What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

When riding a bicycle, safety is paramount. However, no matter how safety-conscious you are as a bicyclist, the odds are always against you. Motor vehicles outnumber bicyclists in Charlotte and across the country. As drivers become more distracted, they are more likely to collide with Innocent bicyclists and cause serious injuries. Knowing what to do after a bicycle accident and how well you protect your right to compensation through an insurance settlement or personal injury accident can make a difference. The following checklist can help you preserve substantial evidence and protect your claim for compensation after a bicycle accident.

The first thing you should do is call 911. If you suspect that you or anyone else has been injured, request an ambulance. It would help if you also asked a police officer. Consider calling a friend or relative who can arrive at the scene of the accident and help you take photos of the situation. Making phone calls can prove that you were injured and requested medical assistance. Remember that you may not feel the full extent of your injuries immediately, so do not pretend or assume that you are not injured when talking to the police or paramedics. Allow yourself to be transported and treated for your injuries.

Obtaining medical attention as soon as possible can help you recover. It can also help you protect your claim for compensation. If you delay medical treatment, the insurance company or defendant may try to claim that the bicycle accident did not cause your injuries or that your injuries are not severe. Common medical treatments include orthopedic care, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. Make sure you follow your doctor's orders, attend your appointments, and participate in any rehabilitation you need, such as physical or occupational therapy. Doing so will help you develop a paper trail showing that the accident injured you.

If you can do so safely, try to take photos of the accident scene. Images should include damage to your bicycle, the car, and injuries. Take pictures of the lighting, road conditions, streets, debris in the road, or any other conditions that may have contributed to the accident. The more pictures you take, the better.

You should also collect the contact information and names of all of the witnesses to the accident. Refrain from assuming that they will be included in the police report. Get their contact information so your attorney can reach out to them after the accident. Witness statements can be essential as you try to prove liability.

Similarly, you should get all the contact information possible from the driver, including the model, make, color, license plate number of the driver's vehicle, and insurance information. If you have been involved in an accident without a driver or with a hit-and-run driver, collect as much information as you can about the circumstances of the accident.

It can be tempting to update friends and family on social media about the accident but resist the urge to do so. Insurance adjusters and defendants may try to find your social media feeds in an attempt to prove that you were not seriously injured or that you were at fault. If you make a statement that you are feeling a little better, they could use this against you to claim that you were not injured and should not recover compensation.

After the accident, the insurance company may offer you a quick settlement agreement. First-time settlement agreements are generally too low, and you should discuss them with your attorney before accepting a settlement. Your attorney to negotiate a better settlement agreement.

After experiencing a traumatic event, leaving the scene may be your first impulse. Getting out of danger and going home can be tempting. However, you should only leave the accident scene once a police officer says you're free to go. It is essential that the officer recovers all of the information necessary to write a report. It can also help your claim.

After an accident, you may be confused about what happened and unintentionally admit fault. Only provide a recorded statement once you have discussed it with your attorney, who can help you protect your rights well.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, you need an experienced attorney. Contact the aggressive attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about your rights.