Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer | Friedman & Simon Logo

CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

(516) 932-0400

Four Mistakes to Avoid After a Bicycle Accident

Four Mistakes to Avoid After a Bicycle AccidentNot getting prompt medical care, not preserving evidence, trying to speak to the insurance companies alone, and not consulting a Long Island bike accident lawyer are among the four biggest mistakes to avoid after a bicycle accident. While some mistakes are correctable, others could permanently affect your ability to recover appropriate compensation for your injuries. The sooner you consult our legal team about your case, the better.
Edward Friedman
REVIEWED BY Edward Friedman October 24, 2025
In This Article
Reading time: 5 minutes
  1. Why It Is a Mistake Not to Get Medical Care
  2. Not Collecting Evidence Is a Mistake, But We Are Still Able to Assist You
  3. Why Should You Not Speak to Insurers Alone After a Bike Crash?
  4. Why Hiring a Bike Accident Lawyer Is a Good Idea
  5. Let Our Bicycle Injury Lawyers Handle Your Bicycle Accident Case

Why It Is a Mistake Not to Get Medical Care

The single most important thing you can do for yourself and your case is to see a doctor. The purpose of seeking treatment is twofold:
  • The more important goal is to protect your health by ensuring your injuries are diagnosed right away and that you receive all necessary care to reduce pain, improve your quality of life, and increase your chances of making a complete recovery.
  • When you get medical care, you generate a record that documents your injuries, symptoms, treatment plan, and prognosis. We use medical records to prove that our clients deserve compensation.
If there is a significant gap between your accident and your first doctor’s appointment, the insurance company might try to use this fact against you. They will say your injuries were caused by something else, or that your injuries are not that bad since you were able to wait so long to get care. This is why delaying treatment is one of the four mistakes to avoid after a bicycle accident—and it explains how getting medical attention right away helps both you and your case.

For a free legal consultation, call (516) 932-0400

Not Collecting Evidence Is a Mistake, But We Are Still Able to Assist You

Evidence collection is probably not the first thing on your mind after a collision. That said, if you are able to do so without worsening your injuries or risking your safety in some other way, the following actions could greatly strengthen your case:
  • Taking photos of the accident scene, your bike, and your injuries
  • Getting the at-fault driver’s name and insurance information
  • Asking witnesses for their contact information
There are some situations where accident victims are simply unable to do these things—for example, if they are severely injured. Do not give up hope: it is still entirely possible to build a case and recover compensation in these circumstances. Our attorneys will gather all available evidence to support your case.

Why Should You Not Speak to Insurers Alone After a Bike Crash?

Insurance companies want to minimize the bicycle accident damages you receive. They have developed a number of tactics to use against accident victims and reduce the amount of money they have to pay you. For example:
  • If you give them a recorded statement, they might use anything you say against you, including supposed inconsistencies or omissions.
  • They might offer you a settlement right away, but there is no guarantee that this offer will reflect your needs or your case’s true value. If you accept this offer -and typically you would be asked to sign a release if you do accept the offer- you will be unable to ask for more later.
  • Insurers sometimes take an extended period of time to respond to your claim or other communications. They hope that, by dragging out your case, you will become frustrated and settle fast.
These insurers have often dealt with countless legal actions before, giving them an advantage over accident victims who are in significant pain and have little legal experience. If you try to confront them alone, they will almost certainly try to use their experience against you. Instead of speaking to the insurers by yourself, let an attorney do it for you. Our legal team knows how to communicate with insurance adjusters and attorneys, and we are not intimidated by their tactics.

Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today

Why Hiring a Bike Accident Lawyer Is a Good Idea

After a crash, you have a lot on your mind, from receiving treatment to figuring out when you will return to work. If you try to take on the additional burden of filing a legal action on your own, there is too great a risk that you will run into:
  • Confusing laws or regulations that, if not followed, could put your case in jeopardy
  • Insurance companies that deliberately try to mislead you about your rights or the value of your case
  • Lengthy negotiations with the insurer to persuade them to pay what you need
Hiring our legal team provides you with the support and resources to get through these and other challenges. We will:
  • Keep you updated about what is happening with your case and what we are doing to keep things moving smoothly.
  • Tell you who the liable party is so you know who owes you compensation and, therefore, who the target of your legal action should be.
  • Handle all communications with everyone involved in the case, and ensure you do not need to have direct contact with the person who hurt you.
  • Gather evidence that proves who was negligent and that your injuries were a direct result of that negligence.
  • Determine your case’s value so you will not end up accepting an insufficient settlement offer without realizing it.
  • Tell you which insurance policies might cover your bike accident, because this matter can be complicated, and you do not want to waste time filing claims with insurers who are unable to help you.
It is a mistake to try to manage everything by yourself: the legal process is very involved, and it is all too easy to make an error that puts your case at risk. You benefit from our training and experience when you choose to let us guide you through this process.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now

Let Our Bicycle Injury Lawyers Handle Your Bicycle Accident Case

With over a century of combined experience, Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., knows the four mistakes to avoid after a bicycle accident and the potential consequences of making those mistakes. Call us today for a free consultation.

Call or text (516) 932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form