Bike Accident Attorneys Pursuing Full Compensation
When a car hits a bike rider, there is little question about who will receive the worst injuries. Best case scenario: the bike rider walks away from the bicycle accident with bumps and bruises. All too often though, they are left with serious injuries, including broken bones, road rash, damaged internal organs, spinal injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
At Glenda Mitchell Law Firm, our attorneys stand up for injured bicyclists. We will diligently pursue your bicycle accident claim to help you get the compensation you need.
What Should I Do After A Bicycle Accident?
A bicycle accident is not very different from a motor vehicle accident. Bicycles are legally vehicles, of course. After a bike accident, you should immediately:
- Contact the police to ensure there is an official report of the accident
- Exchange insurance information with the driver
- Seek medical attention, even if you think you are not injured
- Document the damages and injuries, if possible, with photos
Contacting a personal injury lawyer dedicated to handling bicycle accident claims can also help ease the stress of your recovery process. When you enlist us, we will take on the work of dealing with the insurance company and helping you get maximum compensation.
What Needs To Be Proven To Recover Compensation In A Bike Accident Claim?
To obtain compensation, you or your lawyer must prove:
- You followed all traffic laws
- You were less than 50% responsible for the accident
- The motorist had a duty to the cyclist to drive safely
- The motorist’s negligence caused the accident
- The negligence resulted in serious personal injury
Our lawyers have the skill to conduct the investigation needed to prove all of these elements, working with experts as needed. We are thorough in our evidence collection so we can present a compelling argument for maximum compensation when negotiating with the insurance company, and we can take that argument to court if the insurance company is not willing to do what is right.
What Is The Value Of My Bicycle Accident Claim?
Full compensation for a bike accident claim would include money for all past and future expenses that resulted from the injuries. While past expenses are fairly straightforward to calculate, future expenses are less so. In fact, they are often overlooked and that is why many settlement offers are too low. When our lawyers are calculating the value of your bicycle accident claim, we will add up:
- Medical bills: This includes your ambulance ride bill, your emergency room bill, any surgery costs as well as potential costs for future doctor appointments or physical therapy.
- Lost wages: This includes all the wages you have already lost, as well as those you may lose in the future. For example, if you cannot return to your previous job because of your injuries or cannot work at all, all of those lost future wages should be included.
- Pain and suffering: This is a complex legal concept that puts a dollar value on the physical and emotional pain you experienced as a result of being hit by a car while riding your bike.
When you are offered a settlement from an insurance company, keep in mind that you do not have to immediately accept it. You can have an attorney review it for free to determine if it is fair. You can reject it if you think it is too low. However, if you do accept the settlement check for your bike accident claim, you may not be able to request additional funds from the insurance carrier later.
What If My Bicycle Accident Did Not Involve Being Hit By A Car?
Not all bike accidents involve a collision between a car and a bicycle. In some cases, the bicycle rider may swerve to avoid a negligent driver’s car and collide with another object, or may be forced by the negligent driver to lay down their bike in order to avoid a collision with the vehicle. The driver of the car may still be liable in these cases and the injured bicyclist may still be entitled to compensation.
There are other forms of bike accidents as well. Two bikes may collide, or a bicyclist and a pedestrian may collide. They could even involve hazardous conditions such as potholes. It is up to the city to maintain sidewalks, roads and bike trails. So, if your bike accident was the result of poor municipal maintenance, then the city could be at fault for your injuries.
Contact Us Today For A Free Consultation
Call us as soon as you can after a bicycle accident. For a free consultation with our attorney in Georgia, call our Cartersville office at 678-721-0417. In Alabama, call our Auburn office at 334-604-7927. In South Carolina, call our Greenville office at 864-326-3073, or use our convenient online form to make the appointment.