Need an Injury Attorney for a North Carolina Bicycle Accident?
Did you know that, on average, about 960 bicyclists are hit every year in North Carolina? This led to 22 fatalities every year. Half of these fatal crashes occur in the coastal parts of the state. With many bicyclists being injured or killed every year in North Carolina, it is realized that there is a growing problem that isn’t getting better with time. Across the U.S., every year thousands of people end up in emergency rooms due to injuries related to these serious accidents. You may wonder what to do if you have been injured in a bicycle accident. You have options!
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
When you have been injured in a bicycle accident, there are many steps you can take to preserve your case and receive compensation in the future, as well as stay safe in a desperate time. Here are some steps that every rider should take in this scenario:
- Make sure that you remove your bicycle and yourself from the roadways, if possible. You want to avoid any other accidents and damages that could result.
- Make sure to collect personal and contact information from all drivers and passengers in the accident, as well as witnesses who may have seen the accident happen firsthand.
- Capture the license plate number from the responsible driver.
- Never negotiate with the driver in your accident, which includes taking blame for the accident.
- Call the police as soon as possible, as they will be able to make a police report in your case. This could be vital when you are attempting to receive compensation later on.
- Always receive medical attention after your accident, especially when serious injuries have resulted. You will need good documentation to back up your injuries and treatment so you can compensate later.
Always follow these steps after you have been injured. You may think that you have not received serious injuries and do not need medical attention, but you don’t want to put it off and wind up not being able to recover later on. Always be prepared for anything that could happen in your case.
When You Have Received Serious Injuries
Serious injuries stem from bicycle accidents every year in the U.S. One of the most common types of accidents is head injuries. Statistics show that close to half of all cyclists involved in accidents have led to some type of head injury, which can have devastating and permanent injuries. These injuries could have a lasting effect on the rest of your life and cause you physical pain and cognitive issues, which could make it difficult when returning to work. Some other common injuries in these cases include dental fractures, eye injuries, facial contusions, fractured bones, dislocated joints, and road rash if you are thrown from your bicycle.
Has Driver Negligence Played a Role in Your Case?
If you are a cyclist who has been injured in an accident caused by another driver, you may wonder how negligence plays a role in your case. Drivers act negligently when they ignore bicyclists traveling on or alongside the roadways, breaching the duty of care that they owe to others who share the roads. Some of these common accidents involve speeding, driving under the influence, and ignoring traffic signs. If you have been injured, you must show that a driver has acted negligently and it led to your injuries.
After an accident, it is always important to call the police as well as receive medical treatment for your injuries. You have every right to compensation if a party has acted negligently and you have received serious and lasting injuries. Seek legal advice from an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Your case is vital.