If you have ever been hit by a car on your bicycle or otherwise fallen off your bike, you know that it can cause serious injuries, from broken limbs to a facial fracture or neck injuries. The bones and cartilage in the face, particularly the nose, the bones around the eye, and the lower jaw, can all be seriously injured in a bicycle accident.
If you are a victim of a facial injury or facial fracture after a bicycle accident, you deserve every penny of compensation that is owed to you. Contact one of our bike accident injury lawyers at Sally Morin to get started on claiming what you are owed.
Types of Facial Injuries
When people fall off their bikes, their first instinct is usually to send out their arms or hands to try and break their fall. But if they break their arm or miss, the face is probably the next thing that will collide with the ground. And that could permanently damage teeth, the skin, or the bone structure of the face.
Here are some of the most common types of facial injuries after a bicycle accident:
- Broken nose (this is the most common injury after facial trauma)
- Frontal bone or forehead injury
- Eye injuries
- Broken cheekbone
- Orbital fractures – injuries to the upper and lower eye socket or optic nerve
- Mid-face bone breaks – bridge of the nose, the bones under the eye, and parts of the upper jaw
- The lower jaw
What to Do After Suffering Facial Trauma in a Bike Accident
As soon as your accident happens, there are steps you can and should take in order to have the information you need to make a successful compensation claim. Once you and everyone involved are safe, and if you are physically able, take down some important information about the event.
- Contact 911 even if you think you don’t need to. The paramedics can assess you and diagnose any injuries that you might not be able to feel or see due to the adrenaline rush you may be feeling after the accident. Give police officers who arrive a detailed description of what happened. These details will go into the collision report.
- Take pictures of your bike, the car that hit you, and the surrounding area. Document any broken mirrors, cracked windshields, and dented hoods. Take pictures of your injuries, your clothing, and your helmet.
- Check for security cameras nearby. If your accident was captured on one of them, that may be important evidence for your claim.
- Ask for contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened.
- Be mindful of what you say. Don’t claim to be uninjured or admit fault, even if you think you believe these circumstances to be true. These statements can be used against you later in a lawsuit.
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor and follow all of their recommendations.
- Keep any damaged personal items, including your bike and clothing you were wearing during the accident.
You never know how much your life will be affected by your accident, sometimes well after the fact. Collecting this evidence as soon as possible is crucial for building the best possible case.
Compensation Available for Facial Fractures
There are many factors that determine the final settlement after a bicycle accident involving a facial injury:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Costs of a disability created by a bike accident
- Past and future lost income
- Costs of repairs for or replacement of the bicycle
- Wrongful death benefits.
- If someone dies in a bike accident, wrongful death benefits may include money for a funeral, leftover medical bills, and replacing the income the deceased can no longer provide.
Contact a San Francisco Bike Accident Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one have sustained a facial fracture or facial injury in a bike accident, you have up to two years to file an accident claim. But of course, you should take action as quickly as possible.
Contact Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers today. We’re a caring, compassionate, and experienced team of California bike accident injury lawyers. We’ll help you pursue the settlement you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and much more. Call 877-380-8852 today and request a free case evaluation.
