Being involved in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle can be just as dangerous as being involved in a car crash on the highway. Bicycle accident injuries can be just as severe and resulting fatalities can be just as likely. That is why hiring an experienced bicycle accident lawyer after a bicycle accident is just as important as hiring a specialized personal injury lawyer for other types of personal injury cases such as:
- Car accidents;
- Truck accidents;
- Motorcycle crashes;
- Slip and falls;
- Dog bites;
- Pedestrian accidents;
- Sexual harassment at the workplace;
- Employment discrimination;
- Product liability cases;
- Wrongful death; or
- Any other accident in which you may be injured.
The award-winning attorneys at Foster Wallace, LLC, can assist in any type of personal injury case and have obtained millions of dollars in recovery for their clients. If you have been injured in any type of accident, especially a bicycle accident in Missouri or Kansas, call the attorneys at Foster Wallace, LLC, for honest, reliable, and successful representation.
What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident to Make Sure I Recover Financially?
Obtaining compensation for injuries you received in a bicycle accident can be a long and difficult process. But the experienced bicycle accident lawyers at Foster Wallace will guide you through the process and protect your financial recovery from start to finish.
Continue reading here to learn ten ways you can help yourself protect your financial recovery after a bicycle accident.
1. Never Admit Fault
Many bicycle accidents are caused by the negligence of someone driving a car. Distracted driving, speeding, hit and run, “dooring,” and failure to yield are some of the common ways a motor vehicle driver can cause a bike crash. But cyclists can cause accidents too. After all, there are specific bicycle laws in Missouri and Kansas that apply to all cyclists, and if you don’t follow the bicycle laws of the state, you could be at fault for an accident and liable for any resulting injuries or damages.
Even if you think you may be at fault for your bicycle accident, never admit fault. You should always tell the truth about what happened, but determining fault in any type of accident requires legal expertise, evidentiary training, and years of trial experience. The truth is, you cannot determine who or what caused the accident until you consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who knows how to determine fault and what evidence is needed to prove it.
Because Missouri and Kansas adopt a comparative negligence approach to liability, even if you contributed to the cause of the accident, your financial recovery may depend on the degree to which you were at fault. The best thing you can do after a bicycle accident to protect your financial recovery is not to discuss fault at all until you have an opportunity to consult with a bicycle accident attorney.
2. Report the Accident to Police
Even if your bicycle accident did not result in serious injuries, you should always report the accident to the police and file a police report. The police will ensure that you are safe at the scene, take statements from anyone who was involved in or witnessed the accident, and make an official record of what happened. Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report. It will be a valuable piece of evidence that may help prove fault and protect your financial recovery.
3. Always Seek Medical Attention
Your financial recovery after a bicycle accident depends on proving fault and demonstrating injuries. The best way to demonstrate your injuries is with medical evidence. Even if you think you are not injured after a bicycle accident, always seek or accept medical attention just in case. Sometimes bruises, swelling, and internal injuries may be delayed and may not manifest until hours or even days after trauma to the body. A thorough medical exam may make a significant difference in proving your injuries and protecting your financial recovery.
4. Take Pictures
Once you are sure you are safe after your accident, while waiting for the police, use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene and your surroundings. There may be evidence at the scene that you don’t even realize at the time.
If it is safe to do so, be sure to take pictures of:
- Your injuries;
- Your bicycle;
- The motor vehicle(s) involved;
- The surrounding area;
- Any traffic signs or signals that are present or nearby;
- The traffic conditions;
- The weather;
- The road conditions; and
- Any other images you think will present a full picture of the accident scene and what may have occurred at the time to cause the accident.
These kinds of photos will help your attorney determine who or what may have caused the accident and will be relevant to protecting your financial recovery for your damages.
5. Obtain Witness Information
If you are able, collect any contact information from witnesses who may have been present at the scene and who may be able to offer helpful witness testimony about what happened. Make sure any potential witnesses give a statement to the police. Eye witness testimony can be a weighty factor in demonstrating who was at fault.
6. Collect and Preserve Evidence
Even if there are no eye witnesses to your accident, there will be other relevant evidence at the scene. In addition to a police report, much evidence can be preserved by taking photos as described above. Other physical evidence needed will include the damage to your bicycle, clothes, or other personal property. Damage to surrounding property like buildings, trees, mail boxes, street lights, and other fixtures will be relevant to your case.
7. File an Insurance Claim
The first step to financial recovery after an accident is filing an insurance claim. The legal team at Foster Wallace, LLC, can assist you in filing your claim. An insurance adjuster will be assigned to your case and will offer a money settlement to compensate you for your injuries and damage to your bicycle. Let an experienced negotiator at Foster Wallace, LLC, file your claim and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company.
8. Do Not Accept the First Settlement Offer
After a bicycle accident, you likely will have medical bills for your injuries and will want to repair or replace your bicycle. The insurance company will try to convince you that you should settle your case as quickly as possible. But remember that your insurance adjuster is not looking out for your best interest. The insurance adjuster’s job is to save money for the insurance company by settling your case quickly and for less than you deserve. Do not accept any settlement offer until you consult with a Foster Wallace attorney, who will negotiate with the insurance company and fight to maximize your financial recovery.
9. Keep Meticulous Records
The most effective way to negotiate with the insurance company is to have proof of your damages. You can prove your damages by keeping an organized record of all the medical and out-of-pocket expenses you have incurred because of your accident. These may include records and receipts for:
- Bike repair or replacement;
- Damages clothes and accessories;
- Ambulance services;
- Hospital stays;
- Medical tests and procedures;
- Prescription medicines;
- Follow-up doctor visits;
- Travel expenses;
- Rehabilitation services; and
- Lost wages.
10. Always Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney
Insurance adjusters are trained to disprove fault and minimize the value of your injuries and expenses. The worst thing you can do when trying to obtain financial recovery for your damages is to negotiate with the insurance company without an attorney to protect your interests.
Don’t attempt to settle your case by yourself because you think you cannot afford an attorney. At Foster Wallace, LLC, you do not pay anything unless we obtain for you a financial settlement or a jury verdict if your case goes to trial. We will protect your interest throughout your entire case at no charge until you receive the compensation you deserve. At Foster Wallace, your interests always come first.
Let Foster Wallace Help You Protect Your Financial Recovery After a Bicycle Accident in Missouri or Kansas
You have just learned ten things you can do after a bicycle accident to protect your financial recovery. But these are small steps. The best way to protect your financial interests and maximize your compensation when you have been injured in a bicycle accident is to have an experienced bicycle accident attorney at Foster Wallace assist you from the beginning. We will:
- Obtain relevant evidence;
- Prove fault;
- Appropriately value your injuries;
- File your insurance claim;
- Negotiate with the insurance company; and either
- Fight for fair settlement; or
- Obtain a maximum jury award for your injuries.
