Being hit by a car while riding a bicycle can be deadly. If you were lucky enough to survive such an event, there are some specific things you should do to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. The following are some steps you should take.
Collect Evidence
There are a lot of different types of evidence you could collect to help your claim. First, one of most important pieces of evidence is the police report. Do not neglect calling authorities. It’s illegal to do so in most states, and the police report will generally hold up well in court.
Second, collect contact information, insurance information and vehicle information from the at-fault driver. It’s possible he or she will give you false information, which is another reason you should have a police officer on the scene with an official report.
Third, you should collect contact information from any witnesses who stayed at the scene of the bicycle crash. It’s not absolutely necessary to have witnesses in order for you to prove the collision wasn’t your fault, but they definitely help. If most of the witnesses corroborate your story, it could be more likely a judge and insurance adjuster will believe it.
Finally, take pictures of the scene, the surrounding area, your bicycle, your injuries, the other car and anything else that could help to prove fault with the other driver. If you are unable to collect any evidence on your own because of injuries, be sure to have someone do it for you.
Get Medical Assistance
If you’re injured, don’t deny yourself medical assistance. Even if you feel your injuries are not serious enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room, it might be a good idea to get a checkup anyway. Some injuries seem mild at first, but present more serious threats at a later time. If your injuries are not found early, and you settle the case without knowledge of them, you may not be entitled to receive compensation for them.
Be Careful What You Say
Whether you’re still at the scene or are speaking with your insurance provider at a later date, be careful what you say. Even a simple, “I should have been more careful,” could make it appear as though you blame yourself. You’d basically be accepting fault, and you should never do that.
Contact an Attorney
Being in a bicycle/car crash is a serious matter. After your accident, collect evidence, receive medical care and watch what you say so you can receive the compensation you deserve. Contact a bicycle accident lawyer in Trenton, NJ today for more information or to schedule a meeting.
Thanks to Davis & Brusca for their insight into personal injury claims and what to do after a bike accident.