If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle versus vehicle accident, it can be hard to know what you should do at the scene of the bicycle accident. Safeguard your health and safety by accepting emergency medical care offered. It would help if you also insisted on police being called to the scene right away.
Other actions you take at the scene can benefit your personal injury case. Make sure to exchange information with the police and the at-fault driver if your injuries permit you to do so. Avoid talking to the at-fault driver and do not make any verbal or written statements about the accident.
Call Local Police to the Accident Scene
Do not allow yourself to be persuaded to forego calling the police or filing a report. An official report documents many factors of your case and can provide your legal team with the following important information:
- Key contact details
- An investigative narrative
- Readily apparent injuries
- Points of impact
- Road and weather conditions
- Causes and contributing factors
The bicycle accident lawyer handling your case will use this information to substantiate your compensation request and steer your case toward a settlement versus a trial.
Seek or Accept Medical Care for Your Injuries
If you are offered emergency medical care at the scene of the accident, do not refuse. Shock and confusion can leave you unaware of some injuries. Allow emergency medical personnel to examine you for your safety.
Do not let concern over the cost of medical care cloud your judgment or prevent you from getting the help you need. The at-fault driver can be held accountable for the cost of any accident-related medical care you receive.
In addition, refusing care at the scene could negate your claim of injuries you discover later. If you do not accept immediate medical care, seek medical attention immediately on your own or at the first sign of any signs and symptoms of injury.
Obtain as Much Information as You Can
If your injuries allow you to do so, try to get as much information as possible that supports your right to recover damages from the negligent driver, including:
- Driver and witness contact information
- Notes on the location of nearby cameras
- A description of the at-fault vehicle
- The vehicle’s make, model, and tag number
If your injuries prevent you from doing so, ask a friend or bystander to do so for you, if possible. When you work with a personal injury law firm, their legal team will handle post-accident evidence collection for you so you can concentrate on getting better or helping a loved one through their recovery.
Consider Hiring a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bicycle use is becoming increasingly popular amid concerns about the environment, the cost of gas, and physical fitness. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics, approximately 130,000 bicyclists are seriously injured and nearly 1,000 bicyclists are fatally injured in collisions on an annual basis. These accidents cost more than $23 billion each year.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident or someone you love was fatally injured, a personal injury lawyer can help you build a strong case for financial recovery. Your lawyer will handle all the details of building your case, including:
- Investigating
- Proving liability
- Assessing value
- Negotiating a settlement
It is never too soon to request a free case review or put a personal injury law firm to work on your case.
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
Bicycle Accidents FAQs
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Your right to recover damages from the at-fault driver is limited by the statute of limitations in your state. If you do not comply with the statute, you might forfeit your right to file your lawsuit and be left with no legal recourse compelling the at-fault driver to compensate you.
A bicycle accident lawyer near you can explain your filing deadline and ensure your case is filed on time.
Compensation Your Lawyer Can Help You Recover
After a bicycle accident, your attorney can help you recover the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Past, present, and future medical bills
- Past, present, and future lost earnings
- Treatment-related travel expenses
- Bicycle damage or total destruction
- Physical disfigurement or impairment
- Ongoing physical pain and suffering
- Ongoing mental and emotional distress
If someone you love was fatally injured in the accident, family members can recover the costs of their funeral, burial, and other wrongful death damages.
Call for a Free Review of Your Bicycle Accident Case
If you or someone you love was injured in a collision between a bicycle and a vehicle, you could recover financial compensation. What you do at the scene of the bicycle accident can make a difference in your case and your ability to recover damages.
Contact our case review team at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers to learn more about how your actions affect your case and how hard our legal team fights for you.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form