According to the CDC, over 130,000 cyclists are injured in the U.S. each year. Almost 1,000 cyclists die as a result of injuries received in a crash.
Worse, cyclists and their families often have to deal with the aftermath of a collision while fighting for the compensation they deserve. The legal red tape after an accident can be confusing and hard to navigate alone.
Hiring the right bicycle accident lawyer can help. These experts know how to handle bike accident claims, and they have a lot to offer if you or a loved one is struggling to get compensation. Let’s take a look at a few ways a lawyer can help you deal with your case.
1. Knowledge of Local Bicycle Laws
One of the biggest ways an attorney can help is through their knowledge of state and local bicycle laws.
Bike laws can be complex and ever-changing. Handling the aftermath of a bicycle wreck on your own might seem straightforward, but most laypeople don’t have specialized knowledge of the nuances of their local bike laws. Trying to navigate these laws on your own can lead to expensive consequences.
Bicycle accident attorneys, on the other hand, have in-depth knowledge of local traffic laws. This allows them to determine whether you have a case and who’s at fault.
It’s important to find an attorney with expertise in your area. Because local laws can be different from state to state and even between municipalities, you’ll want someone with local experience. Los Angeles residents, for example, should discover more information about expert attorneys in their city.
2. Experience With Insurance and Claims Processes
Insurance companies are never your friends. This is especially true when you’re dealing with the insurance company of a driver who struck you while you were riding your bike. Even when it seems clear that the driver is at fault, their insurer may make it difficult or impossible for you to get just compensation.
Worse, bikers are often on their own after an accident. Where drivers have an insurance company to fight for them, few bikers have a bicycle insurance policy.
That’s why hiring an attorney is crucial after a bicycle accident. The last thing you want to do is fight on your own when an expert can even the odds!
Dealing with insurance companies can be confusing, and the claims process is often difficult and complex. Your attorney can help you manage your claim and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Lawyers can also be helpful during the negotiation process, as they’ll shield you from any underhanded tactics.
Often, insurance companies will throw out a lowball offer, hoping to settle fast. They may base their offer on the “actual cash value” of the bike. However, this may undervalue the cost of the bike, and it may not take into account your medical bills, missed work days, and other damages.
A bike attorney will have the expertise to see through these tactics. They’ll help you understand how much compensation you should expect and help you fight for it.
3. Help Establishing Fault
It can be hard to determine liability in a bike accident. Even when you believe that a negligent driver was at fault, it can be difficult to argue your case. Details like the weather, road conditions, traffic signals, and any signs of distraction can complicate your argument.
Your lawyer can analyze all of the circumstances around your accident and help you point out the responsible party or parties. This makes it easier to hold them accountable and get compensation.
4. Evaluation of Unusual Charges
In certain cases, the cause of your bike accident can be hard to pin down.
Some bike accidents may not involve another driver at all. If a flaw in your bike’s structure caused an accident, for example, you might be able to sue the manufacturer. If you hit construction debris in a bike lane and toppled over, the city might be at fault.
In other cases, you may have to prove that a driver is at fault even though you weren’t struck. Some “no-contact” accidents happen when a driver’s negligence causes you to take damage. If you’re forced to swerve and fall when a driver veered into the bike lane, for example, you may be able to get compensation even though they didn’t hit you.
These cases can be tricky, however, which is why hiring a lawyer is a smart move. An attorney can help you navigate these complicated cases and get compensation, even if you initially aren’t sure who to blame.
5. Help Gathering Evidence
In the chaotic aftermath of a bike accident, it can be hard to remember which documents you need to gather to prove a claim. Victims are often dealing with injuries and missed work days, and they don’t always have the forethought to track down evidence.
Your lawyer can help you identify and gather everything you’ll need.
Though they won’t always be able to obtain certain documents on your behalf, especially police reports and medical records, they can help you understand how to get your hands on these documents. They’ll also track down witnesses for you, prompt you to take photos, and remind you to gather pay stubs, repair estimates, and other crucial documents.
6. Access to Resources That Strengthen Your Case
In addition to the documents you’ll gather on your own, lawyers often have access to resources that can strengthen your case.
Bicycle accident attorneys partner with experts who can speak to the details of a complex case. This can include accident reconstruction experts, who evaluate a scene and help determine who’s at fault. They may also call upon bike manufacturers and engineers to act as expert witnesses.
In addition, attorneys may work with medical professionals who can testify about your injuries. This can be critical when you need to prove that your injuries are severe.
