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California is home to thousands of cyclists, but even with this many riders on the road, motorists still fail to look out for those in the saddle. The result? Catastrophic accidents with life changing consequences. If you were injured in a wreck while out riding, you may be wondering about how you can start building your personal injury claim. Let’s look at a few steps you should—and shouldn’t—take after a wreck:  

Do Visit the Doctor Immediately after the Accident 

Even if you were able to walk away from the accident, you should still schedule a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. As a rider, you have little protection in a wreck, so it’s possible that you sustained serious impact injuries that are yet to manifest symptoms.  

However, visiting the doctor is about more than just ruling out a life-threatening condition, taking this crucial step could also help you avoid disputes during proceedings. For instance, if the insurer discovers that you didn’t seek treatment until weeks after the accident, they might assert your injuries aren’t as serious as you are claiming because you didn’t require urgent care. 

Don’t Post about the Accident on Social Media 

Sites such Facebook and Twitter have become popular meeting places for California’s cyclists, so it’s only natural that you would want to share the details of this traumatic event as a cautionary tale for your fellow riders. However, posting about the accident could be a crucial mistake that might make it impossible for you to recover fair compensation.  

The insurer may be monitoring your online activity for any evidence that could be used to dispute your claim. For example, the claims adjuster could misrepresent your comments to make it seem like you admitted fault for causing the accident. In most situations, it's best to deactivate your accounts for the duration of proceedings. 

Do Stick To Your Treatment Plan 

Getting a prompt diagnosis is just the first part of fulfilling your responsibility to mitigate additional losses. Once you’ve visited the doctor, you must make sure you stick to their instructions carefully—even if you think they are being overly cautious. As such, if you’ve been told to take time off work to let your injuries heal, you should sit at home even if that means missing out on a substantial amount in paychecks. Afterall, you will likely be able to seek compensation for income you lost as a result of your injuries. 

Don’t Lose Crucial Evidence 

Whether you took photographs at the accident scene or managed to obtain copies of your medical records, you should compile all this evidence in a safe place to share with your attorney. In some situations, a single misplaced piece of proof could do irreparable harm to your personal injury case. 

Discuss Your Situation with a Bicycle Accident Attorney in California 

Were you injured in a bicycle accident? Turn to the personal injury lawyers at HPIL to discuss your options. Our bicycle accident attorneys can review your claim as part of a free consultation. From the moment you pick up the phone, we will treat you with dignity, professionalism, and respect. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or click through to our Contact Form to request a case assessment.