Five Things to Do Following a Bike Accident
Author: Auger Law | January 19th, 2018
Bicycle versus vehicle accidents can cause severe injuries. Some of these injuries may heal with time, and others can be lifelong. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident, you may be interested in seeking compensation from the at-fault party for medical bills and more. The steps you took following your accident will have an impact on the outcome of your case.
Your emotions are obviously heightened following any accident. This can make it difficult to behave appropriately as it pertains to a potential lawsuit. These are the steps that should have been taken after your accident and they are the steps you should take if you are involved in an accident in the future.
1. Call 911
The first thing to do after an accident is to call 911. If you are unable to make the phone call yourself, ask a witness to do it for you. The dispatcher will determine what type of emergency assistance you need, sending you the police, fire or medical personnel as required.
2. Medical Attention
If you are injured, do not refuse medical treatment. In some instances, your injuries are minor and you think that you can take care of them at home. This may be true, but you could have injuries that aren’t obvious and need to be appropriately diagnosed by a doctor. If you don’t seek medical attention, your case could be negatively impacted.
3. Talk With Law Enforcement
When the police arrive, they will ask you questions. Be honest when answering the questions so that the police can file the correct information with their report. The officer will likely want to know your personal information as well as your account of the accident.
4. Stay Calm
It’s important that you remain as calm as you can. Do not engage the person you believe to be at fault for the accident. While you can certainly accept their assistance if you’ve been injured, do not discuss details of the collision with the other party.
5. Call An Attorney
After you have taken the first four steps, your last will be to call a local, experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can advise you of any further steps you need to take and, after discussing your accident with you, can advise you of any other actions you need to take. If another person was at fault for your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for any monies you have to pay out as a result of your injuries or property damage.
If you are involved in a bicycle accident in Charlotte or elsewhere in North or South Carolina, reach out to our office. We will help you arrange a free case evaluation at which time we will advise you of your legal rights. Call today to discover more about your options or browse our website to learn more about our firm and the types of cases we handle.
