A bicycle accident attorney can help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses. This includes economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Your lawyer will also investigate the case to identify all liable parties. They can gather important evidence like video footage, witness statements, and police reports.
Medical Treatment
Despite the fact that bicycles are a great way to get around, they can still cause severe injuries. A bike crash can result in sprains, fractures and dislocations, as well as internal organ damage. These injuries can be expensive to treat and could leave you unable to work while recovering from your accident.
A New York bicycle accident lawyer can assist you in pursuing compensation for your medical treatment. Under New York’s no-fault insurance laws, you can file a claim with your auto insurance provider to cover your hospital and doctor bills.
Sometimes, a bicycle crash is not caused by a car or road condition and instead is due to a problem with the bicycle itself. Manufacturers are expected to design and build bikes that are safe for use. If a defective part causes you to lose control and crash, a New York City bicycle accident attorney could pursue a product liability claim against the bike’s manufacturer.
Collecting Evidence
When you are at the accident scene, try to gather as much evidence as possible, if you can. This includes photos and videos of the accident scene, any property damage, your injuries, and your bicycle. Also, get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident.
Medical records are another important piece of evidence. Your doctor will provide statements for your case regarding the extent of your injuries, and a reputable New York bike accident lawyer will take this information into consideration when calculating your damages.
Research potential lawyers before deciding who to hire. Referrals from other people who have hired attorneys for different types of cases are a good place to start, but it is also crucial to learn about an attorney’s background and experience in handling bike accidents before you hire them. Ask attorneys questions about their experience, and do not be afraid to look up information online. Ultimately, the right lawyer will help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Filing a Claim or Lawsuit
In some cases, your bicycle accident lawyer may advise you to file a lawsuit in addition to your insurance claim. This is necessary in order to pursue the maximum amount of compensatory damages for your injuries and losses.
The attorney will also help you to understand your state’s laws regarding who can be held responsible for the accident. They will also be able to determine the appropriate compensation amount for your injury claim by adding up all past and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and other losses.
Your bicycle accident attorney will also ensure that you are protected from any lowball offers from the driver’s insurance company. They will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and will ensure that all paperwork is filed within imposed deadlines. They will also handle any negotiations for punitive damages if applicable. In most cases, a successful settlement can be reached without going to trial. This will save you both time and money.
Recovering Compensation
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. These include medical bills, lost wages, loss of future income, and pain and suffering. In the event of a tragic accident, victims may also be eligible for punitive damages, which are meant to punish defendants for especially egregious acts.
An experienced attorney can help you determine the appropriate amount to request in damages, which will depend on the extent of your injuries and how they will affect your life moving forward. Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to seek maximum compensation for your losses.
When speaking to insurance companies after an accident, it is important to remember that they are for-profit businesses that make millions of dollars a year by paying out as few claims as possible. It is critical to have a skilled lawyer on your side, representing your interests in negotiations with the insurance company and the courts.