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There are many steps a person should take following a bicycle accident. The most important thing to do is to take care of yourself first and foremost and go to the hospital. If you are able to walk away from the accident, it is always good to get checked out by your primary care physician just to make sure there is not any internal injuries or head trauma that was not discovered at the scene.
As soon as possible, following an accident, you should discuss your legal options with an experienced bicycle accident attorney. A seasoned lawyer could provide you with insight on what to do next after a bicycle accident in Ocean Springs.
It is important to document the accident as best as possible by taking pictures or have somebody take pictures on behalf of the injured bicycles. Additionally, getting witness states and ensuring that the accident report is properly filled out by authorities. A good lawyer will follow up with the authorities following the accident. After they retain a lawyer to document and get as much evidence as possible to get the best outcome for their case.
If a bicyclist sustained catastrophic injuries, it is always best to follow their doctor’s advice and follow up on treatment following a bicycle accident. If the injured bicyclist cannot go back to work immediately, they should contact their employer and let them know what happened and how long they expect to be out.
In minor bicycle accidents, it is always important to make a claim immediately so that the process can begin. But in major bicycle accidents, they are not going to be able to be in a position to make a claim right away, and somebody acting on their behalf, such as a lawyer or a family member, will have to do that for them.
If the person who is injured in the accident does not have insurance, then they must contact the insurance company from the person that hit them. This will be listed on a police report. But sometimes people do not always have insurance, or they may not have cards to prove to authorities that they had insurance, and that will require some investigation, either by the injured person’s own efforts, by an attorney, or someone acting on their behalf.
For minor accidents, many people handle their case a lot. And in those situations then there is not a lot of value that a lawyer can provide. If they are major accidents where at least transportation to the hospital was necessary, then a lawyer is needed to fight for the best possible outcome and compensation possible.
The most common mistakes people make when handling cases on their own is they do not value the case high enough, or they value it too high. And so they do not get a good assessment of what their damages actually cost, what the market value of a case would be, or what the value of a case would be if they were taken to trial.
The other thing is they make too many statements to authority. Many people make too many statements to insurance adjusters and divulge information that is hurtful to their claim. This is usually not done intentionally it is almost always with good intent. But people do not know any better and will give certain information to insurance companies that the insurance company can use against them.
Immediately after a collision, you should get proper medical treatment. Then, after treatment, you should reach out to an experienced attorney. A lawyer will work towards a quick resolution. It is important to work quickly and not let time go by. In these types of cases, evidence fades, memories fade, and the three-year statute of limitations begins to run from the date of the accident for any lawsuit to be filed. A knowledgeable attorney could help with all elements of your case, from collecting evidence to settlement negotiations. Call today to learn about what to do next after a bicycle accident in Ocean Springs.