You should always get medical attention after any bicycle accident, even if your injuries aren’t immediately apparent. Some medical conditions aren’t clear until several hours or days after the accident, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Seeking prompt medical care is essential to your health and your claim for compensation from the driver who caused the crash.
Identify Your Injuries
If you can, the first thing to do after an accident is assess your injuries. It can be as simple as ensuring all of your limbs move freely and you feel no pain, or it may involve a more thorough examination, including internal bleeding, head trauma, and concussions.
After a bicycle accident, it’s crucial to seek medical attention for even seemingly minor injuries, as shock and adrenaline can mask severe damage.
After you have assessed your injuries, try to collect as much evidence as possible. It includes obtaining the driver’s information, a copy of any police reports, and contact information for any witnesses. You should also take photos of your injuries, bike, and the accident scene. A doctor’s opinion about the extent of your injuries will be crucial to your claim for compensation. It will help prove the severity of your injuries and that the crash caused them.
Seek Medical Attention
A bicycle accident can be a life-changing experience. The injuries range from minor cuts to severe head trauma.
When an accident occurs, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately. It is not only a legal requirement but also vital to ensure that the full extent of your injuries is diagnosed and treated correctly.
It is often difficult to know if an injury is serious, especially during the immediate aftermath of a bicycle accident. The body releases hormones like adrenaline, which can mask pain, making it difficult to immediately feel the full effects of a crash. Additionally, soft tissue injuries can take days to present themselves fully. Therefore, visiting your doctor as soon as possible after a bike accident is essential to ensure all of your injuries are identified.
Document Your Injuries
Immediately after a bike accident, it’s essential to document as much evidence as possible. While at the crash scene, exchange contact information with the motorist, including their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance policy number. If there are any witnesses, ask for their names and contact information.
Take clear, high-quality photos of your injuries from different angles and close-ups. Keep a journal of your medical treatments, including a detailed description of your symptoms and how they affect your daily activities.
You can hire the experienced bicycle accident lawyers at Fuicelli & Lee Injury Lawyers to assist you in gathering evidence for your case. They can obtain skid mark measurements, photograph the accident scene, interview additional witnesses, and even draw maps of the area where your accident occurred. Receiving compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and emotional trauma requires proof. Identifying liable parties can also be done with evidence.
Make an Appointment with a Lawyer for Personal Injury
One of the most important steps you can take after a bicycle crash is to seek medical attention. It is vital for your health and your right to compensation from the driver who caused your collision.
Additionally, seeing a doctor immediately after your accident will create contemporaneous documentation that you were injured in the collision. It will prevent the driver’s insurance company from later arguing that your injuries were not as severe as you claimed or could have been caused by another incident.
It is also crucial to collect evidence from the scene of your bike collision, such as the driver’s contact information and insurance information. If possible, photograph your injuries, the crash site, your bicycle, and any damage to your property. If eyewitnesses are present, obtain their statements as well. Additionally, consider hiring a personal injury attorney experienced in handling bicycle accident cases. Suppose you’ve been in a bicycle accident. In that case, an attorney can help you navigate the legal process by negotiating with insurance companies and hiring experts to investigate your case, giving you peace of mind and the best chance of a positive outcome.