Need an Injury Attorney for a Washington Bicycle Accident?
Many bicycle riders in Washington do it for the health benefits because there is nothing better than getting some fresh air on your bike. Many others use bicycling as a transportation method to and from work, or to visit family because it’s a fun thing to do. In 2007, Washington State was listed 11th as the state with the least amount of bicycle-related injuries. While this is wonderful news for the state, accidents still took place and they could have just as easily been prevented. There were many common causes of these accidents, such as attempting to cross a roadway or speeding by the other driver. Bicycle riders must be prepared for anything when it comes to riding a bike because you never know when an untrustworthy driver will act negligently and cause you to become seriously injured. What can you do when you have been injured in a serious bicycle accident?
After a Bike Accident
When you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you want to be prepared for everything. This means that you should know some things about what must take place after an accident. Here are some ways to help yourself and preserve your case:
- Ensure that you and the bicycle are cleared from the scene so that you are not further injured. If another accident happens, you could risk your life.
- Record contact information from every party at the scene, which includes all drivers, passengers, and witnesses.
- Capture the license plate number from the responsible driver. You should try to collect the license plate number in any case, even if it’s a hit and run. These cases make it much more difficult to do so.
- Never try to negotiate with the driver or take the blame for the accident, because it could destroy your chance of compensating.
- Call the police so that they can take a closer look at the accident scene, assess all parties, and make a police report based on what they see.
- Receive medical attention immediately, and keep track of all your bills related to the treatment because these could play a useful role in the months to come as you make your case.
Injuries in Bike Accidents
What are some of the most common injuries that you see with bicycle accidents? At the top of this list are head injuries, with many people not wearing helmets when they are involved in an accident. In fact, 47% of people will receive a head injury when they are involved in a bicycle accident, which puts this one at the top of the list. Other common types of injuries include minor to disabling injuries like fractures to the mouth and jaw, facial contusions and scrapes, fractured bones, dislocated joints, and road rash when you are thrown from your bicycle.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, there is a good chance that the driver in your accident was not looking out for your best interests. In these cases, a driver could be considered negligent depending on how the accident occurred. You want to have an attorney on your side to help you compensate after you have suffered serious injuries and need our help.