Hurt in a Bicycle Accident? 4 Tips for Building a Strong Case

Cyclists in Las Vegas take on serious risks whenever they hit the road. The city ranks as the 26th most dangerous metro for riders, with hundreds of those in the saddle injured in accidents every year.

If a reckless or negligent driver hurt you, consider filing a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. However, even if it seems clear the motorist was at-fault, you will still need to take several necessary steps to ensure that your case yields a payout.

In this article, we share a few tips that might help strengthen your bicycle accident claim:

1. Deactivate Your Social Media Profiles

With any claim, there’s always a chance that the insurance adjuster will monitor your social media profiles to collect evidence that could be used to challenge your credibility. For instance, if you shared a post detailing the grisly details of the wreck, your comments could be misrepresented or quoted out of context to make it seem like you’re admitting fault for causing the accident.

Alternatively, if you posted pictures of yourself attending a social event or riding your bike a few days after this harrowing encounter, opposing parties may be able to use these snapshots to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you are claiming. Thankfully, you can end your digital worries immediately by deactivating your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram profiles. This temporary hiatus will not only put all your online activity under lock and key but can also remove the ever-present temptation to post.

2. Follow All Medical Advice

If you haven’t visited the doctor yet, you should do so immediately. It’s rare for cyclists to survive accidents unscathed, so even if you feel fine, it’s possible that you suffered an impact injury that hasn’t manifested any major symptoms. Once you’ve received a diagnosis, you should make notes on all of your healthcare provider’s instructions. Following their orders closely will reduce the risks of facing disputes over failure to mitigate damages.

3. Keep Track of Your Damages

A misplaced receipt or invoice could cost you thousands of dollars, so filing away any accident-related documents to share with your legal team is important. In addition to bills for your medical treatments, property repairs, and replacement services, you should also obtain copies of paystubs or tax returns demonstrating the wages you lost because you were unable to work after the wreck.

It may be wise to start logging daily entries in a personal injury journal so that you have records of your pain levels, limitations, and other information about your injuries. Such entries could help you build a case for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

4. Let Your Attorney Oversee Dialogue with Opposing Parties

Whether it’s a recorded interview with the insurer or an email conversation with the driver who struck you, it may be wise to let your attorney handle any dialogue with opposing parties. Ultimately, anything you say in conversation with these individuals or entities could be used as evidence to dispute liability, causation, and damages. As such, handing the reins to your legal team could save you from saying something that inadvertently jeopardizes your case.

Speak to a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Las Vegas Today

If you were struck and injured by a negligent motorist, turn to Maier Gutierrez & Associates for reliable guidance, support, and aggressive representation. Our Las Vegas bicycle accident attorneys can assist with almost every aspect of your case, from helping you navigate proceedings to investigating the wreck on your behalf. Dial 702-629-7900 or jump to our contact page HERE to request a free case evaluation today.

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