Cyclists who share the road with motor vehicles can be vulnerable to catastrophic accidents and injuries. With little protection, riders must often rely on the safe driving of motorists who share the road with them. Unfortunately, crashes between motor vehicles and bicyclists are common in South Florida, and oftentimes lead to severe injury or death, including brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones.

When a bicyclist is injured due to another’s negligent driving or operation of a motor vehicle, that injured bicyclist may be entitled to compensation for personal injuries suffered in the crash. Damages may include medical bills, lost wages, and intangible damages such as pain, suffering, disability, loss of the enjoyment of life, and mental anguish.  The thought of pursuing a personal injury claim may feel overwhelming in the aftermath of a serious bicycle accident, especially when your attention is rightfully focused on the hard work of getting better.  However, if you are considering making a claim for personal injury, you would be well served to retain a personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later. That lawyer can help gather important evidence which may be lost or destroyed in the weeks or months following your crash and help ensure you have what you need to pursue your claim.

In this article, we share a few tips that might help strengthen you claim.

1. Preserve Evidence from the Scene

From photographs of the wreckage to surveillance camera footage to the items of clothing you were wearing at the moment of impact, any evidence you were able to gather at the scene should be compiled in a safe place where it will be ready to share with your attorney. An accident reconstruction expert, for example, may be able to use these items to piece together the events leading up to and causing your crash.

2. Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement

If the insurance company contacts you to request a recorded statement, it may be unwise to agree to this request. While they might assure you that they just want to hear your version of events, these “interviews” are often used as fact-finding missions where claims adjuster search for evidence that can be used to dispute your case.

Additionally, until you have had a chance to investigate the accident and evaluate the full extent of your losses, you run the risk of saying something untrue that could later be used diminish your claim or credibility.

3. Keep a Personal Injury Journal

The road to recovery can be long, painful, and exhausting. However, it is important that you keep track of your symptoms, pain levels, and everyday challenges as such information may help you build a case for intangible losses such as pain and suffering. Ultimately, your entries can serve as a window into your life, giving others insight into the types of struggles you have endured as a direct result of the wreck.

4. Lay Low on Social Media

Sites such as Facebook have become meeting hubs for riders throughout Florida. While discussing the accident and venting your frustrations about the negligent driver may feel appropriate, your digital comments may compromise your chances of recovering full compensation. It is no secret that insurers now monitor social media feeds when investigating claims.  Anything you share in the online space could be used as evidence to challenge your case. To avoid hurting your claim, increase security on your profiles and avoid commenting about your claim.

Speak to a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Miami Today

Were you injured while riding your bicycle? The legal team at Viñas & DeLuca, PLLC is ready to take your call. We provide reliable legal guidance and aggressive representation at every stage of proceedings. Use our contact form HERE or dial (305) 372-3650 to lock in a free case review with a Florida bicycle accident attorney.