schiffrinpa

When you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you are entitled to be compensated for your injuries and any form of damage. Medical bills and insurance claims might just not be the first things to cross your mind, right after being injured in such an accident. However, you need to hold your calm and think rationally!

Here are some basic steps you should take after you have been in a bicycle accident:

Try not to make any statements except to the police
Before making a statement in front of anyone, you must keep in mind that any statements that you make to the driver can be used against you in your case.Avoid making random statements that involve expressing apologies, taking blame for the crash, or suggesting that your injuries are just minor.

In case you apologize, the driver might just use those statements to prove you were fully responsible for the crash. Thus, he can very well avoid paying for your injuries or damaged property. In case you insist that you’re not that badly hurt, it can be used by the insurance company to claim that injuries you get treated for, are actually fake!
You should simplycall the police after the crash. Give the actual story to the police only. You might need to give them your ID, insurance, and contact information. Nevertheless, you must give them your account of the crash. This way your personal account of the crash can make its way to the official traffic collision report.

Get your account of the accident in the official collision report
The traffic collision report is a vital police document. You need to keep in mind that this report must not only includethe driver’s side of the story. Else, you might just end up losing badly! In such a case, the driver may even make up new facts of the incident to make himself look innocent! He might even end up putting the blame on you and he might just be too convincing!

At the time of giving your report to the police, you must ask how you can obtain a copy of the traffic collision report for your records. Get a copy of the final version. This way you can make sure the story told in the official report is just exact and to-the-point. This is one of the most significant steps to take after a bicycle accident.

Collect contact information of the drivers involved
Try your best to get the driver’s contact information. Keep in mind that some drivers will lie and give a fake phone number. But, you must still try for future reference. You must make sure you get their license plate number.

You can talk to any witnesses who saw the crash and can give you their version of the story. Most of the witnesses are likely to put forward an honest account of the crash. This can actually help you make a case for any claims you make. You can even get their contact information and address. After all, you might have to talk to them again later.

Gather as many relevant pieces of evidence as possible
Keep in mind that memories can fade away with time. So, you must write down a detailed account of the accident. Maintain the exact sequence of the happenings. Try to be as accurate as possible. Collect evidence at the scene. You can take photos of the crash site, your bike, your helmet and other gear, the driver’s car, the driver’s license plate, the weather conditions, the road conditions, any road signs, etc. The info should be relevant to your case. This is all that matters!

Collect as much evidence as possible. Even a small piece of evidence can help you and your lawyer to come up with a winning strategy. Try to keep all of your clothes and gear in the condition they are in. This pretty much includes your bike. Try not to get it repaired. Make sure to keep all evidence in its current state. Get coverage for all of your damages.

Call an attorney for a free consultation
Prior to talking to any insurance company investigator or representative, take the opportunity to talk to an attorney who specializes in bicycle law.Insurance investigators and representatives are seeking ways to not pay your claim. Keep in mind that the insurance industry is for-profit. Thus, they will try their best to not pay out any money. They might just twist your own words against you to break your chances of winning! So, take guidance of an experienced lawyer before speaking to an insurance company representative.

A professional and reputable attorney will sit down with you for a free consultation. He will readily listen to your account of the bicycle accident. Thus, you can ask him further whether you are on the right track. Never skip consulting a bicycle accident attorney before filing a claim.

Take note of your injuries
You must seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Do the same even when you consider your injuries to be minor. You can have several photos taken of your injuries as soon as possible after the accident.

Most of the bicycle accident cases’ results do not comprise of a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. This is mainly because every case is different. Thus, the results and verdicts are different too.

Right after the bicycle accident, wait for the Florida Police to arrive. Wait for the police to take and file a police report. Just do not declare that you are not injured, even if you feel like you are perfectly all right.There are high chances that your pain and injury gets more conspicuous at a later stage. Even minor injuries can develop into serious problems. Never leave the accident scene, unless the entire scene has been well investigated.

If the police do not include your statement in the accident report, you can have the report amended at a later stage.