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In the shock, pain, and confusion of its aftermath, it can be hard to know what to do after a bicycle accident. Here are some of the first steps you can take to recovering your health and protecting your legal rights:
- Call 911 to get help from the police and the paramedics
- Get the contact information of the driver who hit you
- Follow all of your doctor’s instructions throughout the treatment process
- Keep hold of relevant materials, like medical bills, that can help you establish a legal case later on
- Contact a Rutherfordton bicycle accident lawyer in your area
Start Collecting Evidence Right at the Scene of the Accident
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court based on your personal injury attorney’s negotiations with the liable party’s insurance company. Our legal team can build an evidence collection that includes:
- Injury photos
- Police report
- Proof of income
- Medical records
- Accident photos
- Accident reconstruction
- Witness statements
- Expert testimonials
- First responder reports
We can also organize your evidence and submit it with a settlement demand letter. Our accident attorneys can represent you at the negotiation table and fight for the right financial recovery for you and your family.
How You Can Collect Evidence After a Bicycle Crash
Before you leave the scene, document it as well as you can by:
- Taking photos of your injuries, the damage to your bike, the car that hit you, and the surrounding environment
- Speaking to the at-fault driver and getting their name, address, and insurance information
- Getting the contact information of any eyewitnesses or people who tried to help you
If you have already left the scene without doing these things, do not worry: you were under a great deal of stress, and no one expects a bike accident victim to react “perfectly” to a crash. Our law firm can still work to collect the evidence you need.
Pinpoint the Negligence that Lets You Pursue Third-Party Compensation
You cannot compel the at-fault driver to compensate you unless your accident was caused by their negligence. Our bicycle accident injury lawyers can prove the elements of negligence, including:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
This requires a comprehensive investigation that results in a compelling collection of evidence. We can handle it for you so you can focus on getting better.
Receive Medical Care for Bicycle Accident Injuries
Some bicyclists are lucky enough to be able to walk away after an accident, while others suffer severe, life-threatening injuries that require emergency care. It is not always possible to know how badly you were injured while still at the scene because:
- You may still be in shock about what happened
- Some injuries do not present symptoms until hours or days after the fact
- There may be internal injuries you do not know about
Your first call after an accident should always be to 911. This will bring both the police and the EMTs to your location so you can get help as quickly as possible.
Follow Up With Your Bicycle Accident Injury Treatment
Whether you choose to go to the emergency room or to see your own doctor, it is vital that you obey your provider’s instructions. Doing so can show the insurance company that:
- You are taking your injuries seriously
- Your injuries require certain types of care
- You deserve reimbursement for the care you have received or will need in the future
Getting medical care also generates important evidence that you can use in your legal action. For example, your treating physician will diagnose your injuries and recommend a treatment plan. This information all goes into your medical record, which your bike accident injury attorney can use to strengthen your legal casefile.
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Track and Document Your Recoverable Damages After a Bicycle Accident
A collision between your bicycle and a vehicle can leave you with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries and all the expenses that accompany them. Our lawyer can create a list of your recoverable damages, including:
- Known and anticipated medical bills
- Treatment-related travel expenses
- Known and anticipated income loss
- Loss of the ability to earn in the future
- Property damage, loss, or diminishment
- Lasting disfigurement and impairment
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Our personal injury attorneys can also document your compensation request to support your losses, including both economic and non-economic damages.
Seek Wrongful Death Damages for a Fatal Bicycle Accident
If your family lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, your family can recover wrongful death damages that include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of a loved one’s income
- Loss of their domestic input
- Loss of consortium and society
- Loss of companionship and care
- Loss of guidance and support
Our bicycle accident law firm can handle all the details of your case while your family takes care of each other. We can clarify who can file a wrongful death action and who can recover its damages.
Know What Not to Do After a Bicycle Accident
What you do not say and do after a bicycle accident can be just as important as the actions you do take. Some actions you should avoid include:
- Signing anything without our attorney
- Making any verbal or recorded statements
- Posting about the accident on social media
- Accepting new and unknown friend requests
- Agreeing to a speedy but too-small settlement
You should also avoid discontinuing medical care without your doctor’s consent. If you do, you could inadvertently jeopardize your injury claim and potential recovery.
Letting Our Lawyers Handle All Case-Related Communication
You can avoid many of these potentially harmful actions by letting a bike accident lawyer from our team handle all communication on your behalf. This includes:
- Phone calls
- Emails
- Faxes
- Text messages
Communication also includes the negotiation process. Our legal representatives can field each settlement offer you receive and advise you on its pros and cons. Our goal is to streamline the personal injury process and negotiate the best possible compensation.
Contacting a Bike Accident Lawyer to Help You Navigate the Legal System
Recovering damages after a bicycle accident is a complex legal process. If you do not have a lawyer to represent you, it can also be a stressful one. Personal injury law firms will usually offer a free review of your case. A team member will ask about:
- The circumstances that led to the accident
- Your injuries and their extent and your recovery
- Any evidence you have in your possession
- The at-fault driver and their insurance company
This is also the time for you to ask questions about the lawyer, the law firm, and their case history.
Find Out How Much Time You Have to File a Bike Accident Lawsuit in Your State
Each state has its own statute of limitations—filing deadline—for personal injury lawsuits. Your lawsuit must be filed within the allotted time, or you lose the right to file it at all. In North Carolina, for example, you generally have:
- Three years to file your personal injury lawsuit, according to G.S. § 1-52
- Two years to file your wrongful death lawsuit, according to G.S. § 1-53
Another example: South Carolina’s personal injury or wrongful death statute of limitations is also three years, according to S.C. Ann § 15-3-530. Our bicycle accident lawyers can help you interpret the filing deadline since it can fluctuate. This way, you can avoid the consequences of filing your lawsuit too late.
Get a Free Review of Your Bicycle Accident Case from Our Local Law Firm
If you or someone you love was injured in a bicycle accident, you could have the basis of a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. You do not have to deal with the insurance company on your own. Our bicycle accident lawyers can guide you through each step of the financial recovery process.
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we know exactly what to do after a bicycle accident to recover damages for you. Contact our case review team to get started on your injury claim today.
