Mission Viejo Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Mission Viejo Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Orange County certainly has a reputation for being a safe place to commute by bicycle. Unfortunately, all it takes is one negligent driver to cause a devastating crash that results in life-changing injuries. Our bicycle accident attorneys in Mission Viejo understand the trauma faced by people who are involved in these collisions as well as their loved ones. We are ready to help you and your family fight for the full compensation you deserve. Winning a fair settlement in these cases often involves an uphill legal battle. The insurance adjuster might invest a considerable amount of time and resources into finding reasons to dispute your claim. This is especially true if your injuries are serious or a member of your family was killed in the accident. Our legal team can serve as your aggressive legal advocate, doing everything in their power to help you obtain the highest compensation possible. We will come to you if you are unable to come to us. For a free consultation, dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS.
What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident in Mission Viejo?
Your actions immediately following a bicycle crash and over the subsequent days and weeks could have a major impact on the outcome of your case. There are steps you can take to strengthen your claim and mistakes you must avoid in order to minimize the likelihood of facing a dispute. Read on for a breakdown of what you should do after a bicycle wreck:
- Seek Medical Attention: No matter how subtle your symptoms seem in the immediate aftermath of the crash, there’s a chance you sustained a serious injury that will cause major complications if left untreated. You might think rest is all you need to heal, but if you don’t get an official diagnosis and you eventually decide to file a personal injury claim, there’s a good chance you will face a dispute. The insurance company may assert that your injuries could not be as severe as you are claiming because immediate medical care was not necessary. They may also argue that your decision not to seek medical attention was negligent and has allowed your injury to worsen, so you should not receive compensation for 100 percent of your damages. It is even possible that the insurer will try to say that your injuries were caused by something else. At the end of the day, one of the smartest steps you can take to protect your claim is to undergo an immediate medical evaluation.
- Write Down Everything You Remember: The more details you are able to provide to your Mission Viejo bicycle accident lawyer, the better prepared he or she will be to conduct the investigation. By writing down what you remember as soon as possible, you will be in a better position to recall important facts about the collision.
- Call a Lawyer: Do not put off your legal consultation. The more time that passes, the higher the chance that time-sensitive evidence will become inaccessible. If you are unable to come to our office for the free consultation, a member of our team will come to you.
- Deactivate Your Social Media Profiles Temporarily: The last thing you want to do is provide the insurance company with evidence that can be used to dispute your claim. It’s not uncommon for social media posts to bring liability, causation, or damages into question. By temporarily deactivating your accounts, you will be eliminating one potential source of evidence to use against you.
- Do Not Speak to the Insurance Adjuster: Your statements could end up jeopardizing your case. In fact, the claims adjuster will likely ask questions that are intended to elicit responses that can be used to dispute your claim. For this reason, you should let your Mission Viejo bicycle accident attorney handle this correspondence on your behalf.
- Follow Your Doctor’s Orders: Any deviation from your doctor’s instructions could lead to a dispute over a failure to mitigate damages. Do not return to work or physical activities until your medical team says that it’s okay to do so.
- Start a Personal Injury Journal: Keep track of your symptoms, their severity, the effects the injuries are having on your familial and social life, and any medication side effects.
- Keep Track of Your Damages: Put any receipts and invoices for costs arising from the accident or your injuries in a safe place. Any necessary and reasonable costs stemming from the tort might be recoverable.
Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to Speak with a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Mission Viejo
Our attorneys are ready to provide you and your family with aggressive and compassionate legal representation. We are here to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Send us a message online or dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to speak with a member of our team.