The most scary situation a cyclist can ever imagine is getting into an accident with a motor vehicle. It is not only frightening but also life-threatening. In light of this grim realization, you must keep cool during the bicycle accident. Keeping your cool ensures that you do not do something that may result in future regrets.
In light of the above, there are various facts that you should know as soon as a bicycle accident happens. They include that your reaction to the situation shall ultimately affect any compensation you may get if you file a bicycle accident claim. You must also know that at all times, ensure you protect yourself from any further harm.
We shall explore the steps you should follow as soon as you find yourself in a bicycle accident. The steps outlined below apply to both sophisticated and traditional bicycles.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident? Wait for the Police to Arrive
It is of great importance that you wait for the police to arrive at the accident scene. Please do not walk away unless it is essential and wise. The reason for walking away from the bicycle accident scene may include that your life may be in danger if you continue staying at the location or that injuries shall be aggravated if you do not seek immediate medical attention. However, without any reason to walk away, you should wait for the police officer or officers to arrive.
When the police arrive at the bicycle accident scene, they shall assess the accident scene to be able to prepare and file a police report as to the happenings at the accident scene. The police shall ask questions that enable them to assemble a police report. They shall also look at the extent of damage as well as injury that has been brought forth by the bicycle accident.
It is worth noting that in certain instances, a cyclist may be injured and think or have reasons to believe they are not damaged. The injuries suffered may not be felt immediately by the cyclist but shall be felt after many hours following the accident. These injuries may be life-threatening as they most often include internal injuries that increase in intensity as the hours go by. These injuries may not only result in death but also life-long injuries that would likely affect daily activities.
It turns on the above that you must not leave the accident scene because if you go and later on develop complications, you may not be able to know the at-fault driver and certainly not get compensated.
The other advantage of waiting for the police to arrive at the bicycle accident scene is that the police may give the driver a ticket, which would be helpful to evidence and an essential tool in settling the case with the relevant insurance company. In light of this, you must be present at the scene, as your presence shall help protect your interests.
7. Don’t Argue or Attempt to Negotiate With the Driver
Most drivers’ habit is to be apologetic and accept blame after the accident. This is what they initially do before they realize the gravity of the situation. When they discover their liability’s full extent, they may likely recant their previous acceptance of liability and even deny that they were at the bicycle accident scene.
While the above is what usually happens, some drivers may start arguing with you and even blame you for the accident, the evidence against such blame notwithstanding. These arguments may not only drain you but may also lead to undesired consequences such as physical violence.
6. Get Your Version of Events into the Accident Report
When the police come to the accident scene, they aim to get an accident report. These accident reports shall incorporate what they see as well as what they hear. The danger with allowing them to assess the accident scene without your input is that the accident report may not be accurate. The inaccurate information may result from the lies or half-truths given by those whose version of events is recorded. If the police only speak to the driver, ensure you talk to them too. It would be best if you told your story.
By telling the police your version of the story, you shall not only be aiming at their being an accurate police report but also ensuring that the full extent of your injuries is included in the accident report. In light of this, you must ensure that even the slightest injuries you suffered due to the bicycle accident are accurately captured. It should be noted that minor injuries may ultimately blow up and become significant.
It should be noted that some police officers, crooked or otherwise, may refuse to take your version of events. Suppose this happens despite your effort and diligence to ensure they have included your version of events. In that case, you can follow up with them later so that the accident report can be amended to include your statement of what happened.
5. Obtain Driver and Witness Contact Information After the Accident
As any trial or negotiation shall largely depend on evidence, you must put together evidence and information from the bicycle accident scene. It is, therefore, incumbent upon you to try as much as possible to get the details of the motor vehicle’s driver, including their name, vehicle registration number, phone number, license number, and insurance information.
It may also be possible that there are people who witnessed the accident. It is doubtful that the police will adequately record their information or do anything about them. It is, therefore, necessary that you get their names and addresses so that they can corroborate your story if the matter proceeds to trial or during the negotiations with the driver’s insurance company.
It is possible that you may not have the capacity to take such information for the reason of disability following the accident. If so, you may ask a bystander to assist you in getting the information. While requesting their help, you must try as much as possible to ensure that you ask them respectfully. If they do not accept, you may ask other people to assist you with getting the information.
4. Document How the Bike-Car Accident Happened
As indicated above, the battle for compensation shall largely rest on the shoulders of the amount of evidence one has. It follows from this that some aspects of information must be present. The information required includes but is not limited to the following:
- How the accident happened. This should include a summary of the events before, during, and after the accident occurred;
- The time when the accident happened. It would be in your best interest if you were specific on the timelines within which the accident occurred;
- The place from which the accident happened;
- The traffic condition, as well as any related conditions;
- The weather conditions;
- The people who were present at the scene of the accident;
- When the police arrived;
- driver’s license number;
- the immediate aftermath of the accident;
- Any Peculiarities.
It may be possible that you may not have the capacity to put together the information at the time. In light of this, you may request someone to assemble it for you. If you do not find anyone to put it together for you, you may take a mental note of all this information so that you can put it together when you can.
