Although many think biking as a safer mode of transportation than driving, bikers are vulnerable to being hit by reckless and distracted drivers. Even with a helmet, the cyclist doesn’t have a vehicle driver’s protection in a crash. If you sustained injuries after a bicycle accident, don’t hesitate to seek help from our reliable bike accident attorneys in Elkhart, Indiana.

Bike accidents can result in catastrophic injuries or even deaths. Bike accident victims die or sustain serious injuries at a significantly higher rate than people in car accidents. If you are riding a bicycle and get into an accident, what you do at the accident scene and after the crash is crucial.

If you’re injured in a bike accident, it is highly recommended to get legal help from a reliable Elkhart bike accident attorney in understanding your rights as a victim. Call us today at Wilson & Kinsman LLC by dialing 574-891-5084. We can also help in all sorts of accidents such as a car accident, motorcycle accident, or a truck accident.

Being injured in a bike accident can be unsettling and traumatic. However, it is crucial to know what to do and respond appropriately in this unexpected situation. Your actions after the accident can have a significant impact on how much compensation you’ll get for your severe bodily injuries and damage to your bicycle. It can also affect any personal injury lawsuit resulting from a bike accident. Consult with reliable Elkhart personal injury attorneys today so we can help you with your case.

Making wise decisions immediately after the accident will have a positive effect on your injury case. It is advisable to consult a knowledgeable bike accident attorney in Elkhart, IN to help you know what you should do if you get involved in a bike accident. Here’s what you need to do:

Seek Medical Treatment

The first thing you can do after a bike accident is to check whether anyone is injured. Following a bicycle accident, your health should be your top priority. If appropriate, call 911 as quickly as you can and request medical assistance. If there’s a trained first responder on the scene, they may provide first aid assistance to an injured victim, depending on the severity of the injury.

Even if you feel that you’re not injured, you should still visit your doctor as soon as possible. Many injuries from a bike accident may not manifest right away. They may have very subtle symptoms, or initially no symptoms at all.

Wait for the Police to Arrive

It is essential to wait for the police to arrive first before you leave the scene. The police can write a report and conduct a brief investigation that may help support your future insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. A police report provides documentation detailing the incident, including the identity of witnesses. Don’t hesitate to give them a factual, complete, and accurate statement of the accident. If you leave the accident scene, you may have difficulty identifying the at-fault driver.

Obtain Driver and Witness Contact Information

Take note of the personal information of all drivers, victims, or witnesses, including name, address, contact number, vehicle license number, driver’s license number, and insurance information. After you leave the scene, it might be challenging to track down everyone involved in the accident. Thus, you must have the details you need to contact them. If you can’t get this information yourself because of your injuries, ask someone else to do it for you.

Seek Legal Advice from a Bike Accident Attorney

Dealing with bike accidents can be stressful and complicated. It requires an in-depth understanding of complex legal issues and state laws. If you were injured in a bike accident that leads to substantial medical expenses, pain, and suffering, lost wages, diminished quality of life, you must get legal help from a seasoned bike accident attorney in Elkhart. Our bike accident attorneys can fight for your right as a victim and help you get the compensation you deserve.

You may consult a bike accident attorney who understands bicycling or has handled bike accident cases. Such an attorney can advise you on how to proceed, represent you in a lawsuit, and negotiate with the insurance companies.

Document the Accident Scene

Take photos from multiple angles of all the bicycles and vehicles involved in the accident. Take clear pictures of the damage to all vehicles involved. Document the bike accident scene and identify what happened, how, when, and where it occurred, and road, traffic, and weather conditions.

Preserve Evidence

After an accident, finding and preserving evidence can be the key to a successful personal injury claim. Leave your damaged bike or other property in the same state as after the accident. Don’t fix or inspect anything to preserve significant physical evidence that can help prove the extent of an injury.

The best way to preserve evidence of your injuries is by promptly reporting all of them to a doctor or other medical provider and by photographing any visible marks, cuts, bruises, or swelling, including any casts, splints, or bandages. The first few days immediately following an accident are often the most important for finding and preserving evidence of what happened.

Do Not Negotiate with the Driver

Never negotiate with the driver of the vehicle, regardless of who may be at fault. In most cases, some drivers initially accept the blame and apologize, only to later deny their negligence and presence at the accident scene. The officer who will respond to the accident has to document everything that happened in the police report. They may ticket the driver involved in the accident, which may help settle the personal injury case with the insurance company.

Do Not Communicate with Insurance Companies

Avoid communicating with your insurance company without the presence of a qualified Elkhart bike accident attorney. Keep in mind that they could use anything you say to the insurance company against you later. Sometimes a letter from an attorney to the insurance company will resolve issues while avoiding legal pitfalls. Most injury cases are settled without ever going to trial.

All drivers are obligated to obey the rules of the road. Like other vehicle accident lawsuits, bicycle accident lawsuits are governed by state law and often informed by state and local traffic laws.

At Wilson & Kinsman LLC, we have extensive experience and broad knowledge in handling bike accident cases. Our qualified Elkhart bike accident attorneys can help you investigate your case in compliance with the state laws.

The ultimate goal of safe bicycling is to avoid accidents altogether. However, some bicyclists who violate right-of-way rules face another potential hardship—if a bike accident occurs, they might be found at fault.

Bicycle accidents can happen at the most unexpected place and time. While bicyclists and vehicle drivers are required to share the road, riders and drivers will inevitably end up in traffic accidents with one another. It can lead to catastrophic injuries and significant liabilities. Bicycle accident lawsuits involve the investigation of whether the driver or the bicyclist negligently caused the accident. This negligence determination can be complex and require in-depth analysis.

If you’ve been injured in a biking accident, schedule a consultation with our competent Elkhart bike accident attorneys at Wilson & Kinsman LLC for experienced legal representation. Our personal injury law firm in Elkhart will help you protect your rights and get the fair compensation you deserve.