If you’ve suffered a bike accident, there are many ways to make a claim to recover damages. These include gathering information from witnesses, filing a Notice of Claim, and seeking a police report. However, there are legal pitfalls to watch out for.
Get a police report
If you’ve been in a bicycle crash, there are several steps you’ll need to take. One of the first things you should do is file a police report. This will help you to gain compensation for your injuries. You can also help prevent future accidents by reporting them.
Before you can request a police report, you’ll need to know the following details. The information you gather will include the date and location of the accident, the names and contact numbers of people involved, and the damage and injuries.
You’ll also need to have the name, address, and license plate number of the driver. You can ask the driver for these details, but if they refuse, get a description of the vehicle.
Your insurance company will want to see a copy of the police report. They may dispute your claim if they don’t agree with the findings of the officer.
Gather witnesses’ contact information
There are many reasons to gather witnesses’ contact information after a bike accident. It can prove very useful in determining fault and in building a strong case.
For example, a witness may have seen a driver get intoxicated. They may also have seen a driver fail to signal in time. If the other driver fails to use the turn signal, he or she could be in violation of the law.
Some witnesses may be willing to sign a sworn statement to explain the event. This is an ideal way to gather information. However, a witness may decide that he or she does not want to speak with an investigating officer.
Another option is to canvas the area around the crash site to see if any witnesses will be willing to speak with you. Make sure that the people you speak with are polite and are willing to give you their contact information.
File a Notice of Claim
If you’ve been in a bike accident, you may be able to recover for injuries, pain and suffering. But first, you’ll need to file a Notice of Claim. This is a legal document that you’ll need to file to ensure that you receive your benefits and that the other party can’t try to dispute your claim.
The Notice of Claim must be filed with the appropriate agency within 90 days of the incident. Depending on the agency, you may be required to serve a notice of claim upon the other parties involved.
The notice of claim should contain specific information about the accident. You should also keep copies of any correspondence and paperwork. Your claim number should be included in all communications.
To obtain a copy of the report, you will need to fill out a form and pay a fee. Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll be given a claim number.
Recover damages
If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, you may be entitled to compensation. These damages range from medical bills to pain and suffering. It’s important to talk to a bicycle injury attorney to find out what you can expect.
Pain and suffering is a form of non-economic damage, which compensates victims for mental or emotional distress. In addition, it can also be used to pay for long-term health consequences. The amount of damages you can recover depends on how serious the injuries were and whether or not the driver was at fault.
Damages can also include property damage and lost wages. When you’re injured in a bike crash, you may miss work and have to take time off from work. This can be difficult to handle. However, you can receive compensation for the wages you missed.
Avoid legal pitfalls
It’s no secret that a bicycle is the preferred mode of transportation for millions of Americans. That said, cyclists should be cautious at all times. The following list of bike safety tips should help keep you and your fellow riders safe. Getting into an accident is not a walk in the park, and a few simple precautions can go a long way towards helping you avoid a major setback.
The most important rule of thumb is to stay in your lane. Bicyclists should obey traffic signals, and make sure to give other road users the benefit of the doubt. Motorists should also be aware of what’s in front of them at all times. Pedestrians, in particular, should take care not to run into the back of your bike – and vice versa.
