Getting involved in an accident can be very traumatic. It is an exhausting experience, one that comes with life-changing consequences.
Car accidents happen every day, but they do not always involve two motor vehicle. Sometimes, they involve pedestrians or bicyclists. The procedure is usually the same: once you get involved in an accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages and injuries.
Before you speak with the insurance adjusters, there are a few things that you should do to protect your rights and increase your chances of success in obtaining the compensation that you seek.
Here are the basic things that you should do right after the accident and before talking with the insurance adjusters.
Call the Police
Regardless of what type of accident you were in or who caused it, the first thing you should always do is call the police. They will arrive with the ambulance, and if you or anyone in your vehicle received injuries, you will be taken care of.
There are several reasons why it is important to call the police right away:
- They will write a report of what happened and how the accident came to be
- They will help protect your legal rights
- They will call an ambulance
- They will take all the evidence that you may miss at the time (photos of the accident, names, information about the parties involved, and witnesses)
You can later ask for a copy of a police report and use it as evidence supporting your claim. If you got hit by a negligent driver and were involved in a bicycle accident, contact San Diego Bicycle Accident Lawyers and schedule an initial consultation to discuss your options.
Call Your Insurance Company
It does not matter who caused the accident, you have to start thinking about vehicle repairs and your insurance policy may help by providing you with certain benefits that will help you until your case is resolved. Even in cases where the other driver was clearly at fault, their insurance company may stall the case and try and drag things out for several months. It may take up to a year before you see a single dollar. With that in mind, you may want to contact your own insurance company right away.
Contact Your Attorney
Finally, before speaking with the insurance adjusters, make a phone call. Get in touch with your attorney, assuming that you have one on speed dial. If not, feel free to call our San Diego law office and reach out to an available Bicycle Accident Attorney. We will provide you with one who will immediately act and come to your aid.
San Diego attorneys can help protect your legal rights and negotiate the settlement with the insurance adjusters, ensuring that you are offered a “fair deal” and a fair settlement. Since you most likely do not know your rights, a good attorney can help guide you and protect your rights. Nothing can replace an experienced attorney.
