If a car just hit you while you were riding your bike, your heart is likely pounding, your body probably hurts, and panic is setting in fast. The next steps you take could determine how much compensation you may receive for your injuries. Knowing what to do after a bicycle accident in Huntsville can make a difference in protecting your rights and your legal claim.
Never hesitate to contact the experienced bike accident attorneys at Siniard Law, LLC, for additional guidance. Our team could assist you with your case while you recover from your injuries.
Check Yourself for Injuries
After the bike crash in Huntsville, take a moment to assess your condition, and then make sure to move your body slowly and carefully. Adrenaline can mask pain in the moments after a crash, so injuries that seem minor now might be more serious later. Wait for emergency responders to arrive, as moving too soon may worsen your injuries, especially if you have spinal damage.
Call 911 Immediately
Always call the police after a bicycle accident, even if the Huntsville driver wants to handle it privately. An official accident report creates a record of what happened, which makes this document vital evidence for your claim. The police report will include the driver’s information, witness statements, and the officer’s observations about the scene.
You should also tell the dispatcher if you need an ambulance. Do not refuse medical transport to save money. Insurance companies use this refusal of medical care as evidence that you were not really hurt from this crash.
Document Everything at the Scene
If you can, take photos immediately after the bike crash in Huntsville. Do your best to capture photos of the vehicle from several angles, along with your bike’s damage, your visible injuries, and scenes from the crash site.
Try to include skid marks, debris, signals, and road conditions to document what happened thoroughly. Photograph or note the driver’s license plate, insurance, license, and phone number.
Collect Witness Information
Witnesses are essential to your case because they could independently confirm how the bike crash happened in Huntsville, so ask for their names and phone numbers before they leave. Do not rely solely on the police to collect this information, as they might miss some witnesses or arrive after some people have already gone. You could ask the witnesses if they are willing to provide a statement later because many people may want to help you, but they may need to go quickly at that time.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Even if you feel fine after the Huntsville bike crash, you should go to the emergency room for medical care. Serious injuries, such as concussions or internal bleeding, may not appear immediately.
Tell the doctor about every pain or symptom you may feel, no matter how small it is, as these medical records become key evidence for your case. After being examined by medical professionals, follow all treatment plans they give you and attend every follow-up appointment, since insurance companies use gaps in treatment to question your injuries.
Preserve Evidence
After the bike accident in Huntsville, keep your damaged bike and helmet as they are from the scene because they show the force of the crash. You can also save your clothing, as the rips and bloodstains help prove the severity of the impact, along with your injuries.
Store these items somewhere safely, and keep all your medical bills, prescriptions, and records of missed work. Each day, keep notes of how your injuries are impacting your life, as every detail you record could strengthen your claim for compensation.
Watch What You Say
It is important that you do not apologize or admit any fault at the scene after a bike crash in Huntsville. A simple apology could be twisted into an admission of fault. The state follows contributory negligence, which means that even 1% of the blame could eliminate your claim entirely.
Insurance companies monitor social media profiles by looking for posts they can use against you, so do not discuss the accident on your social media accounts. One photo of you smiling could get labeled as proof that you were not really injured from the bike crash.
Why Should You Avoid Insurance Companies Initially?
The driver’s insurance will call you quickly after your Huntsville bike accident and sound helpful over the phone, but they are building their defense against you. Do not give them a recorded statement without legal guidance.
Adjusters ask leading questions designed to get you to minimize your injuries or accept partial blame. Once you are recorded, you cannot take back what you said to the adjuster during the phone call.
Contact a Lawyer To Learn What to Do After a Huntsville Bike Crash
Time matters after a crash because evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and the state’s two-year deadline approaches faster than you think. Our lawyers at Siniard Law, LLC, know exactly what to do after a bicycle accident in Huntsville. We help to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need to recover fully from your injuries. Contact our bike accident attorneys now to get started.
