Legal Steps To Take After A Bicycle Accident
Over the past decade, social and economic forces have caused cycling to experience a new renaissance. As more young professionals choose to leave the suburbs behind in favor of urban living, bicycles and e-bikes have become a primary form of transportation for both work and pleasure. Riding cautiously, wearing protective gear and use of safety lights can help minimize incidents and injuries, but will not guarantee your safety.
The surge in popularity has some significant drawbacks, as it coincides with a major spike in unsafe driving practices. The number of preventable deaths from bicycle-related accidents has increased a full 47% over the past decade, much of which comes from sharing the road with passenger cars and buses.
Thanks to their far smaller profile on the road, careless drivers often fail to notice or accommodate cyclists. When this carelessness is combined with unsafe driving practices like speeding or driving under the influence, the inevitable accidents can result in devastating injuries.
Injuries And Impact
Cycling accidents can result in a range of severe injuries, from fractures and broken bones to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Similar to motorcycles, riders have minimal mechanical protection, making them particularly vulnerable to the force of a collision with a motor vehicle.
The short and long-term impact of these injuries can be life-altering. Victims may face months or even years of recovery, during which medical expenses for surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care can pile up quickly.
In addition to the expenses piling on, many injuries can result in long periods in which the victim is unable to work, resulting in lost wages and even opportunities for career advancement. This can lead to a compounding financial effect where the victim is dug deeper into a hole without the means to climb out of it.
Given the significant financial and personal consequences, it is vital that victims receive compensation that truly reflects the extent of their injuries and suffering. However, getting this compensation is often a complex and frustrating process due to uncooperative insurance providers.
Problems With Insurance
Dealing with insurance companies can be one of the most frustrating aspects of a cycling accident claim. Many claims will result in the need to negotiate a settlement with the insurer, which can be an arduous and frustrating process. This is compounded by the fact that insurers have many experienced negotiators on staff who are incentivized to minimize payouts.
Buying insurance is ostensibly meant to protect you from the myriad damages incurred in road accidents. In practice, however, insurance companies are often more interested in protecting their bottom line than helping victims.
This leads to attempts to deny claims outright or offer settlements far below what the victim is entitled to. Uncooperative insurance adjusters may argue that the accident was partially or entirely the cyclist’s fault or downplay the extent of injuries to minimize the payout.
Gathering Evidence
Gathering evidence is crucial in the aftermath of a cycling incident to ensure the victim receives reasonable compensation. This evidence can help make a stronger case during negotiations with insurance companies or in litigation proceedings if the claim is brought to trial.
Key pieces of evidence include accident scene photos, police reports, medical records, and witness statements. Traffic and surveillance cameras may also capture the incident, providing crucial visual proof of what occurred.
However, collecting the necessary evidence can be overwhelming, especially for individuals recovering from serious injuries. The average person doesn’t know what kind of evidence will help them prove their claim, and if they do, they are unlikely to know how to procure that evidence.
Without proper representation and little hope of collecting the evidence necessary to mount an effective position, victims may feel pressured to accept lowball offers just to cover immediate expenses. In these cases, having legal assistance can make all the difference.
Collecting evidence and using it when negotiating with insurers requires experience and a deep understanding of personal injury law—something that most accident victims are not equipped to handle on their own. That is why it is highly recommended that cycling accident victims get in contact with a personal injury law firm as soon as possible.
Why You Should Use the Services of a Personal Injury Firm
Personal injury lawyers like Villasenor Law Firm specialize in evaluating accidents, determining liability, and ensuring that clients receive fair compensation for their losses. This means that your attorney will handle every aspect of your claim for you, including gathering evidence, negotiating settlements, and even taking your case to court.
When gathering evidence, a personal injury firm will conduct a thorough investigation on your behalf. They will gather medical records and billing, loss of income documentation, contact witnesses, obtain surveillance footage, if available, and compile all necessary documentation to build a strong case
Evidence in hand, Villasenor Law Offices can provide powerful advocacy for clients during negotiations with insurers. They understand the tactics insurers use to deny or reduce claims and are prepared to counter these strategies effectively, ensuring that you receive a settlement that covers the entirety of your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
If negotiations fail to reach a fair settlement, a personal injury lawyer is also prepared to take the case to court. They will present your evidence before a judge and jury, advocating for the compensation you deserve.
E-bikes and cycling offer an efficient, fun, and eco-friendly way to get around town, but a single wrong move from a careless driver can result in potentially life-altering injuries. By hiring a qualified personal injury lawyer, however, you can ensure that you can emerge from the accident with your life and finances intact. Call today!
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