According to statistics from the Center for Diseases and Prevention (CDC), cyclists are faced with a higher risk of crash-related deaths and injuries compared to motor vehicle occupants.
In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority Administration announced that more than 7000 died from car crashes.
The above statistics point to the fact that any cyclist is at risk of getting involved in an accident.
As such, it is important to understand what to do in case you get involved in such an accident. Most cyclists fail to get justice after an accident simply because they are not aware of the steps to take.
Below is a list of the things you can do in case you are involved in a bicycle accident:
1. Remain safe where the accident happened
This is one of the most important rules! Do not move away from the accident’s scene. In case you are in the middle of the road, move a little bit so that that you don’t get hit again by passing vehicles and bicycles.
What most people don’t know is that they can be accused of hit and run even if they are cycling. The best option is to remain put where the accident has occurred and wait.
2. Check for the injuries
Take some time to check the extent of the injuries from the bike accident. Common injuries from such accidents include broken bones, whiplash, concussions, or lacerations. Sometimes it might not be easy to know where exactly you have been injured because of the high amount of adrenaline.
3. Call the police
Immediately you get involved in an accident, contact 911. It is very important to tarry till the police arrive at the scene and file a report. You may be convinced that you are injured and opt to go away. However, some injuries from bike accidents do not manifest instantly.
Some injuries may also appear mild but later turn out to be permanent. Leaving the accident scene will make it difficult to know the at-fault driver.
It is good to remain calm and wait for the police to come and assess the situation. The police will ticket the driver once they arrive – which can help your bicycle accident lawyer to file a strong case.
4. Exchange information
Remember to get important contact information car driver. Ensure to get information such as addresses, name, phone number, insurance information, driver’s license if possible. If there are any eyewitnesses, then try also to request their contact information.
You can request someone else to take down this information on your behalf in case you are severely injured. Such information will be crucial for your personal injury lawyer during the court hearings and submissions. Do not worry in case you don’t have bicycling insurance. Your bicycle accident lawyer will advise you on this issue.
5. Gather evidence
After exchanging the necessary information, the next step is to collect evidence. This includes writing down names of together with contact information of any witnesses that were present when the accident occurred as well as taking pictures.
It is recommended that you leave your bike at the exact position where the accident happened. Don’t try to fix anything. You can call your personal injury lawyer to help you with documenting the evidence if the accident left you with bad injuries.
In case you were wearing a Go-Pro camera, ensure that the video footage of the accident is backed up well to serve as evidence.
6. Record the injuries
Ensure that you contact a doctor as soon as the accident happens. There are certain injuries that you won’t be able to tell immediately after the accident unless you are examined by a doctor. A doctor will be able to assess the injuries and put everything on record.
The doctor’s injury report will be crucial when the West coast trial lawyers are compiling evidence to be used when the proceedings begin.
You should also take several pictures of your injuries soon after the accident occurs. Besides, you can also keep a journal of symptoms from the time of the accident until the time you get healed.
7. Inform your insurance company about the accident
It is true that your car accident won’t be able to cover for damages caused during a bike accident. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t have any insurance cover for bicycle accidents.
In case you already have a personal injury protection cover, homeowners or renter’s insurance, inform the insurance company about the accident. Ensure that you provide them with all the evidence collected where the accident happened. It is also advisable to involve the services of West Coast trial lawyers at this stage.
8. Avoid any engagement with the at-fault party lawyer or insurance company
This is a mistake that most people make without knowing. Don’t engage with the at-fault party lawyers or insurance company before talking to your own bicycle accident lawyer Los Angeles. This is because any information you divulge may be used against you during the case.
It is also possible to resolve a bicycle injury case without going to court. You can talk to your bicycle accident lawyer Los Angeles and ask them to write a letter to the insurance company for a settlement. This will save a lot in terms of time and legal expenses.
9. Retain an experienced bicycle accident lawyer
Insurance companies can be stubborn when it comes to bicycle injury compensations. They can take you circles if they realize you don’t have a lawyer or if you have hired an inexperienced lawyer. The best way to deal with this is to hire a lawyer who has adequate experience in representing bicycle accident victims.
There are various ways on how you can find an experienced personal injury lawyer. One of them is through referrals. You can also check online for lawyers with the best reviews. But you should also look for ways to prevent the accident from happening.
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