This Is What to Do if You Were Hit While Riding a Bicycle
In 2019, 843 bicyclists were killed in crashes with other vehicles. Riding a bicycle on the road can be quite dangerous and can lead to many serious injuries, even if they are not fatal.
If you are involved in bicycle accidents, it is important that you know the next steps to take to get fairly compensated. Do you want to learn more about common bicycle injuries, how to hire a lawyer after a bicycle accident, and more?
Keep reading this step-by-step article for a list of things you must do after getting in an accident while riding a bicycle.
Immediately Call 9-1-1
If you are hit while riding your bicycle, you must immediately call 9-1-1. If you have been injured, you should ask them to send emergency medical services to the scene as well.
Make sure you get off the road before calling the police. If you are lying on the road, there is always a chance that another car will not see the accident and you may get hit again.
When the police arrive, they will gather more information about the crash and will prepare an official police report to investigate the accident. This will prove vital if you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Get Medical Attention
After calling the police to the scene of the accident, you must get medical attention for your bike accident injuries as soon as possible. Even if you don’t feel like you have been seriously injured, you may have sustained injuries that will not be noticeable until days after the accident.
Getting hit while you are on your bike can cause more than just scrapes and bruises. It can also lead to whiplash, broken bones, concussions, and other more serious medical conditions.
If you fail to get medical attention, these injuries may worsen and can potentially be life-threatening. Even if this is not the case, it is important to get medical care if you are planning on filing a personal injury case.
If you postpone your medical care, it may be difficult to prove that your bike accident is what caused your injuries.
Don’t Discuss the Accident
After getting into a bicycle accident, it is important that you do not discuss it with anyone except a doctor, a lawyer, or the police. Anything you say can be used by the driver’s insurance company in a case against you.
You shouldn’t speculate who was at fault in the case, what type of injuries you sustained, or anything else until you meet with a lawyer.
Gather Evidence
You should also gather evidence to document the accident and how it occurred. You can take pictures of the scene, your bike, and anything else that may have caused the injury.
For example, if there was bad weather that caused the accident or if the driver failed to see a stop sign, then having these photos can be helpful in your case. You can prove that you were following all bicycle safety regulations and that the driver was at fault.
You can also ask the police for a copy of their report after ensuring that it was filled out accurately.
Document Your Injuries
If you have been injured in your bicycle accident, you also must document your injuries. For example, you can take photos of your scrapes and bruises, broken bones, or any other easily identifiable injuries.
When you visit the doctor, you can also document the diagnosis that they provide. If you have a concussion, whiplash, or any other injuries that are not visible, it is important to note these.
Similarly, you should document any losses or expenses that come from your bike accident injuries. For example, if you are unable to work after getting hit on your bicycle, you can include lost wages as one of your losses. You can also include your medical expenses.
Having this information documented will provide you with additional evidence if you pursue a personal injury claim.
Consult With a Bike Accident Attorney
To make sure you get the most accurate advice for your bicycle accident, it is important that you consult an attorney who specializes in bicycle accidents. Most personal injury attorneys will offer free consultations and other legal help.
This will allow you to describe the details of your accident.
Your attorney can help you understand the legal steps you need to take to receive compensation for your accident. They will also help you understand your rights after a bicycle accident.
When working with a bike accident attorney, they can help you prove that the other party was at fault, which is often necessary if you want to get compensation.
They will also increase the likelihood of you receiving fair compensation. Without a legal professional on your side, it can be difficult to gather evidence for your case. However, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.
This means that you will not have to pay them until they help you win your settlement. When attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, you can feel confident that they will do everything in their power to get you a fair settlement.
File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
After meeting with a bicycle accident attorney, they can help you file a personal injury lawsuit for your accident. If the driver was negligent or at fault in the accident, a personal injury claim will help you get fairly compensated.
It will cover the cost of your injuries, medical bills, and any other damages that resulted from the bicycle accident.
Make sure you do not delay when filing a lawsuit. If you wait too long, you may be past the deadline, called the statute of limitations.
The longer you wait, the harder it will be to gather pertinent evidence as well.
Injured While Riding a Bicycle? We Can Help
When you are injured riding a bicycle, you must take immediate action. By following each of these tips, you will be more likely to get fairly compensated after a bicycle accident.
Do you want to learn more about how a lawyer can help you after a bike accident? Alpha Accident Lawyers can help! Our team of legal experts specializes in personal injury cases, including bicycle accidents.
Contact us to learn more about the steps you need to take after an accident and to see how we can help you get fairly compensated.
