If you were hit by a car while out riding your bicycle, you might be thinking about seeking financial compensation from the person who hit you. Here are four things you can do to increase your chances of success.
Call the Police
While you may have gotten the driver's insurance information after your accident, you may not have thought to call the police. You can still report your accident to the police in the days after your bike accident, and you should do so. Calling the police will help you start a paper trail right away and provide a detailed account of what happened. That will help your case.
Don't Talk to the Insurance Company
A lot of people answer the phone when the other party's insurance company calls, and you may think it is your responsibility to answer their questions, but the truth is that you don't have to talk to them at all. In fact, it is better if you consult a personal injury attorney and let them handle that correspondence for you. Why?
For one thing, the insurance company will try to use your own statements against you. They are trying to find reasons why they should not pay any kind of settlement, and if you aren't careful, your words can help them. They may also send you documents to sign, but before you sign anything, you should have a competent lawyer examine them to ensure that you are protecting yourself. You should also refrain from accepting any settlement account from the driver's insurance company until you talk to a lawyer.
Keep the Bicycle
If your bike was damaged in the accident, you may be inclined to dispose of it because you can no longer use it. However, your bicycle can be used as evidence so it's a good idea to hold on to it until your case is settled.
Take Care of Your Health
If you're not careful, you can become consumed trying to build your case against the person who hit you. This can be risky, because you need to be sure that you are following all of your doctor's orders about how best to heal from your injuries. If you don't, not only will you take longer to heal, but if you are up and about too soon you might weaken your own case; the other side can say that your injuries aren't as serious as you claim.
Use the information above to help you increase your chances of getting compensation from the driver who hit you. Make sure to talk to your lawyer about other ways to build a strong case.
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