Biking, whether for recreation or competition, is a great way to get exercise and enjoy time outdoors. However, it’s crucial to practice caution when pedaling near traffic, as unexpected accidents can have serious consequences. If you’re hit by a car while riding your bike, there are a few steps you should take to ensure your safety — including finding a reputable personal injury attorney. Here are some more tips to keep in mind if you’re involved in a biking accident.

What Should You Do at the Scene?

See a Doctor

Your first priority after an accident should be to seek medical attention. Some injuries — such as concussions or internal bleeding — may be hard to detect at first, so even if you feel okay, you should still be examined by a doctor. This is also important if you decide to file a claim against the driver that caused the accident. If your personal injury attorney decides you have a substantial case, medical records that prove any serious or debilitating injuries can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Call the Police

Police will come to the scene of the accident, assess what took place, and create an incident report. If you decide to handle the matter on your own, it’s imperative that you obtain several items of information from the driver, including their license plate, driver’s license number, insurance information, and phone number. If your phone is still in working order, document the scene of the accident by taking photographs of the vehicle, your bicycle, and any relevant injuries.

How Can You Build a Strong Case?

If you sustained serious injuries, either mental or physical, you might decide it’s best to sue the driver of the vehicle. A skilled personal injury attorney will discuss the events of the accident with you to build the strongest case possible. During your meeting, your attorney will attempt to ascertain whether you bore any percentage of the responsibility for the accident. This is because the state of Alabama follows the rule of contributory negligence.

This means, if a court finds that you, the plaintiff, were 2% at fault for the accident and the driver, the defendant, was 98% at fault, you may not be allowed to collect any compensation for your injuries. However, if the court finds that the defendant was 100% at fault, you may recover cover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages provide compensation to you for monetary losses you may have sustained because of your injuries, such as hospital and physical therapy bills. Non-economic damages are intended to provide compensation to you for any pain and suffering you may have endured that led to the loss of enjoyment in your life. 

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, don’t wait, call the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Edmiston Law in Scottsboro, AL. Their team has more than 20 years of experience navigating a variety of cases, including personal injury, family law, traffic violations, and DUI charges. They will fight on your behalf to secure a win and get you the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how they can help you in your quest for justice, visit them online. To schedule a consultation with one of their personal injury attorneys, call (256) 259-0834.