Steps to Take After I Was Hit by a Car in FL While Biking
Only about two percent of motor vehicle accident deaths are among bicyclists. However, Florida is unfortunately ranked number one when it comes to bicycle deaths from motor vehicle accidents across the nation. Of the 783 cyclists that lost their lives in the U.S. in 2017, 125 or 16 percent of them were in Florida. However, knowing what to do in the event of a bicycle crash can help prevent further injuries and even death. After being in an accident, one of the most crucial steps to take is to contact a seasoned Florida car accident attorney.
What To Do If You’ve Been Hit by a Car
Being hit by a motor vehicle while riding your bicycle can be quite a shock. You may be shaken up both mentally and physically. Even still, the steps you take during the moments, hours, and even weeks after your accident can make or break your accident claim. Being careful and taking the proper steps can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Call for Help
If you are able, call 911. If you aren’t, ask someone else to do so for you. Even if you don’t feel hurt, it’s a good idea to have the EMTs check you over. If they don’t recommend you go to the hospital, it’s still crucial to be examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
You will also want the police there so that you can make an official report and statement to them about your version of the events leading up to the accident and the accident itself. The crash report is often a valuable piece of evidence when it comes to managing injury claims.
Keep Conversation to a Minimum
Now is not the time to speak to everyone around. The more you say, the more the driver’s insurance company could find to use against you in the claim. For example, if you say, “the car came out of nowhere,” the insurance company could use it to assert that you weren’t paying attention right before the accident.
Get Witness Information
Get the names and contact information of anyone who might have witnessed the accident—including other drivers, their passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists. You can give this information to your Florida car accident lawyer, who will contact them to get their account of what occurred. If you aren’t physically able to get witness information at the scene, see if someone can do it on your behalf.
Call an Experienced Florida Car Accident Attorney
Once you are medically stable, the next step is to call an experienced Florida car accident lawyer. You could be owed financial compensation for your injuries and damages, and the best way to find out is to speak with one. At Matthews Personal Injury Law, we stand up for victims of bicycle crashes. Our experienced Florida car accident attorneys know what it takes to win your case. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about our services.