A bicycle accident can come out of nowhere. Whether you’re going for a leisurely bike ride, or are using your bicycle to get to work, your ride can take a dangerous turn if you are hit by a vehicle. Due to the size of a car versus your bicycle, you can suffer serious injuries in a bicycle accident.
When this happens, make sure you consult a personal injury lawyer and take the right steps to pursue a lawsuit.
Steps To Take After a Bicycle Accident
When you’re hit by a vehicle while on your bicycle, it’s essential to follow the right process and gather the right information after your bicycle accident so you can file a lawsuit against the liable driver later.
Some steps you should follow after a bicycle accident include:
- Call the police: After any collision, you should always call the local police. The authorities will create an official accident report that you can use with your insurance claim, and any potential lawsuits. Unless you are seriously injured, you should stay at the scene until the officer is done gathering information for his or her report.
- Get the driver’s information: Make sure you get the driver’s information. This can include their name, address, phone number, and email address, in addition to their insurance information and driver’s license number. You should also document the vehicle’s license plate number.
- Be careful what you say to the driver: When exchanging information with the driver, try to limit the amount of conversation so you don’t inadvertently say something that could hinder your lawsuit. This can include saying “I’m fine,” or “It wasn’t your fault.” If you’re unsure what to say to the driver, call your injury attorney before exchanging information to make sure you don’t make a mistake.
- Gather information from witnesses: If there were any witnesses to the accident, make sure you get their names and contact information before leaving the scene. Their testimony can help you with your lawsuit later.
- Write down the details of the accident: Before leaving the scene, make sure you record all details of the accident while it is still fresh in your memory. This should include what happened leading up to the accident, how it occurred, where it was, and any injuries you suffered or any damages to your bike. You should also take photos of the scene and traffic controls in the area. In addition, you should take videos on your phone.
- Seek medical treatment: If your injuries are serious, you should receive medical at the scene of the accident. If you have more minor injuries, you should seek medical treatment after leaving the scene. No matter how minor you think the injury is, you should still be examined by a medical professional. It might be more serious than you think, and it’s essential to have all injuries documented in your medical records.
- Keep all evidence: It’s essential to not get rid of any evidence from the accident. This can include keeping all damaged parts of your bike, and not repairing any damage to it. You should also avoid washing or throwing away any clothing you wore at the time of the accident. This can all provide evidence you might need during your lawsuit.
- Don’t call your insurance company: Before calling your insurance company and filing a claim, you should first call your injury lawyer. He or she will advise you on what to say and help you avoid settling for a lesser amount than what you are owed.
We Can Help
If you’re injured in a bicycle accident, you need help from top-rated, hard-working representation. At Shapiro|Delgado, our attorneys put their injury law experience to work for you. And we handle cases on a contingency basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you do.
We represent clients throughout Florida, including Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa, Saint Petersburg, Pinellas County, and surrounding communities.
To set up a free personal consultation, call 941-954-4000 or use our convenient online contact form.
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