What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
San Francisco Injury Lawyer Discusses What to Do After a Bike Accident
Being careful and observing all safety measures that have been put in place by the state is paramount when riding a bicycle. However, no matter how safety conscious you are, sometimes the odds can be against you. Knowing what to do immediately after a bicycle accident can make a difference in saving the lives of those who may be severely injured, as well as help with protecting your rights and getting just compensation for your injuries. In this article, our San Francisco bicycle accident lawyer gives tips on what to do after a bicycle accident.
1. Get off the road
When you get involved in an accident, the first thing you need to do it to get off the road and deal with the incident away from the moving traffic. Once you are in a safe place, take time to check yourself to see if you are hurt. Accidents happen so fast, before you speak to any other parties involved, evaluate yourself to see if you have injuries.
2. Call for help
Your health should always be your main priority. If the accident has injured you, you need to seek help immediately. Call 911, spouse or friend for help. If you have been badly injured and you aren’t able to make a call, ask for assistance from people around you.
3. Write down the vehicle’s license plate
Under normal circumstances, drivers are supposed to stay at the scene of an accident until the police arrive. However, some drivers decide to free the scene–also known as a hit and run. Make sure you write down or memorize the vehicle’s license plate, as well as the description of the plate, just in case the driver flees the scene of the accident.
4. Get the drivers information
It is also very important to get the divers information after a bicycle accident. Some of the most important things that you need to know include the driver’s name, date of birth, current vehicle registration information, and most importantly, their insurance information including (insurance company and policy number).
5. Gather sufficient evidence
Gathering enough evidence is crucial especially when seeking for compensation. The mistake people make the most is relying on evidence gathered by the police. To increase your chances of winning a lawsuit, take the initiative of taking names of witnesses as well as their contact information. In addition, get photos of the crash scene as well as any witnesses photos. You also need to get the information of the police who was at the scene of the accident.
6. Preserve your evidence
Don’t attempt to fix anything after a bicycle accident. You should not wash your clothes or fix your bike in any way. Similarly, you should not send your bicycle, helmet or any other evidence to anyone other than your San Francisco personal injury lawyer.
7. Seek help from an attorney
If you get involved in a bicycle accident, it is very important to seek the services of a bicycle accident lawyer. Hiring an experienced Bay Area accident attorney who has successfully litigated lawsuits similar to yours will help you get compensation that you deserve.
Contact a San Francisco Attorney at the Law Offices of Daniel Vega
Daniel Vega is an experienced Bay Area attorney who has successfully represented injured cyclists in San Francisco. With years of experience, he knows how to deal with stubborn insurance companies that try to keep their claim payouts low. If you have been injured from a bicycle accident or know a friend, family member or colleague who has been injured from a bicycle accident, contact the Law Offices of Daniel Vega today at (415) 287-6200 or fill out our online contact form here.