Many people do not realize how common bicycle injuries are. Although the vast majority of bicycle accidents are not fatal, more than 1000 people in the United States die in bicycle accidents each year.
There are many more non-fatal bicycle accidents. However, even non-fatal accidents can be serious and affect your quality of life. If you are not careful about what you do after a bike accident, you might accidentally take a bad problem and make it worse.
On the other hand, if you are prepared for a bike accident, you will be able to minimize how it affects your quality of life. Sooner or later, you will probably be in a bicycle accident, even if it is a small one. However, to be prepared for every eventuality, it is essential to know in advance what to do.
So what should you focus on when you have been in a bicycle accident,? Read on to learn all about the most important things to pay attention to in the aftermath of a bicycle accident!
Gather Evidence if Possible
One of the reasons it is so important to know how to handle the aftermath of a bicycle accident in advance is that some of the steps cannot be taken if you do not take them right away.
Of course, right after an accident, your number one priority should be your safety. Make sure there is no chance that you will receive further injuries. For example, if you suffer a bicycle accident in the road, make sure that you get off the street and find somewhere safe you can be.
However, once that is done, you may want to gather some evidence about what happened. If your injuries do not prohibit it, you may want to try speaking with anyone else involved in the accident.
For example, if someone hit you with a car, you will want to get their name and contact information.
You and other people involved in an accident may have different perceptions about what happened. If possible, it is also valuable to get on the same page with anyone else involved. If you ever need to establish who is responsible for the accident, it can help a lot to have spoken with other people involved and made sure that they agree with you about what really happened in your accident.
Take Pictures or Video
If possible, you will also want to gather evidence about your injuries and any other related damage.
As days go by, your injuries will start to heal and fade. It can be helpful to take photos or even videos of them before this happens. If you ever need to make a case for the nature of your injury, this kind of proof can be invaluable.
It is also a good idea to get pictures or a video of your bicycle and any evidence of the accident. That might include marks left on the road or damage caused to a car that might have hit you.
Get Medical Help After a Bike Accident Call
If your injuries are more serious, you may not be able to do all or even any of the above things. In such cases, your priority should be on receiving medical attention as soon as possible.
Stay still so as to diminish the chance that you might exacerbate your injuries by accident. Call 911 if no one else does and report the accident.
Some people do not call 911 because they are not sure if the situation merits it. However, you can talk that through with whoever answers when you call 911. They will be able to give you some idea about whether or not your situation merits sending out an ambulance or a police car.
Making this call will also help you establish a record of the accident. This may come in handy if you need to later prove your case in court.
For example, many people struggle much less after an accident if they receive some kind of compensation for the damages they receive. If someone else is at fault in your accident, they may not immediately agree to cover your medical costs or take responsibility in other ways.
At that point, it may be necessary to involve the legal system to ensure that justice is done. Having a record of a call to 911 may help prove your case in court later on.
Keep in mind that some people feel fine right after a bicycle accident. However, later in the day or even the next day, you might start to develop symptoms.
If that happens, make sure you receive medical attention. Don’t think that just because you felt fine at the time of the accident you should not bother with seeing a doctor.
Contact Authorities and Consider Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim
Once your immediate health and safety are taken care of, you should prioritize contacting the authorities.
Establishing a police record of the accident is another powerful record that may help you get the help you need later on. When you explain the details of your situation, the authorities may also be able to recommend an appropriate course of action to you.
Consider Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
Depending on your situation, you may need to involve a lawyer. It is possible that other people involved in the accident may try to blame it on you. In other cases, they might deny their responsibility and refuse to help you.
If possible, try to find a lawyer who has dedicated much of their career to helping people who have been in similar bicycle accidents. They will have a clearer idea of how to manage your legal situation so as to maximize your chance of winning your case.
Understand What to Do After Bicycle Accidents
Many people do not know what to do after they have been in a bicycle accident. They may also not know where to get advice about how they should manage their situation. However, many personal injury attorneys have worked with many people who have been through similar situations.
To learn more about how to navigate the complicated aftermath of a bicycle accident, reach out and get in touch with us at any time!
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