How to File a Claim for a Bicycle Accident

After suffering devastating injuries caused by a vehicle that hit you while riding your bike, you may struggle to cope with the aftermath. You are having trouble covering the excessive financial losses, and your injuries’ emotional trauma and physical limitations could turn your life upside down. The liable party should pay.

An Atlanta personal injury lawyer can take action against them in several ways and recover the financial compensation you are due. With help from a reputable bicycle accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates, you can file your insurance, settle plans, and get through these difficult times. Here is more about what to expect when you pursue a bicycle accident claim and how to file your case against the at-fault party.

Steps to Take When Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim

After being involved in a bicycle wreck, filing a claim is crucial if you hope to recover the compensation you are owed. Although you may not be considering filing a lawsuit, holding the liable party accountable is essential if you avoid being responsible for the costs of your injuries.

Call the Police at the Accident Scene

At the scene of the accident, make sure you call the police. Even if the driver that hit you attempts to convince you they will cover your expenses, getting law enforcement officials at the scene is essential.

When police arrive, they will begin collecting evidence, speaking with witnesses, and filing a crash report. This crash report will include valuable evidence that could be used to prove the liable parties’ negligence and fault for your damages.

If you do not connect with the police, you may face legal penalties. It is illegal to fail to report a car accident if someone is injured or killed or if there is a certain amount of property damage. Typically, it is best to simply call the police following a bicycle accident because you may not yet be aware of the severity of your injuries. 

Collect Evidence to Prove Liability and Negligence 

While waiting for emergency responders and law enforcement officials to arrive at the accident scene, now is the time to collect as much evidence as possible. Your injuries may prevent you from moving or collecting evidence.

If this is the case, do not worry—your bicycle accident lawyer can gather the evidence needed to win against the insurance company or at trial. However, if you can collect evidence, you should do so. Some examples of evidence that could be most valuable in your bicycle accident case include:

• Photos of your injuries
• Photos of damage to your bike
• Photos of damage to surrounding property
• Video footage of the accident scene
• The names and contact information of bystanders and witnesses
• The license plate number, insurance information, and contact information of the driver that hit you
• The names of any businesses or addresses that have surveillance cameras and could have caught the accident on video
• A brief but thorough description of how the bicycle accident occurred

Get Medical Help

Although your injuries may not initially seem catastrophic, remember that you have been struck by a massive motor vehicle. Even if you do not feel the extent of your injuries, it is possible that you are suffering far more severe injuries than you expected.

This could be because adrenaline is running through your body. Once you relax and settle down, your body may finally feel the severity of your injuries. For this reason, it is crucial to get medical attention immediately after a bicycle accident. Your medical records and physician testimony will be valuable in your case against the liable party.

If you do not get medical help, you risk being accused of filing a frivolous lawsuit, exaggerating the impact of your injuries, or artificially inflating the value of your damages.

Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer 

Once a healthcare provider has cleared you, if you have not yet called a bicycle accident attorney for help, now is the time to do so. Your personal injury lawyer will handle every little detail of your case, open up an in-depth investigation into the cause of your bike wreck, and start building a powerful claim against those responsible immediately after the collision. This way, you can get the financial relief you deserve sooner.

Determine the Value of Your Bicycle Accident Case

Before filing your bicycle accident lawsuit, we must determine how much your claim is worth. You can expect your attorney to review the various ways your life has been affected by your bicycle accident injuries so we can accurately calculate the value of your claim. You will be entitled to economic and non-economic damages to ensure you are fully repaid for your suffering.

File a Claim with the Insurance Company 

Once your bicycle accident lawyer knows who is at fault for the accident, we can move forward with insurance claims. This is only true if a liable party has insurance coverage. Since Georgia law requires all motorists to carry bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage, they should be insured.

You can get a portion of your medical bills through the insurance company, and property damage is covered. In some cases, Liable parties only have the minimum auto insurance coverage required by law. 

When this happens, you may find the insurance company does not fully cover your losses. This means you may need to proceed with a civil claim. However, if the liable party does not have insurance coverage, your attorney must proceed with a bicycle accident lawsuit. 

Speak with a Bicycle Accident Lawyer at John Foy & Associates Today

Whether you file a claim with the insurance company or pursue a bicycle accident lawsuit, you can recover your damages in full with a reputable bicycle accident attorney. 

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today with our team at John Foy & Associates to learn more about your next steps and how much your claim could be worth. You can get started when you fill out our online contact form or call our office to regain control of your life.