Being involved in a bicycle accident can be frightening and traumatic, and what you do in the minutes and hours after the accident can make a big difference in terms of your recovery and your insurance claim. Know your rights, and should you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, follow these eight steps to protect yourself.
If I've Been Injured in an Accident, Do I Really Need an Attorney?
Not always. In many cases, your injuries may be limited, your medical bills low, and your property damage minimal. Generally speaking, it may not be necessary to retain a lawyer under these circumstances, as the legal fees alone could eat up most of the settlement funds. That leaves you, the injured party, with very little left over. But, you would be well advised to talk to an attorney before making that decision. At my firm, we provide obligation-free consultations at no charge, and we'll help you to determine whether or not hiring an attorney is in your best interest given the facts of your case.
Bruce Deming Speaks About Cyclists' Challenges in DC
Due in part to the considerable number of different law enforcement agencies that exist within the District of Columbia, many officers are not well-versed in current traffic laws that pertain specifically to cyclists. This lack of uniform education is a serious issue for cyclists who have been injured in an accident, as the police report is very often the first thing that an insurance adjuster reviews.