3. Document Your Bike Accident Injuries
As pointed out above, the success of your bicycle accident claim depends majorly on the amount of evidence in your possession. Therefore, you must document all the injuries that emanate from the accident. You may put together a document that puts together the progress of your recovery every single day.
It is worth noting that when you seek medical attention, the medical reports shall document all, if not most, of your injuries, as some may not be discernible immediately after the accident. It should be noted that the fact that you went for medical attention shall be enough proof that you were injured, as the medical report shall document your injuries, including head and minor injuries. The medical records must be safely kept.
Further to the above, you may document the full extent of the injuries by taking and storing photos and even videos of the accident. You must keep all the documentation in a secure place to avoid tampering.
2. Preserve Evidence of the Bike Accident
As evidence is the common thread that ensures that your claim is successful, you must be acutely aware that preserving the evidence is the most necessary step after putting them together. As this is the case, you must ensure you do not tamper with anything following the accident. Do not attempt to fix the bicycle or any damaged property during the accident. Furthermore, you should not wash the clothing that you wore at the time of the accident.
It is a criminal offense to tamper with the accident scene. Moreover, if you tamper with the accident scene, chances are high that you could take out certain pieces of the location that could be crucial for your case. It is, therefore, of great necessity that you do not interfere with the accident scene.
1. Get a Lawyer’s Help After a Bike Accident
Many bike accidents involve complex and often time novel legal issues. Therefore, you must consult an experienced personal injury attorney who can look into your case and advise on the best way forward. Depending on the amount of information and evidence in your possession, the experienced bicycle accident lawyer shall advise as to how best to proceed, whether or not to negotiate with the insurance company to get adequate and fair compensation or whether or not to file a bike accident lawsuit on your behalf and to assist you in prosecuting the claim.
At the back of your mind, you must refrain from communicating with the insurance companies involved in the matter without having your bike crash lawyer with you or speaking to them before speaking to the insurance company. You must understand that the information you give the insurance company shall be used against your greatest peril.
The experienced bicycle accident attorney may have to hire an expert to bolster the chances of your claim being successful. The bicycle expert shall investigate the bicycle accident and prepare a report that will be useful during the trial.
One must be aware that most injury cases do not proceed to full trial as there is always a present and high likelihood that the insurance company may want to negotiate favorable settlement terms. If the insurance company would like to deal with you, it is not only crucial that you have all the pieces of information in support of your case, but you should also be ready for the negotiations.
Negotiations with insurance companies are usually a tedious endeavor and would require the presence and active participation of an experienced personal injury attorney. Negotiating with insurance adjusters is always time-consuming as the parties are fighting for extreme positions. While, on the one hand, you require maximum compensation, the insurance company, on the other hand, aims to ensure that they pay as little compensation as possible. Having an experienced personal injury attorney fighting for your interests at the negotiation table would be best. Moreover, you must have as much evidence as possible in support of your case so that you can have a massive chance of getting maximum compensation.
If the case warrants it, your attorney can hire a bike accident expert to investigate the accident. That person might obtain skid mark measurements, photograph the scene, speak with additional witnesses, or measure and diagram the accident scene.
Call Big Ben Law Lawyers right away. The team at Big Ben Law is immediately aware of the fear and concern that any bodily harm can cause. Imagine, for example, that you and your family are still suffering from the consequences of a bike accident. If this is the situation, our personal injury lawyers can provide you with the support you need to confidently proceed with the personal injury lawsuit. We’ll carefully examine how the accident occurred to help you establish responsibility for your losses and look into every possible source of compensation for your claim.
The sooner you hire legal representation after bicycle accidents, the better your prospects are of getting the maximum compensation permitted under California’s law. If you’re prepared to discuss your legal options with a skilled team of Big Ben lawyers, contact our team to arrange your free legal consultation.
Put your faith in Big Ben Lawyers to defend your rights. Contact our personal injury lawsuit lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your options. Please get in touch with us right away to discuss your bicycle accident lawsuit.
Is any Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me?
Big Ben Lawyers are near you and available to help you recover compensation in any bike accident lawsuits you may want to pursue in California. We have an experienced team of personal injury lawyers who shall dedicate as much time as necessary to ensure you are adequately compensated. We are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Call us now.
Contact Big Ben Lawyers Today
Big Ben Lawyers’ bike accident lawyers realize how stressful the aftermath of a bike or car accident is. Our Personal Injury Lawyers must assist our clients in getting through this challenging event by aiding them with the convoluted legal process and giving them the best chance of receiving the highest compensation they deserve.
Do not delay if you or a loved one is a victim of a bicycle accident case. Contact Big Ben Lawyers immediately for a free case examination, or phone us at the numbers listed on our website. We also advise the injury victims to put together their medical bills evidence, inform us of the compensation they would want, and tell them of all the issues surrounding their cases.
Do not hesitate to contact our able Firm of Attorneys, and we shall passionately pursue your personal injury cases.