It's every parent's worst nightmare: your child was riding a bicycle when they were struck by a car. It happens more often than you'd think - in 2015, over 61,000 children were involved in motor vehicle crashes while on a bicycle. While any bicycle accident involving your child can be terrifying, if your child is hit by a car, there are important measures to take after the accident that will help protect your right to compensation:
The first and most crucial step to take following a bicycle accident is to seek prompt medical care for your child. Their injuries should be treated immediately, even if they seem minor. This not only ensures the best possible outcome for recovery, it will provide documentation regarding the extent of your child's injuries should you need it for a lawsuit or settlement.
Once your child is safe and receiving medical care, you should begin to collect the names and contact information for any witnesses to the accident. You'll need the witnesses to help understand if the car driver is legally responsible for the accident and for your child's injuries. If the driver is still at the scene, obtain their name, contact information, driver's license, and insurance information.
In addition to witnesses, you should take photos of your child's injuries as soon as possible, as well as the entire accident scene. Leave the bicycle and any other damaged property just as it was after the accident. Be sure to write down as much information about the accident as possible.
It's important to report the accident to the police even if you don't believe your child has been injured. The child's injuries might not be obvious right away, and injuries that appear minor sometimes develop into serious, ongoing problems. The police will document everything in a police report, which will be of use later when resolving any disagreements over what happened.
If your child has been injured in a bicycle accident, the team at Dugan & Associates is here for you, and we're ready to look at your case. Our team of experienced lawyers will make sure you receive the maximum monetary compensation available to you. Contact us for your free consultation.
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