Whether you are riding a bike for recreation, to improve your health, or reduce the number of cars on the road, cycling is increasing in popularity. This is especially true in the major cities of the U.S., many of which have instituted bicycle-sharing services to reduce traffic in city centers. With this rise in usage, bicycle accidents are also increasing. Some bike accidents can lead to severe injury and even death. It is important to know your rights and know when to seek legal representation if you have suffered grave injuries or damages due to a bike crash.
If you or someone you know was injured or killed in a bicycle accident, you might be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. Ali Awad, the CEO Lawyer, has a reputation of winning in the mediation room and the courtroom. He has built a booming business by earning his clients millions in collective settlements and injury awards. Millions on social media follow Ali Awad because he knows how to get results. His firm has a success rate of over 99.5%. Ali is the attorney you want on your side fighting for your case.
Few of us have the legal knowledge to aggressively pursue our personal injury claims. Still, with the CEO Lawyer in your corner, you can be certain that you have the representation that you need to go toe-to-toe with big insurance companies. For a no-obligation review of your case, call Ali Awad and his team of injury and accident attorneys at (833)254-2923 or complete this form here to contact us online today.
Common Bike Accident Injuries
Cars and bicycles are expected to share the road. Some states and major cities now have bicycle lanes that are specifically designed for cyclists to keep them safe while sharing the road with motor vehicles. However, if not, drivers and cyclists are expected to maintain equal vigilance of one another. That doesn’t mean that accidents don’t happen. Many motor vehicle drivers are not used to sharing the road with cyclists.
Injuries that result from a bike accident can range from minor to severe. Injuries to the head are the most damaging and can even result in a fatality or long-term disability. Your mother was right. You should always wear your helmet! The most common injuries that you might suffer as the result of a bicycle crash are:
- Head injuries: including skull fractures, concussions, brain contusion, or other traumatic brain injuries
- Musculoskeletal fractures, dislocations, strains, or sprains
- Facial or eye injuries, such as facial fractures, dental fractures, or foreign bodies in the cornea
- Skin and soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations, contusions, or “road rash”
Other commonly injured areas include the abdominal and chest area. Rib fractures, traumatic hernia, splenic rupture, and even lung injuries are common in bicycle accidents. It is crucial to seek medical treatment immediately if you have been injured in a bike accident. Some injuries might not be noticeable immediately, especially injuries to organs or the brain. These injuries can lead to life-threatening or debilitating conditions.
Preventing Bicycle Accidents
You can take precautions to reduce your risk of being involved in an accident or lessen the severity of your injuries if you are involved in a crash. Remember that cyclists must follow the same rules on the road as motor vehicles. However, accidents can still happen, and injuries can be severe when you are exposed on a bicycle. Always be sure to:
- Wear a helmet and other protective gear.
- Follow the rules of riding on public roadways.
- Avoid riding at high speeds.
- Stay vigilant of motor vehicles.
- Be aware of objects in the roadway, especially hazards such as loose gravel or poorly maintained roads.
- Avoid drinking or using illegal substances before riding on your bike.
- Keep your bike in good mechanical condition.
Cyclists should always use reflectors and lights that drivers can see when it is dusk or dark or from a distance. Not every state requires that you wear a helmet. However, even if it isn’t the law, you should always wear a helmet to protect yourself from the worst injuries.
How Will a Bicycle Accident Attorney Help Me?
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, an experienced bike accident attorney will help protect your legal rights and help you recover compensation for injuries and damages.
After first contacting your attorney, a bike accident lawyer will begin by evaluating the details of your case. They will ask you questions about your accident and learn more about how the accident has affected your life. Personal injury attorneys are trained to listen for specific information that will be useful in building your case. Your attorney will want to know:
- Who is at fault for the accident, or who caused the collision?
- The injuries you suffered, as well as other damages, such as damages to your property.
- All of the ways in which your life was impacted or affected by the accident–both in terms of injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Documented costs of your injuries. (current and anticipated medical expenses)
- What insurance policies you and the other party may have will apply to the accident.
- Whether or not witness statements or photos were taken of the scene of the accident.
Next, your bicycle accident attorney will begin the investigation of your case. At least some or most of the investigation will be completed by the attorney and their team, but sometimes an expert will be retained if additional information is required. The investigation will include returning to the scene of the accident, gathering medical records and crash reports from authorities, taking pictures of your damages, and interviewing witnesses.
After compiling all of the evidence, your attorney will send a demand letter to the insurance company to begin negotiations for your settlement. The demand letter is a professional document containing details about the accident and the number of damages you are seeking to compensate you for your injuries and damages.
