What Does a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Do?

There are countless ways a bicycle accident can happen. For example, perhaps a driver failed to make a complete stop at a stop sign or was unable to look for a bicyclist before making a turn.

No matter how a bicycle accident happened, more importantly is what is left in their wake. Each year in California, over 100 bicyclists are killed and more than 10,000 are injured in collisions.

For those that survive, bicycle accidents leave victims with mounting medical bills, loss of wages, and serious injuries–some permanent.

An experienced bicycle lawyer assists victims of these catastrophic accidents to recover fair compensation and help their clients get the compensation they deserve.

Why Do I Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

In most cases, a bicycle accident lawyer helps clients secure more compensation to cover their losses. Additionally, representation shields you from allegations of shared liability or that you were somehow at fault for the accident.

Insurance Companies

Bicycle accidents resulting in injuries require dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies usually try to pay as little as possible to settle a case. However, these compensation offers may barely tap the surface and adequately compensate you for your losses.

Some insurance companies may delay responding to your claim. In the meantime, your medical expenses keep growing, and your paychecks keep dwindling. This strategy attempts to force you to settle so you can get any compensation to help you.

Your attorney knows all the tricks an insurance company may play. They also negotiate on your behalf to secure a favorable settlement that adequately covers your needs–and in some cases, even more.

Experience

Bicycle accident cases differ significantly from accidents involving vehicles and bicycles. A bicycle accident lawyer understands the nuance of the laws regarding bicycle accidents. Additionally, these lawyers recognize bicycle riders are more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries than victims of other accidents.

A bicycle accident attorney prepares for any path your case may take, including trial or settlement negotiations.

It may understandably feel overwhelming to attempt understanding court procedure, investigating and gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies, all while recovering from injuries after your accident.

According to Glotzer & Leib, LLP bicycle accident attorney assists with all this while working to obtain a favorable settlement or compensatory award for you.

How Much is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?

The values of bicycle accidents vary from case to case. A bicycle accident attorney analyzes the following factors to determine a value for your case, including:

• The severity of injuries,
• The cost of medical treatment,
• Whether injuries are ongoing or permanent,
• Lost wages, and
• Pain and suffering and emotional harm.

Each case requires your attorney to investigate these factors carefully before calculating an average value for your case for settlement and trial purposes.

What to Do After a Bike Accident

It may be impossible to think clearly after being hit by a car while on a bicycle. However, after an accident, taking these steps may favorably impact the outcome of your claim.

• Contact law enforcement. Request the police to report to the scene of the accident. Provide the police officer with a clear statement of the events as you remember them. The officer also interviews the driver to obtain their account of the events. These recollections go into an accident report. An accident report is an invaluable tool as it provides unbiased views of the reporting police officer.
• Get the driver’s contact information. Be sure to exchange information with the driver, including their name, contact information, and insurance details. Do not discuss fault with anyone at the scene.
• Seek medical attention. Many injuries present themselves in the hours, days, and weeks following an accident. Even if you believe you escaped your accident unscathed, seek medical attention anyway. Obtaining a complete medical record of your injuries is the best way to ensure proper compensation.
• Preserve and document evidence. Take photographs of the scene, your bicycle, and the vehicle. Write down your memories of the accident as soon as possible.

Taking these precautions helps put you in a better position when fighting for compensation after suffering injuries and other damages. Your bicycle accident attorney uses this information to build a strong case on your behalf.