If you’ve been involved in an accident while riding a bike, it’s important that you know exactly what you need to do in order to ensure your interests are protected. Obviously, the first thing you’ll want to do is seek medical attention as soon as possible. Whether you are seriously injured and transported to a hospital by ambulance or you decide you can make an appointment to see your regular physician, a medical evaluation can be an essential part of identifying any problems that might arise in the future.

A concussion, sprained back, or even problems with balance or coordination could signal bigger issues. It is only through a trained medical professional and diagnostic testing that you’ll have a better understanding of the repercussions of your bike accident. It doesn’t matter if you were riding a motorcycle, bicycle or electric bike, when you’re involved in an accident, you need to take care of your current medical needs as well as future medical or financial situations that might develop as a result of the accident.

It’s a good idea to document as much as possible as soon as it is feasible for you to do so. Get copies of the police report, information regarding other parties in the incident, as well as any witnesses that might be able to clarify exactly what happened. It’s also important to take note of obstacles that might have caused the accident; this could be bad weather, something obstructing your view, damage to the roadway or sidewalk, etc. Anything that could be a contributing factor is something your bike accident lawyer will likely want to know about.

Once you’ve taken care of your immediate medical needs, it’s time to contact a lawyer who specializes in this type of accident. Not all lawyers have the same level of credibility or success, so make sure you do your research. It takes more than a law degree to get results, choose a lawyer with expertise in bike accidents. Most personal injury lawyers will provide you with a free initial consultation. This consultation will be an opportunity for you to tell the lawyer about your accident and medical situation. In turn, the lawyer will be able to discuss with you the strength of your case and how they would proceed if you decide to work with their legal team.

Don’t be shy about asking questions. You’re hiring a lawyer; the lawyer isn’t hiring you. It’s important that you understand exactly what you should expect if you decide to pursue legal action. Your lawyer and legal team will be there for you until your case is settled. Keep in contact with them regularly and make sure that you update them if anything changes.

If you’re worried about taking legal action, don’t be. You will likely not have to pay anything until and only if, you receive a settlement. Your lawyer, such as this NYC bike accident lawyer, will not take the case if they don’t think you are entitled to financial compensation. This could be for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, short- or long-term disability, or the need to change careers.