How Soon Should I See a Doctor After My Bicycle Accident?

How soon do you need to see a doctor after a bicycle accident? The truth is that you may not know how badly injured you are. Even if you don’t believe you were seriously hurt, you should still seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

By getting a checkup promptly after a bike crash, you accomplish more than protecting yourself from the long-term consequences of leaving injuries untreated. You will also help preserve your legal options if you need to file a personal injury claim later.

Do I Need to Go to the Hospital or ER After a Bike Accident?

If you suffered severe or life-threatening injuries in a bicycle accident, you should go to the emergency room right away. If you have minor wounds but your injuries don’t seem serious, or you don’t feel injured at all, you might go to urgent care instead of the hospital. In either situation, it’s vital to seek medical attention, both for your health and your legal case.

Why Should I See a Doctor After My Bicycle Accident?

If you know you sustained injuries in a bicycle accident, it’s common sense to consult a doctor. A physician can conduct a physical exam and order tests or treatments to put you on the best path to healing. Make sure to inform the doctor your injuries happened because of a bike crash.

There are other reasons why you should seek medical treatment after a bicycle accident, even if you feel fine:

• You may have hidden injuries, such as a concussion or internal bleeding, that could cause serious complications without proper diagnosis and treatment.
• Seeing a doctor creates a medical record documenting your injuries and linking them to the bike crash. This will strengthen your position during settlement negotiations with the insurance company.

If you don’t seek treatment right away, the insurance company may dispute your case, arguing that you weren’t hurt in the bicycle accident and any symptoms you developed later were caused by another event or pre-existing condition. Seeing a doctor immediately can counter their argument and provide evidence that the injury was due to the wreck.

An insurance settlement should cover a good portion of your medical expenses, if not all of them. This means you shouldn’t have to pay any outstanding medical bills or for future care if you win your case. To optimize your chance of recovering maximum compensation, speak to a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact our Roanoke bicycle accident lawyer today.

What Are Some Symptoms of Injuries That May Not Be Visible at First?

Some bicycle accident injuries will not be apparent right away, either because adrenaline masks them at the time of the accident or because they develop over time. Symptoms of these hidden injuries include:

• Dizziness
• Blurry vision
• Headaches
• Sleepiness or insomnia
• Mood swings
• Numbness, tingling, or pain in the neck and back
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Radiating pain down the arms and legs
• Emotional changes like anxiety and depression

Some delayed-onset injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, can cause life-changing disabilities. Psychological trauma can interfere with your ability to enjoy your life and past hobbies like bicycling. If you seek help right away and your caregiver identifies your injuries, you have a better chance of avoiding the worst of those consequences.

What Are Common Injuries from a Bicycle Accident?

Common injuries from a bicycle accident include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injury
• Facial and dental injuries
• Abdominal injuries
• Chest injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck, back, or shoulder injuries
• Abrasions and lacerations
• Road rash, leading to serious and infected wounds
• Amputation from crush injuries

How Long Can It Take to Recover from a Bicycle Accident?

The recovery time after a bike crash depends on the type and severity of your injuries. Minor injuries usually heal within a few weeks. Whiplash generally takes around three weeks, but according to the Mayo Clinic, pain can sometimes last for years. Soft-tissue injuries will usually heal in six to eight weeks. Physical therapy can improve your recovery time for these types of soft-tissue injuries.

Broken bones may need months to a year for a full recovery, especially when fractures are complex and the victim needs rehabilitation to restore function. Severe injuries can take longer or never fully heal. For example, a traumatic brain injury can cause lifelong complications and neurological disorders that prevent a person from moving, speaking, and living independently.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Crashes in Virginia?

After a bicycle accident, you deserve compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses if a negligent party is at fault. A Virginia bicycle accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Bicycle accidents fall under the umbrella of personal injury law in Virginia. State law limits the amount of time you have to take legal action. The statute of limitations for filing a bicycle accident lawsuit in Virginia is two years from the date of the crash. However, cases and deadlines involving government entities work differently. Enlisting the help of an experienced bicycle accident lawyer immediately is crucial to protect your right to compensation.

Contact a Virginia Bicycle Accident Lawyer Now

Lichtenstein Law Group PLC is a proven Virginia personal injury law firm with an impressive track record of success, including a $1.5 million settlement for the husband of a bicyclist hit and killed by a distracted driver in Troutville. No lawyer can guarantee results in a particular case, but when you work with us, you can feel confident you have an attorney who knows the complexities of bicycle accident claims and how to build a strong case.

With over 100 years of combined experience, our highly skilled personal injury lawyers thrive on the challenge of presenting a persuasive argument to a jury in the most complex cases. Preparing meticulously to take a case to trial is the most effective way to negotiate from a position of strength. For effective, trusted, and accomplished legal representation, contact Lichtenstein Law Group PLC for a free consultation.