A bicycle accident can be a harrowing experience. If you or a loved one have been involved in a bicycle accident, it is important to know what to do to protect your rights. Here are four steps to take after a bicycle accident:
Step 1: Seek medical attention immediately
Your health and wellbeing should be your top priority after a bike accident. Even if you don’t feel seriously injured, you should strongly consider seeking seeing a doctor anyway. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, may not present right away. Additionally, if you wait too long to seek medical treatment, the insurance company may try to use that against you when it comes time to file a claim.
Step 2: Gather evidence and document everything related to the accident
If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident and get the contact information of any witnesses who may have seen what happened. It’s also important to keep track of all medical appointments and any other expenses related to the accident. This documentation will be essential when it comes time to file a claim with the insurance company.
Step 3: Keep detailed records of your injuries and recovery process
It’s important to keep track of all physical, emotional, and financial impacts of the accident. This includes documenting things like missed work days, doctor’s appointments, and hospitalizations. This will not only be helpful for your attorney, but also for the insurance company when they are evaluating your claim and what it’s worth.
Step 4: Contact a qualified bicycle accident attorney
After taking care of your immediate health and safety needs and gathering evidence, the next step is to consult with an experienced Gulfport personal injury attorney who can help you come up with a plan.
How a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, you may be wondering if you need to hire a lawyer. The answer, in short, is yes. An experienced Gulfport bicycle accident lawyer will fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve. Here’s a closer look at how a bicycle accident lawyer can help you.
Investigate the Accident
When you’re injured in a bicycle accident, the last thing you want to do is try to investigate the accident yourself. While you may have been able to get pictures of your injuries or some contact information for witnesses, there is other important evidence that can help your claim. This is where an experienced bicycle accident lawyer can be invaluable. Your lawyer will have the resources and knowledge necessary to investigate the accident and collect evidence that will help your case, such as video footage and police reports. They will also interview witnesses.
Handle the Insurance Company
After a bicycle accident, you’ll likely need to deal with insurance companies—and they’re not always easy to deal with. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize the amount of money paid out on claims by placing blame on you, making unreasonably low offers, or denying your claim outright. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will know how to deal with insurance companies and fight to get you the compensation you’re entitled to.
File a Lawsuit (If Necessary)
In some cases, an insurance company may refuse to offer a fair settlement. If this happens, your only recourse may be to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. This is something you should never have to do on your own—an experienced bicycle accident lawyer will handle every aspect of your case, from filing the paperwork to representing you in court.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, don’t try to handle things on your own; hire an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.