Lawyers may also work with local investigators to find further evidence. As stated above, eyewitness testimony can be helpful, so attorneys will often track down anyone who saw the crash. They may also look for surveillance footage from nearby buildings.
7. Help Avoiding Legal Pitfalls
In an accident case, a small mistake can cost you.
If you fail to provide vital evidence, for example, the insurance company may not offer you enough compensation. If you miss a deadline to submit court documents, you may complicate your case.
Even worse, many collision victims say the wrong thing by accident.
During an insurance claim or court case, everything you say can be used against you. If you admit guilt or apologize to the driver, for example, you might make it easier for their insurance company to deny your claim.
Avoid these legal pitfalls by contacting a lawyer right away!
With their expertise, your attorney can ensure there are no issues with your documents or deadlines.
They can also act as a single point of contact on your behalf. This means that the driver and their insurance company will have to talk to your lawyer, not you, during the claims process.
They’ll even keep you from making the most common mistake of all: accepting an offer that seems too good to be true! Many accident victims accept the first settlement offer, as long as it looks like the money will cover their basic costs. However, a lawyer can help you fight for full compensation for all of your damages.
8. Litigation for Victims and Families
While bike accident victims can sometimes deal with insurance companies alone, it’s never a good idea to represent yourself in court. If settling out of court becomes impossible, you’ll want to have an experienced lawyer on your side when dealing with a judge and jury.
Your lawyer will help you create a persuasive case and use their resources to strengthen it. They may help you practice and prepare your testimony, and they’ll also help ensure you follow courtroom procedures. If needed, they’ll also cross-examine witnesses.
A lawyer can also advocate for families of victims when the victim’s injuries are too severe for them to argue their own case. If the victim dies as a result of their injuries, bike accident lawyers can help surviving loved ones seek compensation as well.
9. More Time for Recovery
After a cycling accident, you may be facing a range of injuries. Because bikers have little protection from moving vehicles, these injuries may be serious. Some of the most common bicycle crash injuries involve fractured bones, head injuries, and severe skin abrasions.
When you’re struggling to recover after a collision, your health is the most important thing to focus on. Dealing with insurance claims, negotiations, and legal paperwork can make it hard to get the rest you need.
Hiring a lawyer frees you up to spend your downtime recovering instead of worrying about your case. When you leave the legal work to the experts, you can instead spend time getting treatment and trying to get back to your regular activities.
10. Get the Maximum Compensation
As we’ve mentioned above, insurance companies often try to settle by throwing out the lowest possible offer. These offers might not take into account your true financial picture after a crash. If you’re dealing with injuries, missed work days, and the costs of repairing or replacing your bike and other personal property, the offer might not cover it all.
With a lawyer’s help, you can often get more compensation than you would otherwise. Your attorney can tailor your case to your situation, arguing for every penny you’ve lost since the crash. This can help you recover more damages and protect your financial stability.
11. Enjoy More Peace of Mind
Last, but not least, working with a bicycle accident lawyer can preserve your peace of mind.
Any collision can be overwhelming. Whether your injuries are minor or life-altering, the stress and financial strain can be difficult for any cyclist to handle alone. Worse, without a lawyer, you’ll have to spend the aftermath worrying about the details of your case instead of working to resume your daily life.
Instead of stressing about the details of your case and the legal mistakes you could be making, hire an attorney. The support of your lawyer can help reduce any mental burden you feel after the crash. With a legal expert to advocate for your best interests, you can navigate your case with confidence.
When to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you’re still not sold on the idea of hiring a bike accident lawyer given the benefits above, there are a few cases in which you’ll want to consider it regardless. If you’re struggling with any of the complications below, you should contact an attorney right away:
- Your injuries are severe
- There are multiple parties involved in the accident
- The driver’s insurance company has denied your claim
- It’s unclear who’s at fault for the crash
- The insurance company keeps providing low settlement offers
- Another party has named you on a lawsuit
- The driver was an Uber or Lyft driver
- The crash was a “no contact” accident
A lawyer can also help if you have any questions about your claim or compensation. Because most lawyers offer a free, no-risk consultation, you can get answers about any of the complicating factors above and decide if you’d like to hire legal aid.
Find a Bike Collision Lawyer Near You
Every smart cyclist will do everything possible to reduce their risk of an accident on the road. However, if the worst should happen, it’s always a good idea to have an expert on your side. A bicycle accident lawyer can help you get compensation, reduce your stress, and focus on what matters.
Be sure to seek a reputable attorney in your area for the best results. As you work to navigate your case, don’t forget to check out our other posts for additional advice!
