The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that there are at least two people who get killed on a bicycle every single day in the United States. In Arizona, specifically, there are over 1,300 recorded bike accidents. The state was even declared as the 5th most dangerous state for bicyclists because of the frequency of this type of bike accident.
The hope, of course, is that you won’t have to be a part of these statistics. But in the event that you do, because a bike accident can happen, it would be ideal for you to know what to do next.
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind, as well as reasons why you should consider getting in touch with a Tempe bike crash attorney immediately.
Take Your Time
If you get knocked off your bike by a motorist, it’s best for you to take your time before getting back on your bike. Sure, you have places to be and you need to get going, but you need to first make sure that you are able to do so safely and efficiently.
Many a time, bicyclists would try to shake off the fall and rush to get back on the bike, only to realize that they may not be in as good a shape as they thought. If you can, do a self-check first to make sure you have no serious injuries, such as broken bones or open cuts.
The important thing is that you don’t rush to assume that you are okay before getting back on the bike.
Wait for the Police
Bike accidents must be treated like any other vehicular accident, which means that a police report must be filed. This is important because sometimes, your body would have taken a huge hit, but you won’t feel it till a few hours or even a day later, when the bruising develops. This police report would be crucial when you talk to accident lawyers in Phoenix should you decide to file a personal injury claim.
Talk on the Record
The police report is one way to make sure that everything about the incident is documented. However, it’s expected for you to have a conversation with the involved motorist outside of this, especially while waiting for the police to arrive.
Accident lawyers Phoenix advise you not to negotiate or settle with the motorist under these circumstances. First of all, these agreements on the fly can be easily denied by the involved motorist. Second, you still have no idea what the extent of your injury is.
You’re much better off leaving these types of conversations with your injury attorney Phoenix, so you can be sure to get the recompense rightfully due you.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Even if you believe yourself to be fine immediately after the accident, you still need to make sure that you get fully checked out by a doctor. Tell them exactly what happened: how you got hit, how hard you fell, the position in which your body landed on the ground, any joint and muscle pains that may have developed afterwards, whether you might have hit your head, and so on and so forth.
It’s crucial that you recall and provide as much information as possible so that they can know the steps to take for your treatment. Not only that, but this medical report could also be eventually used to support your claim when you file one under the personal injury law Phoenix.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Last but not least, you need to hire an injury attorney Phoenix, such as from Taylor & Gomez Law Firm. They can help you map out a comprehensive and effective strategy when you decide to pursue a case for personal injury Phoenix.
Depending on the findings of the police and medical report, you can demand for damages and compensation, to hold the responsible motorist liable for your accident.
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