Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident is rarely an accident. Instead, these crashes are usually caused by negligent drivers who make poor choices on the road and they are usually totally preventable. Bicycle accidents also often cause cyclists to suffer some of the most serious injuries. If you have been hurt, you likely have the right to hold the driver who crashed into you liable for paying damages, or compensation, for your losses. Below, our Daniel Island personal injury lawyer outlines the steps to take to make sure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Call 911
You should report any bicycle accident to the police as soon as possible. Calling 911 as soon as you have been hit will call police and paramedics to the scene. The paramedics can provide the immediate medical treatment you need to ensure your injuries do not become worse. The police will write and file a report, which can document your accident and prove to the insurance company that you were actually hurt.
Seek Medical Treatment
If paramedics come to the scene, you may not have to seek any additional medical treatment. However, they may take you to the emergency room for further testing or treatment. If paramedics do not come to the scene at all, it is essential that you obtain medical treatment on your own. Visit the emergency room and tell the doctor who treats you that you were injured in a bicycle accident. Fully explain all of your symptoms to make sure they are documented.
Locate Witnesses
Eyewitness testimony holds a lot of weight when proving your injuries to the court or the insurance company. Eyewitnesses do not have anything to gain or lose in a bicycle accident case. As such, they are considered to be very credible and can greatly help your accident case. Locate any witnesses after a crash and ask them for their names and contact information.
Take Photos and Video Footage
Photos and video footage of the accident scene are immensely helpful when proving how the accident occurred. Take photos of the accident scene as a whole, any damage to the vehicles involved, including your bike, as well as your injuries.
Do Not Repair Your Bike
You may want to repair or replace your bike right away, particularly if you plan on riding it again soon. However, this is a mistake. Preserving your bike in the condition it is in immediately after the accident can prove the extent of the damage and may also show how the crash occurred by showing where you were hit.
Call Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Mt. Pleasant
In the days following a bicycle accident, the insurer representing the negligent driver may contact you and offer a settlement. Before speaking to them, it is critical that you contact our Mt. Pleasant personal injury lawyer at Fuller Law Firm. Our experienced attorney can speak to the insurance company on your behalf so you receive the maximum settlement you need to recover from your injuries. Call us now at 843-277-0013 or contact us online to request a consultation and to get more information.
Source:
scstatehouse.gov/code/t15c038.php
