Bicycling is a popular recreational activity and mode of transportation for many. However, bicycle accidents and crashes are unfortunately common.
If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident, it’s important to consider working with a bicycle accident lawyer.
As experts in personal injury law, bicycle accident lawyers can help injured cyclists understand their legal options and protect their rights after a crash.
Contents
What to Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident
The priority after any accident is seeking necessary medical treatment. However, there are also important details to document right away that can help your case down the road if you work with a bicycle accident lawyer.
Furthermore, most states have statutes of limitations for filing injury claims, so timely action is critical.
Some key things to do as soon as safely possible include: calling emergency services if anyone is injured, getting contact information from all drivers/witnesses involved or who saw the accident, taking pictures of the accident scene and any vehicles/property damage, and getting contact details for the police if they file a report.
You’ll want to report all relevant details to a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible so they can investigate.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Many bicycle accidents are avoidable but result from careless or reckless driving. Some all-too-common causes that may give rise to legal liability include:
- Driver distraction (texting, adjusting audio/GPS, etc.)- Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents with cyclists.
- Failure to yield- Drivers who do not give the right of way or look out for bikes at intersections can cause collisions.
- Unsafe passing- When drivers fail to allow sufficient clearance or pass too closely at high speeds.
- Dooring- When a car door is opened into the bike lane, striking the cyclist.
- Aggressive or impaired driving- Speeding, running red lights, and impaired driving all increase risks to bicyclists.
Working with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer cases can provide invaluable guidance on potential liability and building a strong claim against at-fault parties.
Types of Injuries from Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle crashes often result in serious and sometimes long-term injuries due to the vulnerability of cyclists compared to protected vehicle occupants.
A bicyclist without a helmet or other protective gear is at high risk of head trauma. Common injury types include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (concussions, hemorrhages, etc.) which can impact long-term cognitive function.
- Broken bones such as fractures of the arm, leg, collarbone, pelvis, or spine from impact.
- Spinal cord injuries from high-force impacts leading to paralysis.
- Soft tissue injuries like tears to muscles and ligaments in the knee are also prevalent in bike wrecks.
- Road rash and wounds from being dragged or thrown from the bike at high speeds.
The severity of injuries sustained in a bicycle collision will influence the type and amount of damages sought through the legal process with a bicycle accident lawyer.
How a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
For those injured in bicycle accidents, working with an attorney focuses on recovery and resolving issues. Some key ways a bicycle accident lawyer can offer assistance include:
- Investigating the accident scene and gathering evidence to determine liability. Bicycle accident lawyers subpoena records and interview witnesses.
- Filing injury claims and, if necessary, lawsuits against negligent parties (drivers, cities/towns) on behalf of injured cyclists.
- Negotiating insurance settlements and recovering compensation for medical bills, lost wages, long-term care costs, and pain/suffering damages.
- Guiding clients through the legal process and communicating with insurance adjustors or opposing counsel.
- Retaining expert witnesses like accident reconstructionists, physicians, and economists to support damages in complex or serious injury cases.
- Advocating for the rights and priorities of injured cyclists, as emotional state and focus on recovery take priority in the aftermath of trauma.
The experienced bicycle accident lawyers at [Law Firm Name] understand the unique needs of cyclist clients.
They fight to hold negligent parties accountable so clients can focus their full attention on treatment and getting back to normal activities. A free case evaluation with a lawyer can ensure rights are protected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accident Claims
Here are answers to some common questions people have when considering hiring a bicycle accident attorney:
Question: What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Answer: Most states follow comparative negligence laws where multiple parties can share fault. Lawyers ensure clients are not penalized more than their percentage of responsibility.
Question: How long do I have to file a claim?
Answer: Statutes of limitations for personal injury claims vary by state but are typically 2-3 years. Getting help from an attorney right away preserves all legal options.
Question: Will I have to pay attorney fees?
Answer: Contingency fee agreements mean clients pay nothing unless the case is successfully resolved through settlement or verdict. Accident lawyers only get paid a portion (typically 33-40%) of proceeds recovered.
Question: How much can I expect to recover?
Answer: Compensation amounts depend greatly on individual circumstances and injuries. Bicycle lawyers calculate expenses, lost income, and intangible damages to pursue the maximum financial recovery possible.
Question: Does it make sense if the claim value is small?
Answer: Even minor crashes leading to ER visits or ongoing issues can merit pursuing reimbursement through an experienced accident attorney. They efficiently handle any size of the claim.
An initial free consultation with a trusted local bicycle accident law firm allows injured cyclists to learn more about options to consider after an accident. Asking questions helps them make the best choice for their situation.
In Summary
In summary, seeking legal counsel from a seasoned bicycle accident attorney provides numerous advantages to injured cyclists pursuing financial recovery and closure after a crash.
Their guidance helps navigate insurance issues and holds negligent parties accountable while focusing full attention on recovery.
Timely action preserves all rights and potentially strengthens compensation for injuries and losses.
