Cycling isn’t just a pastime. For many, it’s a way of life and a way to get around. A crash can be devastating on many levels. It can leave you with severe injuries and serious financial consequences.
If you were in a crash and your bike was damaged or destroyed, your first instinct might be to get it fixed as soon as possible. But your bike is an important piece of evidence in helping you recover the full compensation you deserve. Before you get it fixed, consult with an experienced bike accident attorney like the team at Brazil Sweeney Law Group in Minneapolis. As avid cyclists and advocates for cyclists, we understand the unique issues you face and can walk you through the steps to take after a bike crash.
Steps to Take following an Accident Where Your Bike Was Damaged or Destroyed
The moments following a bike crash can be disorienting to say the least, but they could be crucial to a personal injury case. If you are able, we encourage you to follow these steps after a crash that’s damaged or destroyed your bicycle to ensure you’re prepared for any potential legal action and to protect your financial well-being.
1. Call police and report the accident.
You will want to make sure there is an official report of what happened in the event that you to make an injury claim or damaged property claim. It’s also important get emergency medical assistance to the scene as soon as possible to help anyone who was severely injured.
2. Seek medical attention for your injuries.
If your bike was damaged, there’s a good chance you were also injured in the accident even if you don’t immediately feel or see any injuries. Getting examined by a medical professional will also provide you with evidence of how serious your injuries are and how long it may take you to recover from them.
3. Gather evidence and document damage.
Write down the name, address, telephone number and insurance information of the driver involved, as well as contact information for witnesses to the crash. Take pictures of the damaged or destroyed bike, any other property that was damaged and the scene of the accident.
4. Contact your insurance company.
It’s important that your report the incident to your insurance provider as soon as you can. This allows them to investigate the accident, determine the extent of damages and process your claim so you can receive the compensation you deserve. Just be sure to stick to the facts and never admit to any fault.
5. Don’t fix your bike until you talk to a lawyer.
At any point after a bike accident, you can reach out to lawyer for assistance. An experienced bike accident attorney can guide you through this process in more detail and answer any and all questions you may have. But your damaged bike, helmet or any of your damaged property from the crash is evidence in your case. We strongly recommend you don’t make any changes to your bike or other damaged items until you’ve taken pictures, documented all the damage and consulted with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in bike crashes.
6. Record all expenses.
Once you do get your bike fixed, make sure you record all your bike expenses, as well as any medical expenses you’ve accrued along the way.
Call Our Minneapolis Bicycle Accident Attorneys
The experience personal injury attorneys at Brazil Sweeney Law Group understand the unique issues faced by cyclists and are here to advocate for you and your rights. If you’ve been involved in a bike crash and your bike was damaged or destroyed, we can help you get the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced bicycle accident lawyers for a free, no-obligation case review. There’s no fee unless we win.