Ciao SaddleDrunkers,
I hope you all well & enjoyed the nice summer. I was able to catch up with a long distance friend and volunteered to give us some tips about bicycle accidents. As stated his far away & if you find yourself stuck in California feel free to contact him.
Crucial Steps to Take if You are Involved in a Bicycle Accident
Bicycle accidents can often involve a tragic death. With little protection against a speeding car, the bicyclist typically stands little chance of walking away without an injury. While a personal injury lawyer can defend you in the event of a bicycle accident, there are a few steps that you can take that can strengthen your case during a trial for personal injury. This article will discuss some of those steps.
1. Stay At The Scene
Immediately following an accident, you should stay at the scene. Unless you require immediate medical care at the hospital, you should stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive and document the crime. If you leave, you could be found guilty of a hit and run. This is true even if you're riding a bicycle. If your life is not in danger, then you should remain at the scene until the police arrive.
2. Inspect Injuries
While you're waiting for the police to arrive, it's a good idea to check yourself for injuries. A bicycle accident lawyer will suggest documenting any and all injuries that you have been rendered due to the accident. You should also seek treatment until medical services arrive. If you have a first aid kit with you on your bike, then bandage what you can and try not to put too much weight on limbs that are broken or sprained. You can accept help from others who have stopped to assist you. If you are unable to administer first aid to yourself, then call for help.
3. Call The Police
Once your injuries have been temporarily taken care of, you need to call the police. West Coast Trial Lawyers will use the evidence and statements that the police acquire during their investigation to defend you or prosecute on your behalf. The police will thoroughly examine the accident in order to discover who was at fault. Since bicyclists usually have the right of way, the law sides with them. However, this isn't always the case. There may be bike laws that you weren't aware of that could put you at fault. Having an experienced bicycle accident lawyer on hand can help you understand what your rights are and how to defend you.
4. Exchange Information With The Other Party
Although you may not particularly want their information, you're going to need their contact information in order to get in touch with their insurance company. It can be easy to feel hostile towards the other party. Try to push those feelings to the side, so you can benefit from the moment. If the other party is hostile towards you, however, it's a good idea to have the police acquire the information for you. Don't leave the scene without that information. Otherwise, it can be difficult trying to acquire that information later.
You may also feel that the exchange is unnecessary if you don't have bike insurance. Not many people do. Car insurance companies typically won't cover a bicycle either. Your personal injury lawyer can help you find out if any of your insurance policies will cover the bike accident. Sometimes your house insurance or even your rental insurance can cover bike accidents.
Finally, it's important to exchange your information even if you don't feel as though you've been severely injured. Sometimes injuries take time to manifest themselves. You're also typically in a state of shock following an accident. Shock can cover up any immediate pain or sore muscles or other injuries that you may have until it wears off. For your protection, never leave the scene without acquiring information.
5. Document The Scene
While the police will likely take pictures or record evidence of the accident, you can provide your own pictures as well. Take out your smartphone and take pictures of the accident. These pictures should include the bike, the vehicles involved in the accident, as well as the scene. You should be able to show the court an in-depth look into the area. This can help the court decide who was at fault. Sometimes the scene itself can show that the area has a blind spot for cars. They can't see oncoming bikes due to a hill. This could end up being a problem that the state has to deal with.
West Coast Trial lawyers also suggest taking pictures of your injuries. This is actual evidence of the harm that was done to you due to the accident. It's also documented evidence that the insurance company cannot refute.
If possible, you should also record the events after the accident. This can capture any hostile treatment that you receive from the party. If there are witnesses, then take both photos of them and video documentation of what they have to say about what they saw. This is all evidence that a bicycle accident lawyer Los Angeles can use to defend you.
6. Receive Medical Care
If your injuries are serious, then you should be taken to the hospital immediately. If your injuries aren't as serious, then you should still receive medical care after the police have opened the scene back up to the public. This an important part of your defense. Insurance companies may be less prone to pay out if you do not receive medical care. They might argue that the damage you received from the accident wasn't serious enough to warrant a lot of financial reimbursement.
A bicycle accident lawyer will tell you to have all medical procedures documented. Your doctor should be willing to testify on your behalf if needed. They should be able to produce medical scans and documents that indicate the depth of your injuries.
Post-care should also be documented. For example, if your doctor prescribes physical rehabilitation or therapy, then make sure that it is noted. You should document how much the physical therapy costs and how often you have to go to the sessions in order to recover.
Have a good day all & Stay Safe on the road.
SD TEAM.