Bicycles have a slim design that allows you to cruise between larger vehicles, making travel faster, it does not give you protection against the many dangers on the road. Did you know that tens of thousands of people are involved in bicycle accidents every year? These individuals can be left with traumatic injuries that can result in mounting medical bills and lifelong impacts on their lives. If you are one of these people and want to get compensation for your injuries, you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney at the Law Office of James T. Ponton, LLC to help you collect the necessary evidence to build and support your injury claim.
Liability for Bicycle Accidents
No matter how alert you are while riding your bicycle, some odds are stacked against you. Unfortunately, while drivers of bigger vehicles watch out for other car drivers, they do not pay much attention to cyclists. When an accident that involves a bicycle happens, the parties that are often accountable for it often include car drivers, cyclists, bicycle manufacturers, pedestrians, and government agencies.
When to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If your bicycle accident resulted in minor injuries and nominal bicycle damage, you may consider settling your claim with the at-fault party. However, for complicated situations such as the following, you may need help.
- You sustained major injuries because of a bicycle accident. If you suffered from severe injuries such as a bone fracture or brain damage that requires surgery, ensure you contact a lawyer immediately. Medical bills can increase constantly and a lawyer can help you negotiate a reasonable settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance provider.
- Fault is in question. If fault for the accident is yet to be determined or the at-fault party denies responsibility, an attorney can help you with this matter. The lawyer’s assistance is particularly important if several parties are involved in the accident.
- You have many questions about your claim. A knowledgeable lawyer can provide you with an idea of how much compensation you should demand. They will consider several factors when determining the true value of your claim. These factors include the extent of your injuries, the possibility of your condition requiring long-term treatment, and the other damages you suffered. Also, they can give you some advice to ensure you do not ruin your claim like not communicating with an insurance adjuster and refusing any settlement offer from them without consulting your lawyer.