Bicycling is one of the best ways to get around California these days. During the pandemic, bicycling soared as more people hit the open road. However, this increase in popularity over the years has led to more California bicycle accidents. In 2020, bicycle fatalities hit a 25-year-high in California.
Motorists simply do not always know how to share the road with cyclists. As distracted driving increases, so have bicycle accidents. In 2019, nearly 850 bicyclists died in tragic preventable accidents.
If you suffered an injury in a bicycle accident, it is important to know what you can do to help your case succeed. After all, you need compensation to help pay for the injuries, damages and pain you have suffered.
Follow These Steps After a Bicycle Accident
While your lawyer can handle the legal aspects of your case, you can help by following these steps.
Seek Medical Attention
The best thing you can do after a bicycle accident is to seek medical attention. Even if you do not think you are injured, it is best to go to the doctor for a complete evaluation and examination. Many soft tissue injuries can take hours or even days to become apparent. Seeking medical attention early can help reduce the chances of complications.
Document the Accident
Do your best to document the accident. If you can, take pictures and get eyewitness information. If you are unable to do so, you can still provide your attorney with documentation. Keep a written journal of your pain and treatment after the accident. Write down all the details of the crash while it is still fresh in your memory.
Follow Your Treatment Plan
One of the best ways to help your case is to follow your treatment plan precisely. That means attending all medical appointments and therapy sessions. It also means performing the rehabilitation exercises and getting medications filled promptly. Insurers will look for any reason to reduce an accident settlement. If you are not attending your appointments, they may claim that you are not as injured as you say you are.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney
While you focus on your recovery, a bicycle accident attorney can help protect your rights to compensation. They can handle all the investigations and negotiations with insurers to ensure that you have the money you need to put your life back together again after a serious bicycle accident.
Our experienced bicycle accident attorneys can help you after suffering an injury in an accident. We can negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company and protect your rights to complete compensation. Give us a call at (909) 473-4948 and schedule a free consultation today.