Within moments, a bicycle accident can turn your life upside down. A crash can leave you with painful injuries, costly bills, and much more. However, you might be entitled to compensation for your damages. To seek the fullest recovery possible, you’ll need to protect your legal rights.
You might not even know where to start. Most injured cyclists have never had to deal with an injury claim before. Thankfully, we’ve covered the essential steps you can take below.
The best way to protect your rights is by talking to a lawyer. A bicycle accident lawyer can guide you through the best steps based on your situation. To speak with an experienced lawyer for FREE, call John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
What Steps Will Protect Your Rights Following a Bike Accident?
There are many ways someone could take advantage of you after an accident. The following steps are essential to protecting your rights after a bike crash. If you can, perform these steps immediately afterward.
Get the strong arm
Report the Bicycle Accident
In Georgia, you must report any accident with injuries, death, or at least $500 in property damage (Georgia Code Section 40-6-273). Even if you think you have no injuries, it’s best to report the accident. Many injured cyclists think they’re okay, but they realize later that they have expensive injuries.
Call 911 to report the accident to the police. Responding officers will create a crash report, which helps protect your rights. The crash report will contain vital facts about the accident to help prove your case.
Be Careful What You Say to the Driver
Most of the time, a driver is at fault for a bicycle accident. If that applies to your case, be careful when talking to the driver.
Anything you say after an accident could be used against you later. Avoid apologizing or admitting any blame. Also, do not discuss the details of the crash with the driver.
If the driver says something about their fault in the accident, write down the statement. However, avoid talking about specifics until you have a lawyer.
Take Pictures of Your Injuries and Damages
If you have visible injuries or bike damage, take pictures — photograph even the smallest of damages. Picture evidence right after the crash can be helpful to your case.
Document the Accident Scene
Do everything you can to preserve the accident scene. Take pictures of the entire scene from different angles. Note the time, location, and weather conditions.
If you notice any traffic cameras, take pictures of them. Make a written or mental note to tell your lawyer about them later. You might be able to get video footage of the accident.
Look for any eyewitnesses to the accident. Ask them what they saw, and get their contact information. Police officers might not get this information, but you will need it later.
Save All Evidence from the Crash
Don’t change the state of anything from the accident. For example, avoid taking your bike for fixing until you’ve spoken to a lawyer. You’ll need to save all evidence that the accident occurred.
Save the clothes you were wearing during the accident. Do not fix or clean them. If you don’t have solid proof of your damages, the insurance company will doubt what happened.
Get Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
If you have life-threatening injuries, request an ambulance at the scene. Otherwise, see a doctor as soon as possible. If you wait too long, it will hurt your compensation.
Insurance companies will look for any way to reduce your settlement. If you do not see a doctor immediately, the insurer will claim you are not hurt that badly. They’ll question why you waited so long if your injuries are severe.
See a doctor as soon as you can, and save all medical records.
Get a Copy of the Accident Report
At the scene, ask the police how you can get a copy of the crash report. Your lawyer can help you do this, as well. You’ll need a copy of the report for your records.
Get an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bicycle accident cases are often complicated. Plus, they involve a lot of stress that most people don’t know how to handle. Thankfully, bicycle accident lawyers exist for these reasons.
Contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in your area. Most injury lawyers (like John Foy & Associates) offer a free consultation. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your case options.
To get started with John Foy & Associates for FREE, call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online. We will not collect a fee unless we win you compensation.
Only Talk to Your Lawyer About the Collision
Be very careful to avoid talking about your accident (publicly or privately). Don’t post about the crash on social media sites, even if the details are vague. Your lawyer should be your only confidant during your legal case.
If the insurance company contacts you, do not discuss the accident details. The insurance adjuster will be looking for statements they can use against you. Protect your rights by keeping the case private until it’s over.
Talk to a Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping injured cyclists for 20-plus years. Our lawyers are not afraid to stand up for your rights. We know what it takes to build a strong bike accident case.
Working with us is risk-free for you. We do not charge a fee unless we win your case. You don’t have to worry about upfront or out-of-pocket costs.
To schedule your FREE consultation, call us at (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
