Steps After a Car Accident in Salt Lake City, UT

What Should you do After a Crash?

Car accidents are bad enough, but getting into an accident on a bicycle can be even scarier. Other than your helmet, you have little protection when on a bicycle, and accidents frequently result in injury. If this is your story, you may have a case and be able to get compensation for injuries and any time or money lost as a result. Knowing what to do after a bicycle accident can help you get there.

A Not Uncommon Accident

Believe it or not, bicycle accidents are actually quite common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “In 2013 in the U.S., over 900 bicyclists were killed and there were an estimated 494,000 emergency department visits due to bicycle-related injuries.” That's a huge number, considering bicycles account for only 1% of trips.

Those emergency visits cost time and money, neither of which most people want to give up lightly. If you find yourself in this position, it's a good idea to look into possible compensation from the motorist with whom you collided.

Compensation for Medical Bills

The good news is that the driver of the car should cover your medical bills, even if you yourself don't have insurance. However, many insurance companies will look for ways to deny you the funds for your medical expenses and any time or money lost to missed work, recuperation and so on.

That's why it's important to take the correct steps after a bicycle accident, including keeping careful track of your records and seeing a doctor right away. Doing so gives you a much better chance of recovering the money you're owed and moving on with your life.

Steps to Take

First things first: You can't get compensated by the driver's insurance company if you don't know who the driver is. Immediately following the accident, exchange information so you can contact them later. See a doctor immediately, so you can assess all injuries, catching any you weren't aware of. Keep track of all medical bills and records so you can use them in your claim and the lawyers you work with will have solid evidence of what you've been through.

Which means, of course, that you'll probably want to contact a lawyer. You need someone who can help you do a thorough investigation of the accident scene, gather evidence and take photos to help with your case, advocate for you with insurance companies that aren't interested in helping, and help you get your medical bills and paperwork in order.

And don't forget to learn from the incident. Staying safe on the road is crucial when you don't have the protection of a car around you, especially in bad weather. Many of these tips for motorcycle riders are applicable to bikers looking to outfit themselves for safe driving in rainy conditions.

Bottom Line: If you were injured while riding a bicycle, the best thing you can do is follow the above steps carefully, getting legal advice on how to move forward with your case and your life. Insurance companies can be difficult and withholding, which is why you should seek help with your cause.

George Tait Law is a law firm and its lawyers represent injured people and their families across Utah including the counties and cities of Beaver, Box Elder, Cache, Carbon, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Morgan, Piute, Rich, Salt Lake, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Summit, Tooele, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, Washington, Wayne, Weber, American Fork, Beaver, Bountiful, Brigham City, Cedar City, Delta, Draper, Duchesne, Fillmore, Heber, Kamas, Kanab, Kaysville, Layton, Lehi, Logan, Moab, Murray, Nephi, Ogden, Orem, Park City, Price, Provo, Richfield, Riverton, Roy, Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Jordan, St. George, Tooele, Vernal, West Jordan, and West Valley City. George Tait Law and its attorneys are licensed to practice law only in the State of Utah and maintain offices in Salt Lake City, Utah. No attorney client relationship is established by simply visiting this website.