Hiring A Bike Accident Attorney

An accident is every cyclist’s worst nightmare, but they happen every day. The negligence of drivers and even pedestrians and others around you can lead to serious bodily injury and damaged property.
You know the first thing to do after an accident is to seek medical help, but what is next?

Do I Need A Bike Accident Attorney?

Hiring a bike accident attorney is essential to getting you the compensation you deserve. Here are the steps you need to follow in order to get help and get back on your feet as soon as possible after a bike accident.

What To Do After A Bike Accident

Whether it seems as simple as a bruise or as serious as a concussion, getting medical attention right away should always be your first priority following an accident of any sort. This is an essential step that will ensure your health is protected, and it is even more critical when you consider that many serious injuries could take days or even weeks to show symptoms.
By getting immediate medical attention, your health care providers will be able to document any signs of injury and diagnose them that much quicker. This means faster and more effective treatment for any injuries you have sustained, and it will help get you back on the road to better health sooner.

#1 Get An Examination Right Away

Do not “wait it out” or see if symptoms arise before you seek treatment. Your first stop after the accident should be an urgent care center, emergency room, or (at the very least) your regular doctor’s office. Let them know what happened and ensure you’re admitted for a full examination to check for injuries.
Did I seek medical attention right away? Regardless of your injuries, if the answer to this question is no, you are that much less likely to win your case. Of course, if your injuries are extensive and you did seek medical attention eventually, you still have a chance of getting the compensation you deserve.

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#2 Ask for Advice & Feedback

At the end of your initial visit, the doctor may or may not be able to diagnose you with any particular injury. If you are in pain, they may subscribe pain medication or an antibiotic for physical injuries that need to heal. Following this visit, you should ask them what symptoms, if any, you should be on the lookout for in the coming days or weeks.
Did I have to return to the doctor? Having to return to the doctor for a follow-up visit and/or for new symptoms likely denotes more serious injuries and means you have further grounds for compensation. The additional medical documentation will also work in your favor.

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#3 Watch for New Symptoms

In the days and weeks following the accident, you should be considering your behavior and feelings carefully as you check for new symptoms that could be a sign of a more serious injury. Whether it is pain in your head, neck, or shoulders or a migraine that won’t go away, any change in your health or how you feel should be addressed by a doctor as soon as you realize it.
Was a treatment plan created for me? If your doctor took the time to draw up a treatment plan, which may include anything from a pill regime to physical therapy, your injuries have already been substantiated and you are very much deserving of compensation for your time, pain, and money spent on treatment.

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#4 Return for a Check-Up

At the arrival of any new symptoms, you should go back to your doctor right away and inform them of it. This is important for two reasons: First and foremost, it will help them diagnose any injuries and help you get treatment. Secondly, your new symptoms and any injuries connected to them will be documented ASAP, which is essential for getting compensation later on.
Did I miss work as a result of the accident? If you had to miss work due to the accident, you could be entitled to lost wages compensation, whether the accident itself delayed you or if you had to miss work for your medical visit(s) and/or treatment.

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#5 Keep All Documentation

Whether your injuries seem serious or minor, major medical bills can arise from even the simplest of accidents. Between making sure your health is in check to potentially missing work to make appointments, an accident can really throw you for a loop. This is why you need to keep documentation of every visit, all doctor’s notes/recommendations, and a thorough account of your symptoms after the accident.
Am I now less able/unable to work? If the accident led to you being unable to fully fulfill your job duties and has resulted in a demotion, delayed return, or job loss, you are definitely entitled to compensation for that as well.

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#6 Take Notes on Loss

The financial burden of an accident is by far the easiest way to prove your loss and get compensation. In other words, you need to be keeping track of all medical costs associated with the accident along with the cost of your damaged property. You should also carefully track any hours you may have lost at work because of this accident or because of treatment resulting from the accident.
Has my quality of life diminished? Whether temporary or permanent, if an accident has diminished your quality of life due to physical or mental injury, you could be entitled to compensation for this as well.

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Seeking Compensation

Getting the compensation you deserve starts with having the right medical representation on your side. At Smiley Injury Law, we are a full-service personal injury law firm with a team of caring professionals ready to assist you in getting covered for your injuries.
If you have been the victim of a bicycle accident, do not delay help. Seek medical attention immediately and then reach out to our team for assistance with collecting documentation, estimating the total loss, and getting the compensation you deserve to get back on your feet again.
A bike accident can throw you for a loop. Don’t allow this accident to put a financial strain on you or your family at no fault of your own. By seeking compensation, you can get covered for the cost of medical care, treatment, and any wages you may have lost as a result of this occurrence.
Smiley Injury Law will be by your side every step of the way. Reach out to us today and get back to smiling again.

Learn More From Smiley Law Firm’s Injury Blog

Here at Smiley Law Firm, we write about the topic of bicycle accidents extensively. As personal injury attorneys, we believe in educating our clients and the public with the most up to date information available. We have a number of blogs and articles covering the following topics. Please read them and leave comments if you find the information helpful.