Cycling offers many benefits but also poses many dangers because of the carelessness of others on the road. In a second, you could find yourself injured in a serious accident, with medical bills, missed work income, and other expenses piling up.
Fortunately, you have legal options. With the help of an attorney, you can pursue a claim against all at-fault parties for every cent of losses they have inflicted.
The aftermath of a bicycle accident can be overwhelming, but the ride can get a lot smoother with The CEO Lawyer Law Firm. Our team has years of experience helping victims like you through their financial recovery journey after an accident.
At The CEO Lawyer Law Firm, we are committed to serving each of our clients with passion and comprehensive care, just as if you were a member of our own families. We’ll map out the process of your claim, help you understand your best course of action, and be there to answer any questions along the way.
Don’t fight this battle alone when The CEO Lawyer can help. To schedule a no-obligation consultation, call (770) 525-9098 or contact us online today.
How Can a Lawrenceville Bicycle Accident Attorney Help Me?
Biking is a popular hobby that can even preserve cardiovascular health and promote general wellness, but such a compact vehicle can’t protect you from injury in the case of an accident. On average, over 130,000 bicyclists report being injured in an accident every year.
This is not a record high, either. In fact, it is a 4% decrease from just a few decades ago when helmets weren’t widely common.
The process that ultimately follows an accident can be frightening to manage, but it doesn’t have to be. Almost everything is scarier when you go through it alone, and the same is to be said about an accident.
Insurers expect victims to go in blind and trust the process, but unfortunately, trust doesn’t always buy the victim the true extent of compensation they need to recover fully. To show an insurer or negligent party that you mean business when it comes to your recovery, an attorney can be your ally.
The services of a bicycle accident attorney may vary from case to case, but some of the standard benefits that a lawyer can offer you after an accident include:
- Organizing all collected documentation: An accident comes with a lot of paperwork, but your attorney will know how to manage all of that information in an organized way and utilize available evidence and insights where necessary.
- Managing communication with all outside parties: Talking with insurers and recounting your statement a million times over can be exhausting and dreadful, but your attorney can protect your peace and give you time to focus on what really matters by speaking on your behalf.
- Helping you understand the laws, regulations, and best practices around your case: State law can be confusing, especially when each state has unique clauses and variations on standard laws. Your attorney will map out what is important to your case and help you understand how the current statutes and prior case rulings can affect you personally.
- Investigating your accident, including a thorough evaluation of claims of negligence: A professional set of eyes and ears on your case, an attorney can catch small details that someone else may deem unimportant or skip over. Their experience ensures that no stone is overturned when it comes to estimating full damages and proving the other party’s liability.
- Negotiating on your behalf: One of the most daunting steps of litigation is generally negotiating a settlement. Your attorney will take negotiation off of your hands entirely. They will have years of experience in this field and understand what points will be useful to highlight in each individual negotiation in order to maximize the chances of full damages recovery/
What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident?
Many victims of bike accidents will feel dazed and confused. Collisions aren’t something we can expect or prepare for, making it a unique and harrowing experience each time.
If you have been in a bicycle accident with another vehicle, there are a few steps that you should be familiar with and be prepared to execute in order to protect your financial recovery later. Whether you are reporting to your insurer or filing a lawsuit against the other party, having a comprehensive paper trail and solid evidence can help avoid hiccups as the steps of litigation unfold.
While every accident is distinctive in its own way, keeping this set of tips in mind can help you protect not only your financial but also your physical recovery. Your own participation in your recovery is weighed heavily in the legal proceedings after an accident, so be diligent with your own care.
The following list is composed of the major post-accident steps that will need your hands-on attention, with or without representation. Your attorney will use the information you collect from some of these steps to represent your case and fight for the best outcome.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Undoubtedly, the most important step to take after a biking accident is to seek medical attention. It is critical that you make an effort with your physical recovery so that all injuries are documented accurately, and no pain is left to worsen because of neglected care.
Victims of accidents who avoid medical attention may have a harder time recovering a settlement. The insurer or other party could allege that the condition was pre-existing if a diagnosis was delayed or that the injury victim made their condition worse by not seeking proper care.
A doctor’s assessment of your injuries is crucial for making a full diagnosis and connecting your injuries to the bike accident event, which is important for your lawyer to advocate for your best interest.
Document Your Journey
Having a file of all related information can help your claim run smoothly. If you are physically capable, it is important to take pictures and videos at the actual scene of the accident.
Remember that the few minutes before the cleanup crew arrives is the only time that you’ll ever have first-hand evidence. Without pictures and videos, your lawyer and insurer will never be able to reconstruct the accident scenario the way you can in your own head.
Without extensive documentation, cases are left vulnerable to gray areas that can drag the process along or even jeopardize a settlement. In serious accidents where the victim is physically incapable of carrying out this task, officers and first responders on the scene should be able to help manage it.
Be sure to also document your recovery journey. Take photos of all visible injuries, and make a schedule to photograph the healing stages.
This time-lapse record can impact the way an insurer sees the case and your injuries, helping them understand their status and how long they took to fully recover.
Find Witnesses
An accident happens so fast that oftentimes, it can be difficult for all parties to report the same thing. In some cases, the differing reports can make one accident sound like two completely separate instances.
In these situations, having witnesses on standby to recount what they saw can be the gold standard of evidence. A reliable witness statement can support your voice in a case, counter false claims by the negligent party, and paint a more vivid picture for the legal professionals responsible for closing your claim.
In serious accidents, witnesses are likely to linger. If you are physically capable, flag down passersby and ask them to give a statement to the police.
You should also ask for their contact information that you can provide to your attorney and to police responders for them to follow up with. In an accident where you are physically incapable of engaging, a first responder should be on the scene to carry out the task of speaking with eyewitnesses and gathering contact information.
Make an Effort to Stick to Your Recommended Follow-Up Care
It is critical that you follow all doctor’s orders on healing. Your insurer will want to know if you were recommended for follow-up care and how you’ve approached the advice.
If your doctor suggested physical therapy or future check-ups at the hospital, it would be in your best interest to strictly follow their requests. Participating in follow-up care shows that you are serious about your recovery and signals the impact that the event had on you.
Injured in a Crash? Contact a Lawrenceville Bicycle Accident Law Firm Today
Recovering from a bicycle accident is a complex process. Being expected to manage the course of such a heavy load can be a strain on an injured accident victim’s mental health, leaving your other responsibilities vulnerable.
Insurers often rely on this stress to save themselves money in the end, which is why we’re here.
The team at The CEO Lawyer is passionate about helping victims of accidents like yours recover comfortably. We’ll use our knowledge, experience, and resources to tackle the goal of recovering as much as we can for your injuries, medical costs, and other damages.
You’ll gain a whole team of representatives acting as professional eyes and ears to oversee the big steps and fine details of your case.
To schedule an appointment for a free case review today, call (770) 525-9098 or contact us online.