It is a beautiful sunny day and you want to take advantage of it. You’re out for a nice and relaxing bicycle ride around the neighborhood. You are riding down the road, wind in your hair and not a care in the world. Then BAM, all of a sudden you find yourself flying off your bike onto the ground or the hood of a car. You look down to see blood on your knees and the twisted mass of metal that was once your bike. Your peaceful day has turned into a nightmare. Do you know a bicycle accident attorney?
Even though riding a bike can be a fun and easy way to get around, it does come with its challenges. No matter how safe you are, bike accidents can still happen.
After a bicycle accident, you might find yourself with injuries and you don’t know what to do. You might be asking yourself, “What do I do now?” “Where do I find a bicycle accident attorney?”
The minutes after a bicycle accident can be confusing.
However, you have to remain rational and calm. There are some steps you can take to help.
Here are a few things you need to do after your bicycle accident:
Like with any other accident, you need for the police to show up and take a report. Just like with a car accident, it is the law to stay at the scene of an accident until the police arrive.
It is important to make sure any injuries and damages are documented, and the way to do this is with a police report.
Make sure your side of the story is included in the police report, and remember, you have the same rights and responsibilities as the driver of a car.
Exchange Information
Make sure you get the drivers name, address, and phone number. You will also need to make sure you get their driver’s license number, license plate number, and make and model of the car. Even though you may not feel like you have injuries, get the driver’s insurance information.
You may find out later that you had injuries you didn’t know about. If there are witnesses to the accident, make sure you get their contact information. A lost witness can make mess out of things and cause a he said, she said situation.
Document What Happened
Make sure you take the time to write down everything you remember as soon as possible. It is important to remember the facts while they are still fresh in your mind.
This includes drawing maps or diagrams. In these maps and diagrams, make sure you include the directions each of you were traveling, stop signs, street lights and streetlights.
If you have injuries, make sure you document those as well and seek medical attention if necessary. Make sure to take pictures with your cell phone. Those pictures will be valuable down the road. The more information you can document, the better.
Call a Bicycle Accident Attorney
You never know what will happen in the future. An injury could develop days or weeks after a bicycle accident. Don’t negotiate with the other driver no matter who is at fault. Leave that to the lawyers. Before you speak with either insurance company, it is best to speak with a bicycle accident attorney who specializes in this type of road accident.
They will be able to let you know what your rights are as far as compensation is concerned and guide you through the process. The time after a bicycle accident can be scary. Make sure you have someone on your side you can rely on.
Whether it is a major accident, or the driver of a car lightly knocks you down, injuries can happen. Even if you feel fine, you never know how you are going to feel tomorrow.
You and your bike might have more damage than you realized. Even if it seems like no big deal, contact a lawyer. Taking precautions to make sure you are covered for any lasting injury will give you peace of mind. Don’t take any chances. Protect yourself. Let the professionals handle it for you.
Final Words
Bicyclists often face dangers while riding on bike paths and city streets. A reliable bicycle accident attorney can hold a negligent driver accountable for injuries suffered by bicyclists.
