Victims of bicycle accidents have the right to compensation for property damage and bodily injury. However, insurers go to enormous lengths to minimize payouts and deny claims. Certain mistakes can put a person’s rights and recovery in danger, but they are easily avoided. Below are several mistakes to avoid when filing a personal injury claim after a bicycle accident.
Failing to Notify the Authorities
If a person is in a bike accident, they should notify the police right away. A proper investigation can provide witness statements and other information that can help an Accident Attorney in Palestine TX establish another party’s liability for injuries and property damage sustained in an accident.
Not Getting Prompt Medical Treatment
If the victim’s injuries are severe enough to need medical attention, they should go to the nearest emergency room or consult a doctor right away. If the person delays treatment, the insurer may not believe the injuries are as serious as claimed. With medical treatment, the person’s symptoms will be professionally recorded for use in a personal injury case. The client should complete all follow-up treatments to keep themselves healthy and protect their right to compensation.
Not Photographing Injuries
This step is very important. In many cases, an injury claim’s value is dependent upon the injury’s initial appearance, along with the appearances of scars and other disfigurements. A picture is worth a thousand words, and this is especially true with scars, severe injuries, and disfiguring wounds.
Making Statements to the Other Party’s Insurer
The other party’s insurer will typically ask the victim to make a statement, but this is not a good idea. Victim statements are used by insurers to point out discrepancies in that person’s version of events. These can be used by insurers to reduce the compensation amount or deny the claim entirely. A victim should only give a statement to an insurer after consulting an accident attorney in Palestine TX.
The above mistakes can severely damage a victim’s case. Before making statements and after seeking medical treatment, a victim should consult a personal injury lawyer who can explain things in an easy-to-understand way. If a person is injured in a bicycle accident, they should contact us for more information.
