When you are riding a bicycle on Missouri streets, you are entitled to the same privileges and protections as people driving cars and commercial vehicles. But when other motorists make dangerous mistakes, it is often cyclists who end up getting seriously injured.
If you or a loved one has been hit by a distracted, reckless, or otherwise negligent car or truck driver in Missouri, you could be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries. However, your recovery could be affected by the actions you take in the immediate aftermath of your accident.
Why You Should Take Action After a Missouri Bicycle Accident
If you were seriously hurt by a negligent driver, you could file a claim against their insurance for damages, including:
- Your medical bills
- Prescription medication costs
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- The income you lost while taking time away from work to recover
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
- Disability
- Disfigurement
Missouri does not cap the compensation that car crash victims could receive from an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Since state law protects cyclists the same as other drivers, you could receive as much money as you need to begin moving past your accident.
How to Protect Your Rights to a Recovery
Missouri is an at-fault state, which means you could recover damages from the other motorist’s insurance company. However, insurance companies are for-profit businesses, which means they will do everything they can to devalue or deny your claim. You stand your best chance at recovery when you take the following steps after a Missouri bicycle accident:
- Call 9-1-1. You should call the police even if the other motorist apologizes and accepts the blame. While you may not wish to involve law enforcement, a police report could be used to attribute liability to the other motorist if they or their insurance company later dispute the facts of the accident.
- Collect evidence. If you are physically able, you could take photographs of the accident site, your injuries, and any nearby road signs and traffic control signals.
- Speak to eyewitnesses. If anyone saw your accident, ask them for their name and contact information. Their testimony could be critical in court.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even if you do not believe you were seriously injured, you should still visit a doctor. Oftentimes, the injuries sustained in bicycle accidents are not immediately visible. You may not realize anything is wrong until you begin experiencing sudden pain. A doctor could perform laboratory and diagnostic tests to ascertain whether you suffered any injuries. Seeing a physician also shows the insurance company that you have genuine concerns about your health and are not simply trying to profit off the accident.
- Speak to an attorney. You should never speak to an insurance adjuster or try to negotiate a settlement by yourself. A Missouri bicycle crash attorney could help protect your rights and secure better compensation than you would receive without representation.
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