Bicycles are crashing all across America. Nearly 1,000 bicyclists die in crashes every year, and more than 130,000 others sustain serious injuries.
A bicycle accident can occur any time you head out on the road. Yet you’re by no means helpless during and after a crash. You just need to answer a few questions on how to respond to a collision.
Who should you call once a collision occurs? How can you prove your compensation claim? Who do you need to hire in order to get compensation?
Get the facts and you can take control of your life right after an accident. Here is your quick guide.
Get a Medical Evaluation
A bicycle accident may seem like a minor event. But falling on your hand can cause you to break a bone, sprain your muscles, or tear soft tissues in your forearm. Hitting your head on the ground can lead to a concussion, even if you were wearing a helmet.
As soon as the bike crash occurs, you need to call 911 and request an ambulance. Do not move unless you are in danger, as moving can make your injuries worse.
Even if you do not think you are hurt, you need to get an evaluation from a paramedic or a personal doctor. A serious injury like a sheared blood vessel may not be immediately apparent.
Gather Evidence of the Bicycle Accident
Keep all of the documents related to your medical evaluation. In particular, try to find documents with prices on them, like medical bills and receipts from pharmacies. These documents can help you determine a dollar figure for your damages.
You should also keep the information about your injuries. This can include a journal where you document your recovery and any psychological injuries you have. You can claim damages if you develop PTSD or another psychiatric condition.
If you needed repairs for your bike or another piece of property, keep the receipts for them. You can also use your credit card statement or bank statement to show how much you paid. If you missed work, you can use pay stubs to show how much work you missed and how much money you lost.
Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Do not talk to the police, your insurance company, or anyone else involved in your bike accident. You risk saying something that can weaken your case or lead to your insurance claim being denied.
Once you’ve started recovering from the accident, you should find a bicycle accident attorney. The attorney you hire should be based near you and have experience with cases similar to yours. You can read customer reviews to see what cases your attorney has dealt with and ask them questions about their experience.
Regain Control After a Bicycle Accident
You need to get into motion once you experience a bicycle accident. Get help from a paramedic and your personal doctor and document all of your injuries. Keep the paperwork about your physical and mental condition as well as your lost property and money.
Hire an attorney who can negotiate with your insurance company and develop a civil case against the other parties. Research lawyers in your geographic area before you hire a professional.
You can start your search for great attorneys now. Virginia Injury Law serves Virginia bicyclists and their families. Contact us today.
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