After a bike accident, a hospital visit is a critical decision. There could be times when you may not need to go to the emergency room, such as if you did not hit your head, have no visible injuries, and did not impact the vehicle significantly. In all other cases, our North Charleston bicycle accident lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm encourages you to go to the hospital after a bike accident crash.
What Happens When You Go to the Hospital After a Bike Accident?
Going to the hospital immediately after a bike accident is the best way to ensure you know what your health condition is and what steps you need to take to recover. Most of the time, you will be given a full examination and asked numerous questions. There are a few key things to remember about this process:
- Inform the medical team that you were hit by a vehicle and provide details of what happened. That way, they know exactly what steps to take to help you.
- Be sure to inform the medical team of any injuries you have, even if they are not the most significant.
- Ask for x-rays, lab tests, and other tests if you hit your head or otherwise suffered serious injuries.
Most of the time, the emergency room is the right place to go to get a full checkup. They can handle any of the complications that arise in the hours after your accident. The information provided in your medical record could help your personal injury lawyer pursue financial compensation for you after the accident.
You May Not Know What Is Wrong
Some bicycle accident injuries are very obvious and require immediate medical care to protect your life and ensure recovery. Other injuries are less obvious, and often, you may not have any idea that you have those injuries until they worsen. Consider these examples of bicycle accident injuries you may not know you have until you go to the hospital.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Some types of brain injuries are not obvious because the brain slams into the interior portion of the skull, but no exterior injury is evident. Symptoms can develop immediately or over the next few days, and the longer they go untreated, the higher the risk for complications.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is an injury to the muscles and tendons in the neck and upper shoulders that hold up and support the head. Initially, you may not feel anything or just a minor ache right away, but this can develop into a highly painful injury in the next 24 to 72 hours, warranting immediate care.
- Internal bleeding: It is not uncommon for a bicycle accident to lead to intense force slamming into a car or other object that causes internal organ and tissue injuries. It may hurt, but you may not immediately see injuries. In some cases, it can take days for internal organ damage to become visible, and at that time, it is likely to be significant and life-threatening.
The only way to protect yourself from the complications of these injuries is to get in to see the doctor as soon as possible. When it comes to suffering any type of injury during a bike accident, hospital visits should be obtained so you can protect your future health and well-being. If someone else caused that accident, you can expect them to pay for your losses as well.
Who Pays for Emergency Care After a Bicycle Accident?
When someone else causes your injuries, and you get medical care, that party is responsible for the payment of those medical bills. If you are unsure about how the medical bills will be paid, prioritize getting the care you need first. That way, you protect your health and well-being.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident with a Car
When you are facing a bike accident because of the actions of a driver that was operating a car, truck, or other vehicle, it is best to call 911 and wait in most cases. Let the police come to the location to provide a full investigation of what occurred. They should bring medical professionals with them as well who can advise you on whether or not you should go to the hospital.
While you wait for care, gather as much information as you can without compromising your health and well-being. Take photos, get the contact information and driver’s license number of those who were involved, and ask witnesses to provide their contact information to you. Provide the police with only the facts of the case and no speculation on what caused the accident.
If you did not do any of these steps prior to going to the hospital after a bicycle accident, reach out to the police department for the city where the incident occurred. Some will encourage you to come in, if you are able to, to create a police report, or they may be willing to come to you in the hospital, especially in the situation of a hit and run. The key is to communicate with the police as soon as possible to protect your rights and hold those responsible accountable.
Call on a Bicycle Accident Attorney at Any Time
When you are facing injuries and potential complications to your health and well-being due to the mistakes of another person, you need a qualified bicycle accident attorney to guide you. You can depend on the Shelly Leeke Law Firm to remain by your side throughout this process. Even if you are not sure if you need an attorney, there are plenty of reasons to call us:
- We can help you determine who is at fault.
- Our attorneys can help you calculate all of your losses.
- We can help you get your medical bills paid.
There is no risk in contacting our bicycle accident attorneys for guidance. Whether you go to the doctor or not, call an attorney if you have injuries. Let us help you get the support you need, so be sure to review our results to learn more about our firm.
Call Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys Now
Contact the Shelly Leeke Law Firm now to schedule a free consultation with our South Carolina bicycle & pedestrian accident lawyers. Our attorneys will work closely with you to ensure your needs are met. There is no cost and no risk to contacting us before or after you go to the hospital for a bicycle crash.
