What Should I do After a Cycling Accident?

Cyclists have every right to be treated with respect and given as much attention on the roadways as larger vehicles. Still, many bike accidents happen every year in Los Angeles County and throughout California. The aftermath of a bicycle accident can be a painful and confusing time. It can be difficult to know what to do or who to talk to after a crash, especially if you suffered injuries as a result. The experienced Los Angeles bike accident lawyers at the GP Law Group understand how difficult this time can be for accident victims, and we are here to help. To learn more about your legal options following a bike accident in Los Angeles, call or contact the office to schedule a free consultation.

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

The most important thing that you can do after a bicycle accident is to seek immediate medical treatment from a healthcare professional. This is important for two reasons: First, it allows a doctor to perform a comprehensive exam of your injuries and begin treatment as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as internal bleeding, are not always visible right after a crash but still require immediate medical care.

Second, seeking treatment right after a bicycle accident creates contemporaneous documentation about the extent of your injuries in the immediate aftermath of the accident. These medical records could be vital evidence in any future personal injury case. This documentation also prevents the insurance companies from claiming later on that the extent of your injuries was less than what you stated in their attempt to mitigate the compensation owed to you after an accident. Given how serious bicycle accident injuries can be for a victim, it is critical that you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Gather Evidence From the Scene 

If possible, collect evidence from the scene of the crash. You or a loved one should take photos or videos of the scene where the bicycle accident took place. Document all property damage and any details that might help illustrate what happened in your case. If there were eyewitnesses to the accident, get their contact information as their statements will be critical, and might be the difference between winning or losing the case. All of these details could end up being critical evidence in your case. 

Keep a Record of Your Injuries and Recovery

After the accident, you should keep a detailed record of your injuries and your road to recovery. Keeping a daily journal is a great way to record your progress and setbacks you experience during this process. You should document with photos and videos all of your injuries immediately after the accident as well as during the recovery process as proof of what the process has been like for you as the accident victim. This information helps calculate the total amount of damages owed to you by those responsible for the crash.

Do Not Speak With the Insurance Companies 

It is important that you not speak with insurance adjusters (even your own insurance company) after a crash without your Los Angeles bike accident lawyer present. Oftentimes, insurers will request a statement from you about the accident within hours or days of the crash. Many accident victims do not realize that insurance companies do not have their best interests at heart after an accident. The insurance adjuster’s job is to settle your claims as quickly as possible for as little as possible. He or she is hoping that if you make a statement on your own, you will say something against your own interests that the company can use to offer you less than your claim is worth.

In many cases, the insurer may offer the victim of a bicycle accident a settlement immediately after the crash that looks promising on its face, but is worth far less than what the victim actually deserves. For all these reasons, you need to speak with an experienced Los Angeles bike accident lawyer before making any statements to insurance companies, including your own insurance company.

Get Help After a Bike Accident in Los Angeles

Hiring an experienced and aggressive California bicycle accident attorney is your best chance of success after a crash. Insurance companies are required to send all communication, settlement offers, and negotiations through your attorney. Your lawyer understands what your case is truly worth and will not settle for less. If necessary, your lawyer can take the insurance companies to court to get you what you are owed for your injuries. You no longer have to worry about the legal case and can instead focus on what is most important — your recovery. 

Call or Contact Our Office Now 

To learn more about what to do after a cycling accident, call or contact the experienced California cycling accident attorneys at the GP Law Group in Los Angeles today.