What To Do After a Bicycle Accident in Springfield?

After a bicycle accident in Springfield, get out of the way of additional risk as soon as possible. Then, call 911 for help. Knowing what to do after a bicycle accident in Springfield is critical to protecting yourself and your right to financial compensation later.

In the ideal situation, take these steps after your bicycle accident, including speaking with a Springfield bicycle accident attorney.

Call for Help Immediately

Call 911 right away after the accident if you can do so. You may feel okay right after, but internal injuries are very common. Having a police officer arrive at the scene is beneficial, too. They will document the incident and gather evidence from the accident that can help you build your case later.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

If you can do so, gather as much information and evidence from the scene as you can. Never put your health at risk in these situations, but when possible, take photos of:

• Your injuries
• The cars or other vehicles involved
• Damage to those vehicles
• Debris in the roadway
• The entire surrounding area, including where crosswalks are

In addition, ask that any witnesses at the scene provide you with their name and contact information. Your attorney may be able to contact them to aid in building your claim or getting details to prove fault.

Make sure to get the name and contact number of the at-fault party. This should include the driver’s insurance information. If a passenger was in the vehicle, get that person’s information as well.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Go to the hospital or urgent care right after a bicycle accident in Springfield. You may not know the extent of your injuries just yet. Adrenaline can mask pain and internal injuries.

Tell the hospital what occurred. Allow them to run all necessary tests that can uncover any injuries you have. This is where you want a full-body examination to rule out any undiagnosed injuries.

Follow up with your doctor or specialists as the hospital recommends. If they tell you to stay overnight, do so. These steps help to protect your health and show you are doing everything you can to recover.

Reporting the Accident

If police arrived at the scene of the accident, that typically serves as filing a police report. You should be able to obtain a copy of that report in the days or weeks to come. However, you may need to contact the insurance company of the at-fault party to inform them of the incident.

Do not file a claim. Do not agree to provide any type of information or your medical records. At this point, simply inform them of the accident and let them know that your attorney will contact them.

Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney

Many bicycle accidents cause serious injury and loss. Your lawyer becomes your advocate, working to build your case and claim. Most of the time, your attorney will submit a claim to the at-fault party, negotiate with them, and reach a settlement. If that does not happen, your attorney will pursue a lawsuit within the two-year statute of limitations in Illinois.

By taking aggressive steps to protect yourself and your rights, you minimize the risk of this accident continuing to cause you pain for years to come. Let your attorney help you navigate the process with confidence.