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The beautiful weather and established bike trails make biking in Los Angeles enjoyable most times of the year. That is until someone is not paying attention or the heavy congestion of roadways makes it hard to see the bike rider present. Hiring a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney could be critical to protecting your right to fair compensation.
At MKP Law Group, LLP, we provide each client with exceptional legal representation and support. You become our priority. You do not have to wait to contact us for a free consultation.
The First 24 Hours After a Bicycle Accident
After a bike accident, your life may feel like it has been turned upside down. Yet, what you do right after it happens could impact your ability to recover damages fairly. Right after the accident happens, in the ideal situation, follow these steps:
- Get out of the way. If you can move yourself safely out of the way of further injury, do so. Step out of the way of traffic.
- Call 911. Even if you feel okay, call local law enforcement to your location. Request medical care as well. Stay on the phone with the dispatcher until help arrives.
- Get medical care. Even if you do not need an ambulance, it is still advisable to visit the local emergency room within the first 24 hours. This helps document your injuries and proves they are from the bike accident.
- Capture photos of the accident. When it is safe for you to do so, take photos of the accident scene. Be sure to snap photos of the driver, the license plate, and any damage to the vehicle from the collision.
- Get the driver’s information. The driver should provide you with their contact information, including their car insurance information.
Follow all medical recommendations at this point. That includes follow-up care recommended by the hospital or your doctor. Demonstrate that you are doing everything necessary to recover.
The First Week After a Bicycle Accident
In the next few days, your focus is likely on your recovery. Take every step necessary to protect your health. Follow these tips:
- Complete all your required medical treatment. Do not rush to leave the hospital or skip your appointments.
- File an accident report with the local police department within the first few days. In cases where the accident is serious and requires ongoing hospitalization, you request that the police visit your hospital location.
- Wait to go back to work until you have approval. Do not go to work if your doctor tells you not to do so. Be sure to get documentation of your doctor recommending time off.
- Secure legal representation. Call our Los Angeles bicycle accident attorneys. Even in these first days, having the reassurance of a legal team can make an immense difference in your peace of mind.
- Write down what happened. Document the details of the accident as you remember them. The sooner you do this, the better.
- Avoid social media posts about your accident or activities. This information could be used against you at a later time. Though tempting, even updates to any fundraising efforts could impact your ability to recover damages in your case.
Within the First Couple of Months After a Bicycle Accident
During the coming months, the steps you take are dependent specifically on your medical needs. Let your attorney lead you through any legal steps required. The following are examples of common steps you will likely take.
- Keep your attorney informed. Maintain communication with us about how you’re doing and what kinds of medical treatments you may need to undergo. And absolutely let us know if you’re being hounded by insurance companies or bill collectors; we may be able to help with that.
- Continue to receive all medical care recommended for you. This might include physical therapy, follow-up medical procedures, and rehabilitation. Document all appointments, including copayments and other bills you receive.
- Discuss your limits with your lawyer. We need to know more than just your medical treatments; we need to understand the impact this accident is having on all aspects of your life. Consider activities you missed due to mobility loss, your mental health implications, and quality of life. How has this accident impacted your family and children?
- Avoid speaking to the insurance company. Dealing with the insurance company is one of the many reasons you hired our Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers, right? Let us handle this communication for you.
When to Hire a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you do not have physical injuries that warrant visiting a hospital or getting medical care, you can probably just file a property loss claim, if applicable. but if you are injured at all – even an injury that should heal entirely with minimal treatments or care – you want to at least speak with a Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer.
Why? Because folks with serious injuries often sustain more losses than they realize. If you cannot substantiate those losses, you cannot claim compensation. As injury attorneys, we understand how to calculate your losses, what proof is needed that you sustained them, and how likely it is that your losses will be ongoing. Speak to one of our bike accident lawyers if:
- You have medical bills from your accident.
- There were multiple parties involved in the accident.
- You’ve lost time at work from your accident.
- You need ongoing medical care
- You spent any time in the hospital.
- An insurance company is pushing you to settle now.
As soon as you realize you were hurt, call a Los Angeles bicycle accident attorney at MKP Law Group, LLP. We can’t get started working for you until you call.
What Can a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer from MKP Law Group, LLP Do for You?
When you hire our legal team, you become more than a bicycle accident statistic. We become your advocates. A Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyer from MKP Law Group, LLP will not take no for an answer from the insurance company – not when we know our clients are facing such an uphill battle. Instead, we are persistent about holding them accountable. That includes not overlooking any details in your case that could contribute to the value they owe you.
The severity and type of accident injuries you have, along with the emotional impact you are facing, all play a role in how much compensation you receive and how much support you need. Expect our legal team to be there for you. We answer the phone, we answer your questions, and we build a strong case on your behalf. We have a network of professional resources we can call on to help you.
Our bicycle accident settlement amounts show our dedication to fighting for our clients. We recover fair damages for victims to the highest level the law allows. Expect us to fight for you.
Quick Questions About Insurance Coverage and Bicycle Accidents
Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents?
Homeowners’ insurance typically covers losses that occur on another person’s property or with another person’s assets covered by the policy. It could be possible for homeowners’ insurance to cover a bicycle accident, depending on the cause of the incident.
For example, if you were riding your bike on another person’s property and their dog attacked you, that policy may apply to you. Our Los Angeles bicycle accident attorneys will help you determine which policy owes you.
Does Auto Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents?
If you were hit by a car, then the at-fault driver’s auto insurance should cover your bicycle accident. If that driver was uninsured/underinsured, then you can file a claim through your own auto policy.
How Does MedPay/PIP Work – and Who Can Use It?
Medical Coverage Payments (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is optional insurance that covers the policyholder as well as any passengers who get hurt in a car accident. In California, however, cyclists and pedestrians can also make a claim through your own MedPay or PIP coverage.
Should I Use My Health Insurance Instead?
If you can, yes – because you’re likely to get a better rate for your care than you would through your auto insurance. That’s important because in serious injury claims, hospitals often delay billing until after you have completed the course of your treatments. Instead, they put what’s called a medical lien on your award, meaning they will collect their payments from your settlement. By using your health insurance, you may actually pay less for your care, which means the lien will be less. You can always use your own MedPay to help offset the costs of deductibles, too.
Contact Our Bike Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles Today
Injured in a wreck and don’t know where to turn? Turn to us. Our bike accident lawyers in Los Angeles put your needs first. Call MKP Law Group, LLP now or set up a free consultation. Let us answer all of your questions.
