818-4343.