The Dos & Don’ts of Building a Bicycle Accident Claim

When cyclists ride alongside moving traffic, they’re incredibly vulnerable. Even if they exercise extreme care, they can’t rely on the passing motorists to do the same. What’s more, they have no protection from forceful impacts. That means in the event of a collision, devastating injuries are all but inevitable.

If you were seriously hurt in a bicycle accident, you’re probably wondering how to hold the at-fault driver liable. The damages are undoubtedly adding up fast, and it’s only natural to want justice.

In order to seek compensation from the liable motorist, you’re going to have to put together a compelling personal injury claim. Should you be wondering what doing so entails, here are a few tips for getting started:

1. Do Save Evidence You Gathered at the Scene

If you managed to document the scene of the crash before leaving the area, store whatever evidence you obtained in the process in a safe place. This might include photos of the wreckage, helmet cam footage, statements from eyewitnesses, and the official police report.

2. Don’t Give a Recorded Statement

If the insurance adjuster asks you to speak on record, it’s best to refrain from doing so. This is especially true if your legal team has not concluded their investigation or if you have yet to reach maximum medical improvement.

Speaking prematurely on what happened or how it’s affected you opens the door for disputes. If you say something that ends up being untrue or otherwise contradicts the details in your claim, the opposing party will have cause to challenge your credibility.

3. Do Start Writing in a Daily Journal

In addition to their monetary losses, like medical expenses and missed paychecks, injured cyclists may seek compensation for nonmonetary losses like pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress.

Since such losses are intangible, though, they’re not accompanied by any documentation. Fortunately, if you start writing about the hurdles you face in a daily journal, you can use the entries to demonstrate the extent of your non-economic damages.

4. Don’t Seek Support on Social Media

While your claim is pending, it’s advisable to lay low on social media. The insurance adjuster is going to be looking for any reason to challenge your claim, and you can be sure they’ll start by monitoring your online activity.

Instead, seek support from your friends and loved ones in person, or at least over the phone. As long as it’s on a private platform, you won’t have to worry about what you share being misconstrued and ultimately used against you.

Call (727) 821-1500 to Discuss Your Case with a Florida Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you were hit by a reckless driver while riding your bike, turn to Emerson Straw to determine how best to proceed. Our tenacious team has more than 70 years of combined experience in legal practice. Call (727) 821-1500 or fill out the Contact Form on our website to schedule a free initial consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer in Florida.