After you’ve been in a bike accident in Iowa, there are four common mistakes you could make to ruin your personal injury claim.
1. Posting about your bike accident on social media
Whether it is to inform friends and family that you are okay, or to vent about your frustration with careless drivers, it’s tempting to post about your recent bike accident on social media — this is not a good idea.
The driver’s car insurance company will search your social media pages for any information that can be used against you or your case. To have the best chance at receiving compensation for injuries sustained in a bicycle accident, you should not post on social media until your case has settled or has gone to trial.
Injured bicyclists need to realize that if they pursue a personal injury claim in Iowa, the other side will likely get to see everything they post online. Courts allow insurance corporations to dig into accident victims’ Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, no matter how strong your privacy settings are.
2. Settling your personal injury claim with the insurance company before you are completely healed
It might be tempting to settle your claim with the other driver’s insurance company. However, this is often a mistake.
The insurance company adjuster will usually try to make a settlement happen quickly in order to dissuade you from hiring an attorney. They know an experienced Iowa personal injury attorney will likely get more compensation for your claim than you could on your own.
The representative will often try and convince you that you only have a short time to get compensation for your injuries. This is not true. In Iowa, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to either settle your claim or file a lawsuit.
If any of the situations described below apply to you, you usually should avoid a quick settlement:
- You are still receiving medical care for your injuries
- Your injuries will likely require additional medical care in the future
- You have not yet been able to return to normal activities, especially work-related activities.
3. Failing to properly document your bike accident
After your bike crash, you should write down everything you remember if you are able. Draw a diagram of the scene and make note of the following:
- Time of day
- Weather
- Road conditions
- What you saw and heard before, during, and after the crash
Put the notes in a safe place so they are available if you must speak with an attorney or go to trial.
4. Paying a traffic fine or going to court for a traffic ticket related to your bicycle accident before consulting with an Iowa personal injury attorney
Paying a fine for a traffic offense can be used against you by the other side as an admission of guilt. Any testimony at a legal hearing can be recorded and used against your Iowa bicycle accident claim. That’s why we recommend talking to an attorney before you go to court or pay any ticket. The consultation is usually free, and you can find out the best way to protect your bike accident claim.
RSH Legal offers a free consultation to any Iowan injured in a bike crash. If you would like to speak with an experienced bike accident lawyer, call us today at 1-319-774-1783.
