Nearly 80 million bicyclists in the U.S. share the road with motorized vehicles, according to the National Safety Council, and you may ride your bike regularly to commute, for exercise or to get around town. Although riding your bike is an excellent form of transportation and exercise, many drivers are careless and fail to safely share the road.
If you sustained injuries in a bike accident involving a motor vehicle, you may not be able to go back to work or struggle to perform regular daily tasks. Protect your interests in the days and weeks following the accident by avoiding the following mistakes.
- Not seeking immediate medical care
After the bike accident, it is essential that you seek medical assistance from a physician. Even if you do not require emergency medical care, you should still see your doctor to ensure you receive care for any hidden injuries and any injuries that may develop later.
- Failing to follow your doctor’s instructions
Your doctor may prescribe certain medications or regimens of care, like seeing a physical therapist, that you should follow after the crash. If you do not abide by these instructions, you put your recovery and long-term well-being at risk.
- Not documenting your recovery process
Compiling records of your medical care, daily progress and expenses incurred due to missing work or school can help quantify the level of pain and suffering you endured because of the bike accident. If you fail to diligently record and collect this information, you may not receive full compensation for your injuries and emotional suffering.
- Admitting fault
Following the accident, the opposing insurance company may try to contact you to obtain a statement about how the collision happened. Admitting fault during one of these conversations could put your case a risk. Never admit that you were at fault for the accident to the opposing insurer, law enforcement or the driver involved in the bicycle accident.
