If you feel like San Joaquin Valley roads are getting more dangerous for cyclists, you would be right. The community has been seeing more accidents involving cyclists on the road . In fact, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Central Valley has the 8th highest rate of bicycle accidents nationwide. Because of this, having a bicycle accident lawyer in San Joaquin County who will relentlessly advocate for you against the responsible party is essential. Numbers don’t lie; between 2017 and 2021 (the most recent data available), the Central Valley had 37 cyclist deaths (4 less than number one ranked Pasco County, FL). With a population of 779,227, that’s 4.75 deaths per 100,000 people.
If you have been the victim of a bicycle accident, don’t resign yourself to being another statistic. After an accident, call us immediately. Because unlike family and friends who might panic or overreact, we will be calm and guide you to a place of healing and closure with empathy and understanding. Cohn & Swartzon will enforce your rights to get you the compensation you deserve for your damages. Here’s what to do after a bike accident.
Were you hurt in a bicycle accident in the Central Valley but are getting the runaround from the driver or their insurance? Call LegalHelp123 now at 559-530-8108.
What to Do After Getting Hit by a Car on Bike?
As a victim, the bottom line is you have rights and are entitled to compensation. But the responsible driver and their attorney will want you to go away and try to block you from enforcing your rights. Most victims assume their insurance will handle it, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You need legal guidance. Here is some guidance from a bicycle accident lawyer in San Joaquin County on what to do after getting hit by a car, truck or any other vehicle while riding a bike.
Related Article: Bicycle Death Toll Continues to Climb in Orange County
Get to Safety & Call 911
Before taking any other action, move to a safe place. You will likely be upset, shaken, and disoriented, but moving to the side of the road is essential to avoid subsequent accidents.
Assess your injuries so you know what to tell emergency personnel. Then, call 911, get medical attention, and treat your wounds. Your safety and wellness should always be your number one priority. Injuries from these accidents can be severe.
Because you’ll have a considerable amount of adrenaline running through your system, you may not realize how badly you’re injured until well after the accident. Even if you don’t feel pain from the physical harm you’ve endured, getting immediate medical attention is crucial.
“Just because you don’t feel immediate pain doesn’t mean you aren’t hurt. And if you wait too long to go to the hospital, the opposing party will have grounds to argue that you were injured some other way. As a victim, you need to understand that minimizing your injuries could work against you and your attorney in court. So always get medical attention.”
– Jason Cohn, Co-Founder and Partner, Cohn & Swartzon
Document Everything
This step is imperative: document everything. With smartphones, virtually everyone has the perfect tool to keep a comprehensive record of events and the scene.
With your smartphone camera, take pictures and videos of the accident scene, your bicycle, your injuries, the vehicle that hit you (including license plate), the insurance information of the other driver, and any conditions or features that could prove that you are not at fault.
With your notes app, take down the contact and insurance info and license plate number again as a precautionary measure. Get the contact information of any witnesses. Write down your recollection of events as soon as possible. Notate any possible cameras that may have documented the accident.
Save all medical records, including bills and receipts for any medication, physical therapy, counseling, and other injury-related costs after the accidents. In their records, request that your doctor explicitly state your wounds and treatment are a result of the accident.
Also, if you have to miss work due to this injury, keep a record of any wages you lost. All this and more are essential for your bicycle accident lawyer in San Joaquin Valley as they calculate the compensation you deserve following an accident.
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Identify Witnesses
Take special note of where you are in the roadway. Were there people or a person nearby? Did someone rush to help you? These individuals are crucial to your case. Ask them what they saw, and write down their names and contact information.
File a Police Report
If the police don’t show up during the accident, file a police report after the accident. The other party may try to negotiate with you and deter you from doing so, but this will hurt you in the long run and prevent you from getting the full compensation you are entitled to.
Having the police come to take a report is extremely important to have an official record of what happened. A police report is also a great resource for your attorney because it will document any witnesses who saw the accident and the name and insurance company of the responsible party.
“Remember that, no matter how nice the driver may seem, you should never give a statement to their insurance company. They will try to get you to admit fault. Don’t talk to them at all. Let your lawyers handle them.”
– Jason Cohn, Co-Founder and Partner, Cohn & Swartzon
Were you hurt in a bicycle accident in the Central Valley but are getting the runaround from the driver or their insurance? Call LegalHelp123 now at 559-530-8108.
Stay in Place and Call a Friend/Family Member
Following an accident, it is common to want to ride back home. But stay where you are. The police and emergency personnel will let you know when they have everything they need. Leaving before this point is a detriment to your case.
Also, avoid riding home at all costs. If you have someone you can call to pick you up, call them. Riding your bike home could make injuries worse. Especially if your bike is damaged, you will be at a greater risk of another accident.
Call a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in San Joaquin County
After you have called the police and gotten medical attention, contact a bicycle accident attorney in Central Valley at the scene. You need guidance through what can quickly become a messy legal process. This professional has an extensive understanding of:
- What evidence you need to gather.
- How to navigate the complex legal process.
- How to collect the evidence you need.
- How to calculate the damages you deserve.
- How to negotiate with insurance companies.
- How to prepare a compelling argument that is successful in court.
While your attorney leverages their resources and experience to handle your case, you can focus on what’s most important: gaining closure and recovering.
Related Article: Bicycle Safety Month: Tips to Implement Year-Round
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in San Joaquin County
The attorneys at Cohn & Swartzon will relentlessly pursue the compensation you deserve after a bike accident, and help you get back on your feet. When you work with a premier bicycle accident lawyer in San Joaquin County, you can rest assured that you will not be just another statistic in this growing trend of accidents. Call us. We will tell you about the countless bike accident cases we’ve handled.
Contact the Cohn & Swartzon team of LegalHelp123.com now to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, or call LegalHelp123 at 559-530-8108.
