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Do You Know What to Do After a Bicycle Accident?

If you’re struck by a car when riding your bicycle then there are some very important steps you should take. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we find that many of our clients know the basic steps to take after an auto accident, but it’s less common for bicyclists to know what to do. Read on to learn more and then contact us at 909-982-0707 for your free case evaluation.

Get immediate medical attention if necessary

Your first concern should be your physical well-being. Get out of the road and if you or anyone else involved has serious injuries, call 9-1-1 right away. Some injuries may be treated at the scene and others may require you to go to the hospital. Note that all the following tips are less important than getting prompt medical attention if you need it.

Work with the police

When you’re working with a bicycle attorney, one of the most essential documents we can use for your case is a traffic collision report. Unless you must leave right away to get medical care, you should always wait for the police and get an accident report. You also want to talk to the people you were involved in the accident in order to get their insurance information but don’t talk to them about who was at fault.

Do talk to the police

In most cases, whether we settle your case, go to mediation, or end up at trial, it’s important for the police to have your side of the story. Your first statement is often the most accurate because small info can be lost over time.

Look for witnesses

Was there anyone around who witnessed the accident? If there were, get their contact information and ask if they’ll talk with the police about what they saw. The more witnesses you can get, the better, though keep in mind that they must be unbiased. For example, someone who was walking by – not your best friend who was riding behind you.

Document everything that happened

As soon as you get home, write down everything you can remember. This includes all your medical treatment, the details of the accident, etc. As time goes on, make sure you continue to document everything, including any time you had to miss from either work or school, the emotional trauma you went through, etc. Don’t wash the clothing you were wearing and take pictures of everything you can. Never repair your bike until you’ve talked to your attorney.

Contact a bicycle attorney

Even if the insurance company of the motorist who hit you is offering you a settlement, you need to contact a personal injury attorney. Why? Because that insurance company is not on your side – their only goal is to make as much money as possible, which requires them to try and pay out as little as possible. contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas for your free consultation today. We can take a look at the basics of your case and let you know what your options are.