If lucky enough to live in scenic Santa Ana, you know that riding a bicycle to avoid the notoriously busy Southern California roadways or for exercise, riding a bike can be dangerous. In the blink of an eye, a driver’s negligence can cause a collision that leaves the bicyclist with massive injuries. From head, neck and back injuries to broken bones, the devastation resulting from a bicycle accident can be quite overwhelming. Knowing what to do in the moments, weeks and months following an accident is crucial.
The agitation and confusion following a collision with a motor vehicle can leave a bicyclist worried and unsure of the next steps. You are likely to see damage to your bicycle and feel pain. Regardless of your pain level or immediate assessment of your injuries, your first step should be to call the local Santa Ana police, even if you do not feel injured right away. Filing a report and reporting damages is essential, especially because your injuries and pain may grow more severe over time. As you wait for the police, begin to document the accident with photos and notes if you are capable.
Once the Santa Ana police have arrived, be sure to speak with them directly. You want your story written down and you need the police to acknowledge your injuries and include them in the police report. This is also the time to gather the contact information of witnesses and the driver involved with the accident.
If possible, call your personal injury lawyer immediately. Write down everything you remember about the accident, including injuries, dates and times. Your memory of the events is sharpest immediately following the accident.
Our experienced attorneys at Duque Law Group may recommend that you seek medical attention as evidence of the damage caused. Documenting your injuries, no matter how small you think they are, is a vital step.
Preserve as much physical evidence as possible. Resist the temptation to fix your bike; leave it in the same condition as it was when you left the accident. If you have any other damaged property from the accident (including a helmet or clothing), keep that available as well as our attorneys may request photos of the pieces.
By this time, you will likely have met with your attorney and discussed the accident and which circumstances will allow you to earn the compensation that you deserve.
If you are contacted by an insurance company, direct them to your attorney to discuss the issue. Your attorney may wish to hire an independent expert to step in and analyze the situation before you communicate with insurance agents.
Personal injury cases are difficult and require a skilled attorney. Do not try to take on the insurance company lawyers by yourself. The Santa Ana lawyers at Duque Law Group want to get to the bottom of the case and help you receive any compensation for injuries, damage or pain and suffering that you may deserve.
Be sure to bring all evidence to your consultation, including photographs of the damages to your person and property, as well as any medical documentation if you have that.
Contact our Santa Ana Personal Injury Attorney at 1-877-241-9554 to learn more about your legal options. A free consultation is just a phone call away. You can even use our online contact form, and we’ll reply to you quickly.
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