Biking can be a great way to stay in shape, save money, and get around a city conveniently. Unfortunately, many cyclists are injuredeach year in accidents that should never have happened. Many of these accidents are caused by the negligence of motorists who were distracted or breaking traffic laws when the crash occurred.
As John Demas, a bicycle accident lawyer in Sacramento, CA explains, injuries caused by biking accidents can include traumatic brain injuries, back and spinal cord issues, and broken bones. These injuries can cause tremendous financial and other losses, and if the cyclist was not at fault, he or she most likely deserves compensation to help with medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses caused by the accident.
As a cyclist, you do your best to obey the rules of the road and avoid crashes, but you should understand the steps you should take in the event that you end up in an accident.
So, what are the steps you should take if you wind up in a bicycle accident?
Check for injuries.
The first thing you need to do is check for any serious injures on yourself. If you seem fine, check on the passengers in the vehicle, as well as anyone else who could have been hurt.
Get to a safe spot.
If the crash landed you in the road, get up and into a safe spot as soon as you can. Try to remove your bike from the road as well if you can. You don’t want to cause another accident when an unaware motorist hits your bike.
Call law enforcement.
Call the police as soon as you can by dialing 9-1-1. Explain the situation, including any injuries you may have. Let them know if there is debris in the road as well.
Collect evidence from the scene.
You need as much evidence from the scene as you can get in order to file a successful insurance or personal injury claim. As Athens AL personal injury lawyer Harvey Morris explains, collecting evidence after being injured is important, since you will have to prove the other party was negligent in order to win your insurance claim or personal injury case. So, take photos of the scene and record any eyewitness accounts of the accident if you can.
Call your insurance company.
If you have insurance, call your insurance company right away to let them know about the accident. Encourage the driver of the vehicle to do the same. The sooner you report a claim, the better.
Get legal advice.
If you’re dealing with medical bills, loss of wages, and other losses due to your bicycle accident, and you’ve not received the compensation you need to get back on your feet, you need to seek some legal help. Don’t be hesitant to get the help you need.As Howard Spiva, a personal injury attorney in Savannah, GA explains, personal injury lawyers are trained to help you get the compensation you needand getting a good lawyer can take a lot of the stress of the situation from your shoulders.
