What to Do After a Bicycle Accident on Busy Montgomery County Roads

Cycling is great for recreation and for practical transportation, as well. However, when a cyclist is injured in a bicycle accident with a vehicle, the injury victim must be prepared to advocate for their rights. Those rights and the best next steps after an accident are areas where a Montgomery County bicycle accident lawyer can provide an injured cyclist with a significant advantage. 

Determine the Extent of Injuries Suffered After a Bicycle Accident

Health and safety are the top priorities after being injured in a bicycle accident. An injured cyclist should consider the following steps initially:

• Determine the extent of injuries suffered. Depending upon the severity of the injuries sustained in the bicycle accident, a cyclist should evaluate the extent of those injuries and contact emergency assistance. Serious injuries require contacting 9-1-1.
• Once it is safe to do so, a cyclist should move off the roadway and get to a safe location. In the event of a serious injury, emergency personnel may need to assist in moving an injured victim. 
• Speak with all parties to the bicycle accident to exchange contact and insurance information. This may be the only opportunity available throughout the accident process to perform this essential step. 

The Importance of Gathering Evidence After a Bicycle Accident

The statements of any witnesses to the accident can prove invaluable to an injury victim. Calling these persons as witnesses in a trial provides firsthand knowledge of the events and their results. As with the other parties to the accident, a bicyclist should record any witness contact information before taking further action. 

In addition to speaking to the other parties to the accident as well as potential witnesses, a cyclist should document the accident’s surrounding area if possible. Take photographs of the roadway surface, vehicles involved, and damage to their bicycle. As with witness statements, these photographs provide the parties involved with an account of the accident’s results. 

If at all possible, a cyclist should contact law enforcement after being injured in a bicycle accident. A report can be produced after a law enforcement investigation is completed. Whatever accounts any party attempts to provide after the accident has occurred, these police reports offer an immediate account of what happened, who is likely at fault, and any damages sustained by the involved parties. 

What Type of Medical Care Should Be Sought After a Cycling Accident?

No matter if a cyclist feels uninjured immediately after an accident, it is still good practice to seek medical care. Depending upon the injury, there may be no symptoms apparent for hours or even days after an accident. By seeking medical care immediately after an accident, a cyclist can determine the extent of their injuries and begin the healing process sooner rather than later. 

Whatever medical care is received after a bicycle accident, a record should be kept of the treatment sought and received. This includes paperwork associated with the cost of medical care. The better documented this medical care is, the more likely a personal injury claim is to be successful. 

Alleging injuries after a bicycle accident is understandable, but receiving compensation for those injuries depends largely on the care sought. A claim for damages is less likely to be successful when the injury victim received no medical care. For the sake of a cyclist’s physical health and the strength of their future claim, medical care plays a major role. 

When and How to Contact an Insurance Company

It is crucial to contact your insurance company quickly after a bicycle accident. Once contact is made with the insurance company, they can begin investigating the accident and determining fault. Details of the accident should be disclosed, as well as information about the at-fault motorist and any witnesses who may be contacted. An insurance company can verify the benefits available under a policy for a cyclist injured in an auto accident.

When the insurance company asks for a recorded statement, the injured cyclist should provide straightforward information based on their understanding of what occurred in the accident. Speculation will not help expedite a potential claim or help a cyclist get back on their feet. 

Contacting a Montgomery County Bicycle Accident Lawyer

When it comes to best practices after a bicycle accident, an injury victim should seriously consider contacting a Montgomery County bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

Victims of bicycle accidents have legal rights. Much of the time, these rights are not a focus for insurance companies. Almost certainly, the insurance company for the at-fault driver will immediately take a position to minimize exposure to damages. This means that a cycling accident victim must seek assistance and advocacy to ensure their injuries are properly attended to. 

Hiring an attorney does not automatically mean that a lawsuit must be filed. On the contrary, a bicycle accident attorney pursues damages through settlement negotiations at the outset of a claim. Providing an overview of the evidence, including relevant information about injuries sustained in the accident, positions an injured cyclist well to collect compensation in either a negotiated settlement or a contested trial.

When Does a Lawsuit Become an Option After a Bicycle Accident?

Settlement negotiations are almost always preferable when compared to filing a lawsuit and proceeding to court. Once it is determined that a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, a lawsuit must be filed. An experienced attorney, skilled at serving bicycle accident victims, assists in many ways both during the negotiation and litigation phases of a case. 

Contact a Montgomery County Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today 

Montgomery County bicycle accident lawyer, Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C., offers free case reviews. Contact our office today to schedule your opportunity to speak with an advocate for injured cyclists.