3 Steps You Should Take After Being in a Bicycle Accident

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Being in a bicycle accident can be a frightening experience. After the initial shock, it is important to take some steps to ensure your safety and to get the compensation you deserve. Here are steps you should take after being in a bicycle accident.

Get An Attorney

If the accident is such that the other party is at fault, it is imperative that you speak with a lawyer. This is because you’ll need to file a personal injury suit, and when you hire a lawyer you can get the best compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. A personal injury claim is a legal action brought by an individual who has been injured as a result of the negligence or intentional act of another person, company, or entity. Here are qualities to look out for when choosing a lawyer:

Experience 

Experience is key when it comes to personal injury law. Make sure to choose a lawyer who has a lot of experience dealing with bicycle accidents and knows the ins and outs of the legal system.

You’ll want to consider the lawyer’s track record. Have they been able to secure large settlements for their clients in the past? Have they won their cases?

Cost

Don’t hire a lawyer just because they are the cheapest one. Cheap isn’t always better.  You should also know the fee structures of lawyers.

Some lawyers take an hourly fee, which means that you will be charged for every hour they work on your case. Other lawyers take a contingency fee, which means that the lawyer only gets paid if they win your case. This can be a good option for people who don’t have a lot of money because the lawyer doesn’t get paid unless you win. Then there’s the flat fee option, which means that you will be charged a set fee for the lawyer’s services. 

Availability

Make sure that the lawyer is available to take your call and give you quick feedback on your case. You should also ask them if they will be available for all hearings, meetings, etc. If they aren’t available, it may be difficult to get in touch with them when you need them the most.

Get Medical Treatment

It is important to seek medical treatment after a bicycle accident, even if you don’t think you are injured. Many times, injuries don’t show up right away and can worsen over time. Some of the most common injuries from bicycle accidents include:

Head injuries

Head injuries are very common in bicycle accidents. The most serious head injury is a concussion, which can cause long-term damage if not treated properly. Other head injuries include skull fractures and brain injuries.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should go to the hospital immediately: a headache that does not go away, vomiting more than once, dizziness or loss of balance, difficulty speaking or understanding others, weakness or numbness in any part of the body.

Neck injuries

Neck injuries are also common in bicycle accidents. They can range from a mild strain to a high-impact injury which can cause damage to the spinal cord. Some of the symptoms of a neck injury include pain in the neck, shoulder, or back, difficulty moving your neck, tingling sensations in your arms or hands.

Back injuries

Back injuries are also common in bicycle accidents. They can range from lower back strains to herniated disks. Some of the symptoms of a back injury include pain in your lower, middle, or upper back; trouble walking without assistance; shooting pain down your legs.

spinal back pain

Broken bones

Bones are often broken after a bicycle accident due to the impact of the crash. A broken bone can take weeks or even months to heal properly. Some of the most common broken bones include fractures of the pelvis, femur, and tibia, dislocations of the shoulder, elbow, and hip.

Skin injuries

Skin injuries from bicycle accidents are also common. The most serious skin injury is a road rash, which can cause infection if not treated properly. Other skin injuries include bruises, scrapes and cuts, burns from friction, and lacerations from the impact of the crash.

Go To Therapy

Bicycle accidents can be extremely traumatic, even if you are not injured. A bicycle accident often leads to emotional issues such as anxiety and depression due to the shock of the event.

It is important to address these emotional issues in order to fully recover from a bicycle accident. This is why a therapist or counselor is often recommended for people who have been in bicycle accidents. If you feel like you need to see a therapist, make sure that they help people with your specific issues and can work with cyclists.

Being in a bicycle accident can be a tough experience. The effects of the accident can range from mild to severe and should always be taken seriously. By taking these 3 steps after being in a bicycle accident, you can recover from the accident.