Known as “The End of the Santa Fe Trail”, El Monte is the perfect city for cyclists looking for an urban escape in natural surroundings. However, like anywhere else in the country, pedaling along its streets is always a risky adventure. Accidents happen frequently, and it’s often the cyclists who pay the price. If you were injured on the road, turn to our El Monte bicycle accident attorneys to discuss your options. 

We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to request a free initial consultation.  

Do I Need a Personal Injury Journal? 

From logging the pain you experience to keeping track of your medication side effects, a personal injury journal can be an invaluable asset in your fight for a fair settlement. Your attorney may rely on your entries to prove a wide range of different losses such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment in life. 

Let’s look at some of the information you should include in your journal:

• Pain Levels: If you experience pain, you should immediately make an entry logging the time and describing the type, severity, and duration of the sensation. In California, personal injury victims have a right to seek compensation for the agony they’ve endured because of their injuries. As such, your attorney may use such entries to help contextualize your medical records and give a judge or jury insight into how your condition has affected your mental and physical well-being. 

• Limitations: Are you unable to tackle tasks that you were able to do prior to the accident? A serious injury can limit you in countless ways, making it difficult to take care of the household, prepare meals, or even enjoy your hobbies. This can ultimately have a detrimental effect on your quality of life. Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation for the cost of bringing in someone else—a family member, friend, or professional—to oversee such tasks.  

• Medication Side Effects: If you were prescribed medication to treat the symptoms of your injuries, you should log any side effects you’ve experienced in your journal. Make sure to describe these complications in detail. It’s possible that the insurer may attribute some of these side effects to your own negligence, so these entries could help your attorney counter disputes. 

What Evidence Could Help Prove Fault in My Case? 

If you’re planning to seek damages after an accident, you may be wondering how to build a convincing case. On the surface, preparing a personal injury claim might seem straightforward. However, you will need to gather strong evidence to mitigate disputes, so it’s important to leave no stone unturned in these early stages. 

At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we have the knowledge, resources, and experience to succeed in even the most complex cases. Not only can we guide you through the weeks ahead, but we can also help investigate the accident and gather the proof you will need to prove liability and damages. 

Let’s look at a few types of evidence your attorney might use to show fault:

• Surveillance Camera Footage: Many commercial properties are outfitted with surveillance cameras that are running almost 24/7. As such, if the accident happened in a public setting, it’s possible that one of these cameras may have recorded footage of what took place. Your attorney might be able to use such footage to help you prove liability. 

• Eyewitness Statements: Anyone who saw the accident happen may be able to help corroborate your version of events. If you are physically able to do so, you should take down the names and phone numbers of eyewitnesses immediately after the accident. Your attorney may want to contact these individuals to decide whether their deposition could help support your claim. 

• Photographs of the Accident Scene: In a personal injury case, a picture isn’t just worth a thousand words, it could tell the whole story. As such, you should use your smartphone to take photographs of the wreckage immediately after the accident. Your attorney and/or an accident reconstruction expert may be able to use such images to figure out what happened and who might be liable for your injuries. You should also take pictures of your injuries as these photographs could help tie your condition to the accident and provide context to your medical records. 

Schedule a Free Case Consultation with an El Monte Bicycle Accident Attorney 

Between the medical costs, lost income, and other unexpected expenses, a serious bicycle wreck can leave you dangling by a thread. At HPIL, we are here to help. Our attorneys can review your case as part of a free consultation and explain how we can assist in your fight for a fair settlement. Reach out to us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or head over to our online contact form HERE to request a free case assessment.