If you were recently a bicycle accident victim, you might feel overwhelmed, stressed, and confused. You may be unsure how to proceed, and the trauma from the accident may lead you to make rash decisions.
However, taking the proper steps after your bicycle accident can improve your chances of receiving compensation and recovering fully. Read on to learn seven tips to remember after your bicycle accident. Then contact our bike accident attorney to schedule a free consultation.
1. Report the Accident to the Police as Soon as Possible
After your bike accident, you may be tempted to get up, walk it off, and leave the scene without taking action. However, we strongly recommend calling the police to create an accident report — even if you believe it wasn’t very severe.
A police report can serve as vital evidence in your insurance claim or lawsuit if you begin one. This report can include all of the essential details about the accident, including:
- Photos of the accident scene
- The time, date, and location of the crash
- Contact information of any parties involved
- Information about fault
- An estimate of property damage
You can submit this report to the insurance company to show that you were not at fault for the accident.
2. Take Photos of the Crash, If You Can
If you can walk around after the bike crash, you should take photos of the scene from multiple angles.
The police report may only include a few basic photos of the crash. However, the more pictures you have, the more evidence you can provide the insurance company. You should also take up-close photos of the damage to your bike, any skid marks on the road, the damage to the vehicles involved, road signs or crosswalk markings, and other essential details that could help your case.
The insurer can use these photos to determine how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
3. Schedule a Medical Exam, Even If You Feel Okay
You’ll probably feel at least a little bruised and banged up after your bicycle accident, but you may assume these symptoms will subside with time. However, we recommend seeking medical attention after your accident, even if you feel okay.
A medical exam can help you identify any underlying issues you may overlook in the commotion following the crash. Catching these issues early can help you treat them before they worsen.
However, your medical documentation can also serve as evidence of your injuries in an insurance claim. The insurer can review your medical bills to determine how much money to award you.
Additionally, seeking medical treatment right away can showcase the severity of the accident, which may help you obtain more compensation.
4. Preserve the Condition of your Bike and Gear
You may want to repair your bike and throw away your damaged gear immediately following the crash. However, you should preserve the condition of all items damaged in the crash until your insurance claim goes through.
An insurance adjuster may visit your property to observe your bicycle damage and discuss your injuries. Keeping these items in their post-accident condition can support the accident’s severity.
5. Take Caution When Communicating with the At-Fault Party’s Insurer
The at-fault party’s insurance company will likely reach out to you a few days after the crash to begin your insurance claim. As you talk to this insurer, be sure not to admit any fault for the accident or downplay the damages. You want to obtain as much compensation as possible from the insurer, so you should ensure the insurer knows the accident’s severity.
If possible, you should have your bike accident attorney talk with the insurer on your behalf.
6. Avoid Posting About the Accident on Social Media
Resist the temptation to post photos of your bicycle accident on Facebook to alert your friends and family members to the accident. You should avoid posting about the accident until after receiving your insurance payout.
In a worst-case scenario, the insurance company or at-fault party’s accident attorney may obtain this Facebook post as evidence against you in your accident case. They may view your Facebook activity as a sign that you are recovering well from the accident and do not need as much money to move forward.
7. Contact a Bike Accident Attorney as Soon as Possible
Finally, we recommend hiring a competent bike accidents lawyer to help you navigate your accident case.
At DiBiaggio Law, we’ve helped numerous injured cyclists like you receive adequate compensation to move forward from their injuries. We’d be happy to walk you through the insurance claims process, help you gather evidence, and represent you in court if necessary.
Contact our bike accident attorney team today at (561) 473-9800, or fill out our online form, to request your free consultation.
Copyright © 2022 DiBiaggio Law. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
DiBiaggio Law
605 Belvedere Road, Suite 17
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
(561) 473-9800
https://dibiaggiolaw.com/