Biking undoubtedly has many benefits, but unfortunately, being on the road comes with its dangers. Just like motorists and pedestrians, bicyclists face the danger of a crash.
Because of the limited protection offered on a bike, these accidents can be extremely serious, resulting in severe or even life-long injuries.
A Dalton bicycle accident lawyer can help the victim of a wreck through their financial recovery while they manage their physical recovery. It can be a challenge to manage all the forefronts of your healing process after a crash, but having an attorney can provide peace of mind that experienced professionals are looking out for your best financial interests.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is dedicated to serving members of the Dalton community through cases like yours. An initial consultation in Dalton is completely free and comes with no obligation to commit to our services.
Call (706) 307-4676 or contact us online to schedule a case review with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Dalton today.
A Dalton Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help Maximize Settlement Recovery
You can suffer extensive damages in a bicycle accident, most notably the costs of medical treatment. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney in Dalton can provide you with the legal resources to determine who is at fault and, thereby, responsible for your injury costs.
Professional case management can also help the victim of a bicycle accident maximize their final settlement by providing:
- Evidence preservation: Reporting a claim and submitting related evidence is a time-sensitive process, and some documentation may even be lost if not managed properly at an early stage. Damage reports, surveillance footage, and “black box” data of certain vehicles are important pieces of evidence, albeit ones that may be destroyed if not obtained in a timely manner.
- Treatment resources: Many accidents will leave the victim with lasting injuries that require continued treatment, like physical rehabilitation or occupational therapy. This care can be difficult to find while moving through the process of an insurance claim, but your attorney may be able to help ensure that you find comprehensive treatment for your injuries.
- Liability investigation: Alongside the representing insurance company, your attorney will conduct an independent investigation into the events of the crash, related evidence, and liability claims. This investigation will help build an accurate estimation of damages for your lawyer to present during negotiations and prevent the threat of your claim being undervalued.
- Legal insights: Lawyers regularly educate themselves on updated statutes, regulations, and precedents to follow. An attorney’s legal insights can help guide an accident victim through important decisions; your lawyer can provide unbiased information and advocate for your best interests while you face your options for financial recovery.
- Negotiation representation: An attorney can manage most communication with the liable party’s insurer and any other representatives involved. The final negotiation is perhaps the most impactful conversation that affects the outcome of your claim, and your attorney will be prepared to combat any lowball offers and redirect the conversation toward a realistic conclusion.
What Are The Steps To Settling A Dalton Bicycle Accident Case?
The steps for filing and settling an insurance claim are as follows:
- Report the damage
- Document the scene
- Investigation process
- Submit a list of damages
- Review settlement offer
In the event a traditional insurance claim does not cover the comprehensive value of a victim’s damages, they may continue with a lawsuit.
A Dalton bicycle accident attorney can represent a victim through the following steps of litigation:
- Case evaluation
- Pre-litigation investigation
- Submitting a demand letter
- Filing the lawsuit and service of process
- Discovery phase
- Mediation
- Trial
How Do Most Bicycle Accidents Happen?
While every bicycle accident is unique, many share common factors, such as:
- Crash with motor vehicles: Motorists pose the greatest threat to bicyclists. Even though there are designated spaces for both vehicles on the road, these accidents are common and especially dangerous for the biker due to their lack of protection from serious injuries. For example, a driver may swerve into the bike lane or fail to yield to a cyclist at an intersection, causing an accident. In 2010, bicyclist fatalities caused by crashes with motor vehicles reached an all-time low but have since increased by more than 50% for victims over 20.
- Door accidents: When a cyclist is riding alongside a parking space, and the vehicle occupant fails to see the oncoming biker as they open their car door, it can create a seriously threatening collision. In such cases, the car door may detach completely due to the impact, and the biker will end up tumbling forward.
- Intersections: An intersection is a dangerous spot for pedestrians and bikers because if a motorist fails to yield to their right of way, there is no safety net to offset the force of impact. A driver can misjudge a bicyclist’s speed and distance, assuming that they have enough time to squeeze through, and end up causing a crash.
- Poor visibility: In low-light conditions like fog or nighttime, a bicyclist may be harder to spot on the road. Proper lights and reflective gear are always recommended for bicyclists who plan on riding in conditions with poor visibility. While it is the motorist’s job to yield to the right-of-way of pedestrians and cyclists, it is their job to make themselves known.
- Road hazards: Drivers on the road are not the only threat to bicyclists. Poor road maintenance — potholes, debris, and uneven pavement — can all lead to serious crashes that result in painful injuries. Most debris in the road gets pushed to the edge of the curb, which is generally where bicyclists ride, and it is the city’s responsibility to keep these spaces safe. However, this isn’t always the case, and the resulting debris can make a relaxing ride through the community feel like an obstacle course.
- Mechanical failures: Just like cars, bikes can experience mechanical failures like a tire blowout, chain malfunction, or brake failure. All of these will create a sudden halt in momentum, creating a loss of balance and, ultimately, an accident for the bicyclist. Some mechanical failures are due to manufacturing errors or improper installation, but they can also be the result of neglected maintenance.
How Is Negligence Determined in a Bicycle Accident Case?
When building a foundation for the legal arguments that support your case, your attorney will use the following data:
- Evidence: To establish negligence and proceed with your claim for reimbursement of damages, your attorney will assess a variety of evidence and documentation related to your accident. Medical records, police reports, and insurance policy information are just a few of the most important pieces of evidence that your attorney will carefully review.
- Legal standards and precedents: The cases that came before yours will set the standards and rules by which your claim may be impacted. In comparative negligence states like Georgia, certain past precedents can help weigh responsibility.
- Professional evaluation: The help of a reconstruction analyst, mechanical engineer, or medical professional can provide critical insight when determining negligence in a bicycle accident. When you work with an attorney, they can help you understand if the help of these professionals is necessary and then go about retaining the outside support.
What Evidence Is Applicable for My Claim?
An insurance company and your attorney may utilize a combination of the following types of evidence to paint a clearer picture of your accident:
- Traffic cameras
- Dash/helmet cams
- Witness statements
- Photos and videos
- Medical reports
- Vehicle damage
- Reconstruction analysis
- Cell phone records
Common Injuries Sustained After a Bicycle Accident
While biking is a fun hobby for the whole family, it can be dangerous. In the U.S., nearly 130,000 bicyclists are injured in crashes on the roads every year.
A bicyclist will have less protection from the impact of an accident compared to a traditional motorist, leading to common injuries such as:
- Head injuries
- Face injuries
- Road rash/burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Psychological trauma
What Damages Can I Recover From a Bicycle Accident in Dalton?
To financially recover from the damages related to your accident, a final settlement may include reimbursement for a combination of the following:
- Medical expenses, present and future
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Wrongful death
Reach out to a Dalton Bicycle Accident Law Firm for Representation Through Financial Recovery
The help of an experienced bicycle accident attorney is a phone call away. Having a lawyer can provide peace of mind and security for the soundness of your damage claim.
While traditional motor vehicle collisions often result in more expensive property damages, bicycle accidents can leave the victim with serious injuries. Bills like medical expenses can continue accumulating even after a settlement is distributed, so an attorney will advocate for your financial well-being in the present and future.
The upcoming injury claims process may lead to questions and nerve-wracking concerns, so The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is here to help provide some clarity. You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Dalton bicycle accident lawyer today when you call (706) 307-4676 or contact us online.
