If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Pinellas County that wasn’t your fault, you can file a personal injury claim to recover monetary damages for the injuries and losses you’ve suffered. Whether you were hit by a car, a truck or any other vehicle, you deserve to be compensated. Filing a bike injury claim is, however, is a complicated task and we urge you to not overlook any of the steps below. There were 578 bicycle accidents in Pinellas County last year, with 554 injury victims. We welcome you to contact our Pinellas County Bicycle Accident lawyers today for a free consultation.

1.Contact Police

Call the police immediately after your accident to file a report of the bike accident. The police report is essential in every personal injury claim. The law enforcement officer will collect information from those involved and any witnesses as well as document the accident scene. From the 578 bicycle accidents in Pinellas County last year, 71% were investigated by the Local Police Department, 12% by the Sheriff Department and 16% by the Florida Highway Patrol.

2. Get a Police Report

You should ask for a copy of the police report from the officer at the scene. If you didn’t, you should contact the police and ask for one. Our Pinellas County bicycle accident attorneys can do this on your behalf, and fast.

3. Document the Bike Accident Scene

If you can, document the accident scene with photos of:

• The road conditions
• The vehicles involved
• The license plates
• Damage to any property or physical objects
• Any tire marks on the road
• Your bicycle
• Your helmet
• Your injuries

Take notes of what happened, including the time of day, weather conditions and any other details you may recall.

4. Seek Medical Treatment

Your health should always be your priority – immediately seek medical attention for injuries or pains. This is also critical to establishing the link between the accident and your injuries. You may also find that symptoms arise in the days or even weeks after the accident (for example, this is common with brain injuries). If you notice any symptoms, visit a doctor immediately as a traumatic brain injury can be fatal. We understand that many victims are concerned about the price of medical treatment, but that is something you can recover through a successful personal injury claim. Read Related: What Are the Signs of Brain Damage After an Accident?

5. Do NOT Admit Fault

It is a common mistake for bicycle accident victims in Pinellas County to admit fault, either to the other party, the police or their insurance provider. Do not admit fault. Even if you believe you made a mistake on your bicycle, the reality may be different to what you remember. Our investigations will reveal the true cause of your accident, using CCTV footage, dash cam, witness statements and other evidence. If you admit fault, you surrender the chance to gain compensation as your insurer will always use it against you during negotiations.

6. Contact a Pinellas County Bicycle Accident Lawyer ASAP

It’s highly recommended that you contact a Pinellas County bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our team works on a no fee unless we win basis. So you won’t have any upfront costs. We can help you:

• Prepare your personal injury claim
• Collect critical evidence
• Communicate with your insurance provider
• Collect additional evidence or statements regarding your accident
• Calculate the true value of your injuries and damages
• Negotiate with the insurance company
• Prevent bad-faith tactics and manipulation
• Maximize your monetary settlement

7. Collect Evidence of Your Injuries and Medical Bills

In a personal injury claim, you will want to recover damages related to injuries and medical bills. To do so, you will need supporting evidence. From day one, ensure you are collecting and safely storing:

• Doctor’s notes
• Hospital reports
• Other medical records
• Medical bills
• Medication receipts
• Photographs of injuries
• X-Rays
• MRIs
• CT Scans

Read Related: Road Rash After a Florida Accident

8. Keep Your Bicycle

We advise you against repairing or disposing of your bicycle and helmet until after your case has been settled. Your bicycle can be critical evidence in your personal injury claim as it is irrefutable evidence of your accident and where the other vehicle hit you. The same is true for your helmet, as severe scratches and cracks show your head hit the ground.

9. Store Any GoPro or GPS Evidence

Many bicyclists in Pinellas County use GoPros (or other cameras) on their helmets, for moments just like this. If you did, well done as this can be of great use in your personal injury claim. But we urge you to back up the data on a hard drive or cloud, to prevent it from going missing by accident or through data corruption. The same is true for any GPS data you may have, such as on a speedometer or your cellphone’s exercise apps.

10. Do Not Sign Adjuster Forms or Accept Lowball Offers

It is likely that your insurance adjuster will ask you to sign a form to give up your rights or offer you a lowball settlement fee. Do not accept these without first consulting a Pinellas County bicycle accident attorney. Even if you feel like it is a nice settlement offer, you may be able to earn far more with the support of a legal professional who can prove the true value of your damages.

Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Pinellas County, FL

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Pinellas County, Florida, through no fault of your own, our Bicycle Accident Personal Injury Lawyers can help you win the maximum possible settlement for your damages. Our award-winning attorneys have vast experience helping people like you build a link between their accident and injuries, so they receive the maximum financial recovery.

Contact us today for a free consultation.