For a lot of people, cycling is a therapeutic activity. Navigating a Portland road with your bicycle allows you to enjoy the scenery and weather as well as lets you work your muscles and improve body circulation. But, in a lot of situations, cycling can lead to a serious accident or even death. The reason is that bicycles don’t to give riders exterior protection from impacts. Due to your exposure to many injuries, you must do after an accident. These include the following:
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Contacting the Authorities
After an accident, you may feel shocked, overwhelmed, and confused. You must contact the authorities as soon as possible. Get yourself to safety first. The shock from the crash can make you think you are fine and that you don’t have to see a doctor. But, because of the adrenaline, you may not experience symptoms from the accident immediately. By calling 911, emergency personnel will arrive at the accident scene and transport you to a hospital.
Moreover, contacting the authorities is helpful when you file an insurance claim. The police will create an accident report that you can send to the insurance company. Also, this report will serve as documentation of your accident’s details. Recovering compensation can be much easier if you have this report.
Calling the Insurance Company
If your accident resulted from another party’s negligence, you may have a legal claim for compensation. A Portland bicycle accident attorney can contact the insurance company of the at-fault party for you. But, you should expect to get a call from the company itself. When this happens, provide only basic information. You should let your lawyer handle communications with the insurance company to avoid saying something that can hurt your claim.
Documenting Everything and Preserve Things
Your Portland lawyer can collect any evidence from the accident scene. If possible, take photos or videos of the scene, the vehicles involved, road conditions, and the people who were at the scene. Also, keep track of your medical bills including follow-up checkups in the days or weeks after the collision. By documenting your medical expenses that arise out of the crash, your attorney can more easily determine your total damages.
Moreover, you must also preserve everything as is. For instance, do not get your bicycle fixed before the insurance carrier or the police have inspected it. Your lawyer should be able to advise you on what you should and should not do after the accident.
