In 2019 there were a total of 843 fatalities because of bicycle accidents. Males 20 years and older were the largest group to be affected, with 77% of the fatalities (652). On top of that, there are blank people injured from bicycle accidents every year. These injuries can range from mild to life-threatening, including whiplash, soft tissue injuries, broken bones, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and more.
If you were involved in a bicycle accident, you might be concerned about what steps to take next. The process of filing a lawsuit can be confusing to those who haven’t experienced it before, but a talented attorney will help walk you through the process. Before you hire an attorney, here are some steps you should take to improve your case.
Here’s what you need to do after a bike accident.
After your bicycle accident, you may be flustered, stressed, and in pain. If you’ve never been in a bike accident before, you may not know what to do. If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, here are the steps that you should take. Following these steps can help to build your lawsuit before it’s even started.
If you require immediate medical attention, you should forgo these steps and go to the hospital immediately by ambulance (if necessary). Don’t worry about the following steps, as sticking around could worsen your injuries.
First and foremost, you should exchange information with all parties involved in the bicycle accident, such as other drivers and passengers. Get their insurance information and give them yours. Don’t talk about fault, and don’t apologize.
File a Police Report
Some may try and dissuade you from contacting the police, but you shouldn’t listen to them. Contacting the police to file a police report is a smart choice that will help your case in many ways. A police report will provide hard evidence in regard to what caused the bicycle accident. Some insurance companies may even deny your claim if a police report wasn’t filed.
Document Events and Injuries
While waiting for the police to arrive, you should document as much evidence of your own as possible. Take pictures of all involved vehicles, damage to your bicycle, and pictures of the scene. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of your injuries and record a statement for your own personal use to ensure you don’t forget any important details later on.
Pictures you take could be instrumental in determining fault. For example, a picture that shows skid marks behind the vehicle that hit you could prove that they were speeding and were forced to come to a quick stop.
Obtain Witness Information
It would be best if you also took the time to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the accident. Gather their contact information and encourage them to stick around to speak with the investigating police officer. Having a report with a witness statement on your side is solid evidence that is hard to dispute.
However, some witnesses may not want to speak with the police, so it’s important to get their contact information first so your attorney can contact them for a statement later.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
After you’ve collected as much evidence as possible at the scene of the accident, you should head to the emergency room or your doctor’s office directly. Any delay in receiving medical treatment gives insurance companies an opportunity to downplay your injuries. They’ll state that your injuries must not have been that serious if you didn’t receive immediate medical treatment.
Some injuries may not present themselves right away, such as internal injuries and soft tissue injuries, which may be masked by adrenaline. Even if you don’t believe that you’re injured, you should still seek medical attention to be safe.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
After you’ve collected your own evidence and received medical attention, you should begin to think about hiring an attorney to represent your case. You should thoroughly research your options before making your decision. Look at the track record of potential attorneys and ask about their experience with bike accident cases.
Don’t Speak to Insurance Companies Without an Attorney on Your Side.
You should never speak to an insurance company without an attorney by your side. They may try to trick you into signing away your right to file a lawsuit by offering you quick cash in exchange for a statement.
To avoid being tricked by the antics of an insurance company, hire a talented bicycle accident attorney to represent you. Our talented team of attorneys here at Sand Law in North Dakota has years of experience working on bike accident cases. We’re ready to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your damages.
For more information, please contact us online using our chat box option or by calling us at 701-609-1510.
