It is important to know what to do after a bicycle accident to ensure your legal rights are not violated. Very often, what bicycle accident victims say or do in the aftermath of the accident can make or break their claims. The experienced bicycle accident attorneys of The Bernard Law Group have decades of experience in protecting the rights of Washington bicycle riders.
Call the Police
The driver involved may want to handle the accident personally, but it is in your best interest to file a police report. An official report will help corroborate your story and will serve as a comprehensive incident record. Even if you aren’t sure if you are injured it is worth taking this step to protect yourself. If the police only speak with the driver, make it a point to tell your side of the events so that your statements are in the report.
Exchange Information – driver / witnesses
Drivers who cause an accident may be nervous or in a hurry, and that makes them unpredictable. You will want to exchange information right away. You will want their driver’s license number, contact info and insurance information. If you run into trouble with an insurance company and need to file a claim, eyewitnesses can be invaluable. If there are any witnesses, try to get their contact information as well.
Take notes – written or mental
How well you recall every detail can make your side of the accident clear. Remembering when and how the accident happened is important. Can you recall what direction you and the driver were going? Notice skid marks and debris around the scene. If you have a camera or a camera phone take photos. You never know what piece of evidence will be useful to you in the future.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you aren’t sure how injured you are, make sure you see a doctor. Remember that some injuries take time to manifest. A little soreness may be evidence of a developing injury that will get worse if not treated. It would be in the victim’s best interest to seek medical attention right away to confirm that no injuries have been sustained.
Let Each Insurance Company Know About The Crash
Do not rely on the car driver to report the crash. You will want to notify your insurance company and the insurance company of the car driver. Write down the claim number they give you. Be very careful about how you speak with the insurance companies involved. You will want to limit what you say and make sure you do not admit fault for the crash in any way. Having a personal injury lawyer deal with the insurance companies for you can be a great help.
Retain an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney
When there is an injury after a bicycle crash there will be conflicting opinions and complicated paperwork to file. It would be in your best interests to have a personal injury attorney on your side making sure that your rights are being protected. The Bernard Law Group serves all of Washington and has a 98 percent success rate. Call us today for a free evaluation of your bicycle accident claim.
IF YOU, OR A LOVED ONE, HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WASHINGTON – CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION!