From this step, two things can happen. In the best-case scenario, the insurance company pays you the settlement you asked for. However, they may try to lowball an offer to you. If this happens, your attorney will either continue negotiations or file a lawsuit for your claim. Most insurance claims are settled outside of court. But, you will want to make sure that your attorney is comfortable arguing cases in front of a judge or jury. Ali Awad is equally successful in the mediation room and the courtroom. He knows how to handle stubborn insurance agents to fight for fair compensation for your injuries.
What Evidence Does a Bike Accident Lawyer Need to Build My Case?
As stated above, the investigation into your accident will involve reviewing many aspects of your case. Your lawyer knows what information and documentation are needed to build a winning case for you. Documenting proof of injuries and damages is extremely important in filing an insurance claim. Your bike accident attorney will begin compiling the evidence of damages:
- All of the current and future costs for your medical treatment, including physical therapy and medication
- Proof of lost wages and loss of earning capacity due to the accident
- Proof of damage to your property
- Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and mental anguish
Unless you are experienced in personal injury law, you will likely underestimate your damages and may even accept the first offer that comes your way from the insurance company. This is exactly why you need Ali Awad fighting for you. The CEO Lawyer knows how to calculate the obvious and non-obvious damages that might not be immediately apparent to you.
Will My Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents?
Many different insurance policies may cover injuries and damages you suffered after a bicycle accident. Some of the most common insurance policies that your bicycle attorney will consider when building your case are:
- Car Insurance Policies: Some states make it a requirement that all drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) riders as a part of their car insurance policies. The reason for this mandate is to keep small claims out of court. The injured party is then able to file a claim through the insurance company. However, some Personal Injury Protection riders will not cover all of the costs associated with your injuries and damages. In this case, your attorney may pursue additional amounts of compensation from the at-fault party in your accident. In most car insurance policies, the cyclist must actually come into contact with the at-fault driver, and police must file an accident report.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Many states require that drivers carry Uninsured Motorist Coverage in their policies. This type of policy is especially helpful in hit-and-run accidents, in which the at-fault driver cannot be identified. In most states, it is illegal to leave the scene of the accident, but it still happens. Typically, in states with Personal Injury Protection, attorneys will use PIP first and then pursue other car insurance policies, such as uninsured motorists, if the amount offered by PIP doesn’t cover all of the injured parties’ medical costs and damages.
- Health Insurance: If you are injured in a bicycle accident and seek medical attention from a doctor or hospital, your personal health insurance will likely cover some of the costs of treatment, especially the initial costs. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver to cover expenses your insurance doesn’t.
- Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance: These types of insurance will cover damages to your property but will not cover your medical expenses.
Whenever you are dealing with an insurance company, you should consider hiring an attorney to help you understand what your case is worth. Ali Awad has years of experience dealing with insurance companies and winning his client’s top settlements for their injuries. He will not accept a lowball offer and isn’t afraid to take your case to court to ensure you receive the maximum settlement for your case.
What Type of Compensation Can a Bike Accident Lawyer Get Me?
In most states, the injured party in an accident can recover compensation for injuries and damages from the at-fault driver responsible for the accident. A bike accident attorney will work to prove that the negligent driver is responsible for your injuries and losses because they didn’t follow the rules of the road or were acting carelessly, and a collision resulted.
Your bike accident lawyer will recover the economic and non-economic losses that resulted from your accident. Economic losses refer to medical bills and treatments, both current and future, loss of wages or loss of earning capacity, as well as damage to your property. Non-economic losses refer to things like pain and suffering or mental anguish that resulted from the accident.
When You Need a Bicycle Accident Law Firm, Get the CEO Lawyer on Your Side
Ali Awad, also known as the CEO Lawyer, is the founder and managing attorney of one of the fastest-growing law firms in the United States. With over one million followers on social media, the CEO Lawyer has garnered attention as one of the youngest attorneys to bring a brand new firm from ground level to 8-figures in just three short years! He and his team will lend their expertise to your case, helping you focus on the factors that matter most when it comes to earning settlements.
If you have questions about your bicycle accident, call the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm at (833)254-2923 for a no-obligation consultation of your case. With decades of combined experience handling personal injury cases, the CEO Lawyer and his attorneys are equipped to handle even the toughest cases. Our team strives to win top compensation for our clients, and we don’t get paid unless you get paid. If you or someone you love has been injured, don’t hesitate to contact us.
