If you are involved in a bike accident in California, do you know what to do afterward? Many people do not. If you regularly ride a bike, then you should take steps to protect yourself, such as wearing safety gear and following all traffic laws. You should also know what to do in the event you are in a bike accident.
One step you should take is to contact a personal injury attorney. If you have been injured in this type of accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
Contact Emergency Services
In most cases, you will need to call 911 to summons the police and ambulance services. Even if you think that your injuries are only minor, it is important to get medical care. It is also important to file a police report. Remember that even though you might feel injured at this moment, some injuries take days to show up. Do not leave the scene without a police report.
Avoid Negotiating with the Driver
It is common for drivers to panic. They know that they are almost always legally at fault for bike accidents. They might apologize and promise to pay for medical bills, property damage, etc. Nothing they say is legally binding. If you accept this negotiation, there is nothing to stop them from denying the entire accident.
Likewise, you have no idea if they have the financial means to pay for these damages. If they are legally driving, then they have auto insurance, and that auto insurance should cover your damages.
Gather as Much Evidence as You Can
It is important to gather evidence so that if you have to file a personal injury report, you will have the evidence needed to prove your case. This includes photos, information from witnesses, medical records, and more. If there is anything relevant at the scene, such as skid marks or damage to streetlights, take a picture or record it for the record.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
It is likely that the insurance company of the driver is going to reach out and offer a settlement soon after the accident. They will do this because they know that their insured is at fault, and they want you to settle before you learn that you are entitled to additional compensation other than what they are offering. As soon as you sign a settlement with them, you cannot sue for future damages.
This is why we recommend you contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. We will take the time to listen to your side, understand your case, and then provide legal advice so that you know how best to proceed.
