Bicycle Accident Attorney

Do you know more than 300,000 people were involved in a bicycle-related accident in the US in 2019? Due to its design, bicycle accidents result in severe injuries and can even be fatal. Therefore, anyone who is injured in a crash is entitled to compensation and can file a personal injury claim. When filing a claim, victims will need to provide their bicycle accident attorney with certain important documents.

The paperwork that is presented will help determine the value of the case. Additionally, they will serve as evidence to support the claim. Here are the bicycle accident documents you’ll need when meeting your lawyer.

Law Enforcement Reports

If the police came to the accident scene, then they most likely documented the collision. If they did, it’s important that you get a copy of the police report. The report will be one of the key documents to start building your case.

The police report will include various details about the accident, including:

• Date, time, and location of the crash
• Statements from other parties involved and witnesses
• Details of the crash, including weather conditions, vehicles involved, or property involved
• Drawn diagram of the accident highlighting stoplights, road signage, crosswalks, and other relevant details

The police report will be key to determining the at-fault party and how much damage happened during the accident. Your bicycle accident attorney will use these bicycle accident documents and pursue the leads to get more evidence.

Photos of the Scene

Taking photos and videos of the accident scene will be critical to your case. You’ll need to take pictures of:

• Sustained injuries
• Your bicycle, other involved vehicles, or equipment at the scene
• The road conditions
• Skid marks
• Weather conditions

If you didn’t take any pictures, the insurance representative on the scene might have taken them. If you have the pictures in your possession, give them to the personal injury attorney to strengthen your case. Each photograph will be valuable to your case and shed light on more details about the accident.

Also, if you sustained injuries, take periodic photos of the injuries as you heal. This will track the progress of your recovery and show that you were following a treatment plan. Any costs accrued from medical treatment will be reimbursed in the settlement.

Witness Statements

Other bicycle accident documents include statements from passersbys or other drivers who saw or heard the accident. Also, witnesses involve individuals with pertinent information about the aspects of the accident. This could be from parties involved or those who may explain why the accident happened.

Having a witness write down their observations immediately after the accident is key for several reasons. First, this becomes a written record of accurate details of the accident before the witness forgets them. Also, it prevents the witness from altering their story thereafter.

You can have different sources complete the witness statements. This could be law enforcement agencies, investigating officers, or involved parties. These statements from witnesses will help your attorney get a clear picture by reconstructing the accident scene. Also, they will use them to determine how the accident occurred and who was at fault.

Keep in mind that you’re under no obligation to provide an insurance company with any piece of evidence you have. Providing them with evidence or your statement may weaken your claim. Have an attorney with you before engaging with insurance companies as a precautionary measure.

Medical Reports

After being involved in a bicycle accident, it’s imperative to seek medical attention immediately. This must be done regardless of how minor your injuries appear to be. You may have suffered internal injuries, which could worsen with time to become life-threatening.

Also, seeking medical attention is key to filing and pursuing your personal injury claim. If you didn’t seek any medical attention, it would be hard to even file a claim.

After seeking medical attention, collect all medical reports. These bicycle accident documents include doctor records, prescriptions, emergency room records, or rehabilitation records. These reports include the entire period you’ve been receiving medical attention due to the accident.

Your attorney will need copies of these records to get a clear picture of your diagnosis and the medical expenses incurred. Also, the records will show how the injuries have affected your life and the time they will take to heal.

If you don’t have access to the medical records, provide your attorney with the name and address of any medical care provider you’ve visited. If allowed, your bicycle accident attorney can obtain all the necessary information on your behalf.

Bills Incurred

During the bicycle accident injury claim, you’ll want to be compensated for any loss or expense incurred as a result of the accident. Thus, make sure to keep copies of any bills that arose due to the injuries sustained. This will include not only the direct expenses such as medical bills but also the indirect expenses.

For instance, keep records if you had to incur extra costs to hire someone to drive your kids to school or complete chores around the house. Also, keep copies of receipts if you have to buy gas to make it to the medical appointment.

By providing your attorney with all these documents, they can make an accurate estimation in determining the value of your claim. This ensures you are compensated for any financial loss incurred due to the accident.

Speak With a Bicycle Accident Attorney

A bicycle accident can result in serious and life-altering injuries. If you’re a bicycle accident victim, hire a reputable personal injury attorney to get the deserved justice and compensation. 

Are you looking for a bicycle accident attorney in California? At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, we are here to help. We are a top-rated personal injury law firm ready to fight for your claim and deliver the most favorable legal outcome. Contact us today for a free consultation.