If you are injured in a bicycle accident in Henderson or Las Vegas, you are entitled to be compensated for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering under Nevada law.
However, it may not be easy to settle your claim if the insurance company for the negligent driver tries to deny it or pay you less than you are owed.
Seven Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Henderson
Here are seven steps you can take immediately after the accident to protect your health, strengthen your case—and win all the compensation you deserve:
1. Move to a Safe Location
If at all possible, move to a safe location on the side of the road. You could be even more seriously injured if another motorist does not see you and hits you again.
2. Seek Prompt Medical Care
Call 911 for an ambulance or go to the emergency room after the crash. Even if you do not believe you were injured, make an appointment with your doctor within 48 to 72 hours after your crash. You may have suffered a hidden injury—such as damage to the brain, spinal cord, or internal organs—and experience no symptoms until days or weeks later. Getting immediate medical treatment will help you protect your health and avoid disputes with the insurance company about the cause of your injuries.
3. Call the Police
You should call the police at the crash scene and obtain a copy of the police report. It will contain vital information to help you prove the driver’s negligence, such as a narration of how the crash occurred, who caused it, and whether any traffic citations were issued. You will also need a copy of it when you file your claim with the insurance company.
4. Obtain Contact Information
Get the contact information for the driver and his insurance company. You should also obtain this information for any witnesses who saw your accident as it occurred. If you do not do this, you may lose vital evidence that can substantiate that you did nothing to cause your injuries.
5. Take Pictures
Use your cellphone camera to take pictures of the damage to the auto that struck you, your bike, road conditions, tread marks, your injuries, and anything else that you think can help show the cause of your wreck. If you are too hurt to take photos, ask someone you were biking with or a bystander to do this for you.
6. Save Your Bicycle and Clothes
You should preserve your bike and your clothes in the condition they were in at the time of your crash. They may help establish how the accident happened and can be powerful evidence to show a jury if your case goes to trial.
7. Retain an Attorney
You should hire an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Henderson as soon as possible after your collision. He can investigate the cause of your accident, collect the evidence you need to prove the other driver’s fault, and negotiate your settlement so that your rights are protected.
Basic Bicycle Safety Tips
Also, it’s very important as cyclist to understand the most common bicycle safety tips.
Control your bicycle
Maintain the bike upright while riding on the highway and be in control. The size of the bicycle should match the rider. It should also be adjusted to the rider’s preference, comfort and ability.
Open Communication
You must know how to communicate and share your intention with the others sharing the road. Using hand signals will help alert motorists around you that you are making a left or right turn.
Open Visibility
Make yourself visible. Wear a vest with reflectors or place them on your bicycle so that motorists have open visibility to where you are on the road. It’s good to brush up on the requirements in your location for proper signaling.
Wear Proper Equipment
To reduce any risk of injury wear a helmet, knee pads, and other protective equipment. For anyone under the age of 18 in most states it is illegal to ride a bike on the road without wearing a helmet. For those over 18, it is a very smart and recommended option!
Direction Matters
Always ride the same direction as traffic. This can reduce the risk of colliding with a motorist. It also helps those who are entering the roadway to identify you immediately.
There are many more tips that can be added such as avoiding road hazards, how to slow down in traffic, how to cross traffic, among others. Traffic laws are put in place to help everyone progress to their destination in a proper manner. Bicyclists and motorists must obey all of the traffic laws while on the road to ensure safety. This means that when the light turns red, a bicyclist has to stop just like the car in front or behind it. Even though speed on a bicycle is powered by the human riding it, speed limits apply as well. If a rural area has a speed of 15, you have to abide by it as a bicyclist as well. The bicycle traffic laws should always be abided by to protect bicyclists and those they share the road with.
At Jones Wilson Injury Lawyers, we represent residents and out-of-town visitors injured in bike accidents. We are dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve and are not afraid to take your case to court if this is in your best interest.
Have You Been Injured In A Bicycle Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident you need to speak with an experienced bicycle accident injury attorney in Henderson as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Henderson office directly at 702.405.6000 to schedule a free consultation with our bicycle accident attorneys.