What to Do After a Brain Injury in a Bike Accident

Bicycling is an extremely popular activity in California. Unfortunately, hundreds of cyclists are treated for serious brain injuries in emergency rooms every year. If you are diagnosed with a concussion or another type of traumatic brain injury after an accident on your bike, find out what to do to protect your health and start building a strong personal injury claim.

Keep Up With Medical Treatments

The most important thing to do is to get professional medical care. Visit a hospital or emergency room right away after a bicycle crash, especially if you hit your head or weren’t wearing a helmet.

Medical testing could reveal a brain injury even if you aren’t yet experiencing symptoms. Swelling and bleeding in the brain, for instance, can both cause delayed symptoms that only arise after the injury has progressed to a more severe stage.

Keep up with your recommended treatments as you heal and recover. This may include rest, medications, therapies or surgery. Keep copies of your medical records, CT scans, treatment plans and health care costs.

Preserve Evidence From the Scene

As an injured bicycle accident victim in California, it is up to you as the plaintiff (filing party) to prove that the other driver or a third party caused your crash. You must prove your injury claim using evidence, including from the crash scene. 

Do your best to document the accident and your injuries for a future claim. This includes photos at the scene, video footage of the wreck, eyewitness accounts, your damaged bicycle and medical records.

Track Your Losses

Traumatic brain injuries can be extremely serious and have a significant impact on your life and future. Seeking fair financial compensation requires understanding the full extent of your losses, which may include:

• Painful or debilitating symptoms
• Long-term or permanent brain damage
• Medical costs
• Emotional or personality changes
• Memory issues
• Trouble concentrating
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Work or school limitations 
• Lost wages 
• Trouble sleeping
• Chronic headaches
• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of consortium

It is important to accurately track and record your losses as you navigate life after a brain injury in a bicycle accident. This can give you the proof you need to maximize your settlement.

Be Careful Corresponding With Insurance Companies

When it’s time to file a claim for your brain injury, be careful how you communicate with insurance companies. An insurer will do what it can to diminish your payout so that it profits as much as possible. Protect yourself by limiting what you say during conversations with the claims adjuster. Don’t give them a recorded statement, admit fault or accept the first settlement offer.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Near You

Seeking justice for a brain injury from a bicycle accident in California is easier when you hire an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you. A top-rated lawyer for injury cases in Los Angeles can provide invaluable assistance and advocacy, from insurance settlement negotiations to the litigation of your case in court. 

If you or a loved one suffered a life-changing brain injury, it is vital to at least consult with an attorney before embarking on the insurance process. A lawyer will prevent you from getting taken advantage of by an insurance company by fighting for the compensation you deserve.For a free consultation about your bicycle accident case, contact Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP 24/7.