Bicycle accidents often result in severe injuries for riders and expensive medical bills. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, there are several steps you can take at the scene of the crash to protect your health and ensure your financial future is secure. Alternatively, a wrong step can leave you incredibly vulnerable.
At The Schiller Kessler Group, we have helped countless bicycle accident victims pursue damages after a collision. Help us help you by taking the necessary steps after an accident. Our team of experienced bicycle accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale will work diligently to win compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation.
Seek Medical Attention
Your health is the most important thing after a bicycle accident. You should carefully check yourself to identify if you were injured in the accident. Even if you are uninjured, you should call 911 and get checked out by paramedics. If you are able, you should check on anyone else involved in the crash to see if they were hurt.
If you find another party in need of medical assistance, follow any instructions from the 911 operator while waiting for emergency services to arrive at the scene.
Getting thoroughly checked out by the paramedics is critical as some injuries are not immediately apparent. Even if the paramedics believe you were unharmed after examining you, it is best to get a second opinion from a doctor at a hospital.
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Photograph the Scene
One of the best things you can do to help protect yourself in any legal proceedings that result from your accident is to take photographs of the scene. If you are able, you should take pictures of the accident scene, any vehicles involved, any factors that may have contributed to the accident, and any visible injuries or damage to your property that you suffered.
You should also record any observations about the scene that you think may be relevant. You can take notes on your phone to share with your attorney.
Collect the Insurance Information of Other Involved Parties
You should exchange contact information with other involved parties and collect their insurance information. However, beyond exchanging this basic information, you should not engage any other involved parties in further conversation. There is always the possibility that you could say something that would harm your case.
For example, if they suffered injuries, you might feel empathy and say that you are sorry. Even if you know they were to blame for the accident and that you were faultless, saying you are sorry can be taken as an admission of guilt. In this situation, silence is golden.
Speak to Witnesses
You should collect contact information for any eyewitnesses to the accident. It can be very difficult to track down witnesses after they have left the scene. Providing your attorney with contact details for witnesses can help them significantly as they attempt to build your case for compensation.
Even if your attorney is able to track down witnesses after you fail to get their contact information, it may take them time to do so. The closer to the date of your accident, the more reliable witness testimony will be in your case.
Give Your Account to the Police
Even if nobody was injured in the accident, you need to file an accident report with the police. While the liable party may request to keep the police and the insurance companies out of it, insisting they will pay for your damages with cash, this is never advisable.
You may have injuries that are not immediately evident, and failing to file an accident report can negate your ability to pursue compensation. Even if you are not injured, it is unlikely that the other party will have money to pay you for your damages on the spot. Once you have left the accident scene, recovering compensation becomes far more difficult.
Furthermore, the other party may file a claim against you. They could call in the accident after you leave and claim you left the scene of the accident, and if you lack video evidence or witness testimony, it can be hard to refute their claims.
Call an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney
The sooner you reach out to an experienced attorney, the better. By contacting a lawyer before you leave the accident scene, you can get on-the-spot legal advice. Your attorney may even be able to come down to the accident scene and immediately get to work interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence.
When your lawyer is able to begin building your personal injury claim to recover damages early, it will significantly improve your chances of getting the money you need.
Get Help From the Experienced Team at SKG Today
The Schiller Kessler Group has been helping bicycle accident victims pursue compensation from those liable for their damages for the last two decades. We understand the challenges that our clients face and will work diligently to ensure you recover the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact us today by phone or through our website to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced bicycle accident lawyers.
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