Definitly lawyer up and pronto. Also, your car insurance MIGHT cover you on your bike. My injury attny says my State Farm would. At any rate, the driver's insurance will. But there's a sizable settlement to be properly negotiated and handled here. In short, the driver's PIP will cover ALL your medical expenses, then, there will be an injury settlement seperate from that. The settlement won't be for a while- you should be medically stable prior to initiating the settlement process, partly so that you actually know to what degree, and what degree of permanence, you have been injured. You don't know that yet.
DO NOT talk to the other side's claims adjuster. When you talk to the other side's PIP adjuster, be aware they are recording everything you say and can and will use it against you. Never let the words "it feels pretty good" come out of your mouth when talking to these people. In fact, don't talk to them. Let your lawyer do that.
DO pursue every single iota of medical care suggested by any medical professional. Every imaging session, every PT session, specialists, everything. This is the one time in your medical life that you want EVERYTHING on the record; you want to pursue everything. It costs you NOTHING, and it all adds to the solidity of your eventual settlement claim. As well as the health of your knee going forward! You have to live with this knee the rest of your life. Dunno how old you are, but at 48, I feel every significant injury I've ever had. This knee will likely never be the same. Be PISSED! Act accordingly.
There's real money at stake here. My brother got hit on a bike and broke his collarbone, requiring surgery. $50k settlement. I think yours will be in that range AT LEAST if you take care of business. Likely more as a knee is weight-bearing and you are an avid cyclist (IE, your knee health is crucial to you)... And again, that's completely seperate from the medical you are getting- or rather should be getting, you dufus <grin>- right now.
Lawyer up pronto and get ye to the doctor.
I just went through an injury settlement. PM me if you have any questions, or better yet, ask your lawyer.
