Preserving Evidence After a New York Bicycle Accident
After being involved in a bicycle accident in New York, preserving evidence is one of the most crucial steps you can take to protect your legal rights and maximize your chances of recovering full compensation. All the evidence you preserve after your accident becomes critical in building a strong claim. In this article, we look at the importance of preserving evidence after a New York bicycle accident, the types of evidence to preserve, and how to preserve this evidence.
Why Is It Important To Preserve Evidence After a Bicycle Accident?
Preserving evidence after a bicycle accident is crucial for several reasons. In New York, before a bicycle accident victim can recover compensation from another driver, they must establish liability. This entails showing that the other driver was negligent and their negligence caused your accident and resulting injuries. Solid evidence can help you prove this.
Secondly, evidence can help show the extent of your injuries and the economic and non-economic impact of the accident. Insurers often look for reasons to minimize payouts. Having detailed and well-preserved evidence gives your legal representative the leverage they need to negotiate a fair settlement, or, if need be, take your case to court.
Additionally, well-documented and preserved evidence can speed up the claims process by making it easy for insurers to assess liability, evaluate damages, and offer a fair settlement faster.
Types of Evidence To Preserve After a Bicycle Accident
The following are some key types of evidence to gather after a bicycle accident in New York;
- Photos and Videos
After a bicycle accident, take pictures and videos of;
- The accident scene
- Vehicle and bicycle damage
- Road conditions
- Any visible injuries you have
When taking pictures and videos, take both close-ups and wide-angle shots. You want to capture a complete picture of the scene layout, damage severity, and factors that may have contributed to the accident.
Tip: If your injuries make taking photos and videos impossible, ask a bystander to help.
- Witness Statements or Testimony
If your accident occurred on a busy street, someone may have seen it happen. Eyewitnesses can provide firsthand accounts of the accident and help corroborate your story. It’s crucial to talk to potential witnesses and get their names and contact information. Your attorney can follow up with them for statements or testimony.
Tip: Prioritize neutral third-party witnesses (not riding partners or friends).
- Your Bicycle and Cycling Equipment
Your damaged bicycle, helmet, clothes, and other bicycle gear or personal items can be valuable evidence in your New York bicycle accident claim. Store everything safely in its post-accident condition until you speak to your attorney and they advise otherwise.
- Police Report
After a New York bicycle accident, the responding officers will usually create an official accident report after conducting a preliminary investigation at the accident scene. Request a copy of this report. A police report may contain crucial information such as driver/witness details or statements, road conditions, diagrams of the scene, and preliminary fault determination.
- Medical Records
Seek prompt medical attention even if you feel fine. Your medical records will help connect your injuries to the accident and show the extent of your damages. Maintain copies of ER visits, prescriptions, doctor’s notes, test results, and therapy records.
Contact a Long Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you were in a bicycle accident, contact our skilled Long Island bicycle accident lawyers at Jacobson Law. We can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
