In Fremont, California, a bicycle crash can be very bad. Even though Fremont is a bike-friendly place, drivers don’t always follow the rules. In fact, 52 bike crashes happened in the city in 2023. Cyclists often get hurt because cars are careless and don’t follow the law.
After an accident, you may be thinking what your choices are, but with getting better from your injuries and worrying about money, you may not know where to start. This guide will show you the right things to do after a bicycle crash.
Seek Medical Care
After the accident, it’s important to make sure you get any medical help you need. Not only does it protect your life, it can also give you important proof to back up your claim.
Medical records, imaging scans, and diagnostic test results can help you show how badly you were hurt and your right to compensation if you have to go to court.
Document Evidence
The best photos are those taken at the scene of the crime, but you can also take pictures of the damage to your bike and yourself as proof. You can also call the cops, make a claim with the driver’s insurance company, and keep all of the messages you send and receive about the accident.
You can also get statements from people who saw what happened, use doctors’ notes, and even get written stories of damage from family and friends who saw how the accident changed your life.
If your accident hurt you enough that you had to miss work, keep track of your missed wages. This includes any time you spent talking to your boss about the accident.
Consult With an Attorney ASAP
Prior to taking an insurance settlement, you should talk to a lawyer to find out if you have the right to possibly get more money in court.
It might be hard to build a case against someone if you’ve already taken money from their insurance company. But you might not get the amount you deserve or enough to cover all the losses you’ve already suffered.
A lawyer can help you learn important things, like the laws about biking in Fremont, CA, and how long you have to file a personal injury claim.
If you get hurt in California, you have two years to make a claim. Some things are different, though. Still, it gets harder to make a good case in court if you wait a long time between the accident and your claim.
It is best to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to help you get the best result. You could also talk to your lawyer on behalf of a family member who was seriously hurt or killed in a California biking accident.
Don’t Accept the First Offer
A lot of people are afraid that they won’t be able to get their money back if they don’t accept the first deal from their insurance company. You can, however, work with a lawyer to get better pay and make sure that your injury is fully covered.
Some accidents cause damage that can’t be fixed, but going to court can help protect your finances and give you peace of mind.