The City of Pooler is experiencing rapid growth, with incoming residents seeking new outdoor activities and commuting options, including cycling. The increase in the number of bike riders, however, has led to an increase in bicycle accidents.
The actions you take after a bicycle crash can affect your ability to recover compensation from the party that caused your accident. To help you improve your recovery odds, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Chattahoochee Injury Law have prepared this guide on what to do after a bicycle accident in Pooler.
Your #1 Priority After a Bicycle Accident Is Always Your Health and Safety
If your bicycle accident happened on a busy Pooler road, move yourself and your bike to a safe location away from traffic. Then, the most important thing to do is to get emergency treatment for your injuries, either by calling 911 or going to an emergency room.
Even if your injuries are minor, get checked by a physician no later than 24 hours after the crash. This will create a record of your injuries at the time of the accident, which will be important when you seek compensation for the losses and harm you suffered. Also, be sure to follow any recommendations the physician might make.
Gather Information and Evidence About Your Bicycle Accident
If you are confused about what to do after a bicycle collision in Pooler, think about what you would do after a car crash:
- Exchange contact and insurance information with motorists and other people involved in the accident
- Get contact information from eyewitnesses
- Take photographs of the accident scene and damaged vehicles and property
- File a report with the local police or sheriff
- Write down as much information as you can remember about the accident, including the time of day, weather and traffic conditions, and roughly how fast each vehicle and your bike were moving
- Do not admit or suggest that you were responsible or at fault for causing the accident
- Do not discard or repair your bicycle or any damaged property or clothing
- Consult with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer to determine if you can recover compensation for your losses and injuries.
Be Careful When You Talk to Insurance Companies
Although you should report your Pooler bicycle accident to your own liability insurance company, do not agree to an interview with insurance claims adjusters from any companies that represent the driver or other parties that caused the crash. Those adjusters invariably attempt to deflect blame for the accident from their clients. Under Georgia’s comparative negligence law, if they can prove you were than 50 percent at fault for causing the accident, you will lose your right to be reimbursed for your losses.
The safer thing to do after your accident is to hire a local bicycle injury lawyer who will protect your rights and negotiate directly with the other parties’ insurers. When you tell an insurer that you have legal representation, that insurance company must then communicate only with your lawyer.
Our Pooler Attorneys Can Help You Take the Right Steps After a Bike Crash
Georgia attorney Benjamin Clary formed Chattahoochee Injury Law to protect the rights and interests of people who have been harmed as a result of someone else’s negligence. For injured cyclists in Savannah’s growing western suburb, that protection begins with knowing what to do after a bicycle accident in Pooler and concludes when they collect the compensation they need and deserve.
Please call our offices at any time for more information about what to do after a bike wreck or to schedule a free consultation with our professional legal team.