You may enjoy riding your bicycle for fun, exercise, or your commute. Unfortunately, there is no telling when a negligent driver will cause a bicycle accident. At this point, you can hire a bicycle accident lawyer to help you with a personal injury claim.
Rand Spear and the personal injury lawyers at Spear Greenfield have 200 years of combined legal experience. We can put you in touch with a bicycle accident attorney to help you win or settle your bike accident case. To get started, please reach out to us today.
Why Bike Accidents Occur
Research from the National Safety Council indicates preventable deaths among bicycle riders increased by 16% in 2020, with a staggering 44% rise in these fatalities over the previous ten years. Even when bike riders follow the rules of the road, but even if they do, are still prone to accidents.
Ultimately, there are many reasons why a cyclist can be involved in an accident, such as:
Negligent Drivers
A driver can ignore the posted speed limit, get distracted, or engage in other careless behaviors behind the wheel. If a driver is negligent, they put themselves and others in danger. A negligent driver can inadvertently cause an accident with a cyclist, resulting in injuries or fatalities.
Drivers Ignoring a Bike Lane
If a bike lane is available, a cyclist can travel in it to go from point A to point B. Yet, there can be instances when a driver does not see or ignores a bike lane. If a driver gets too close to a bike lane, they can hit a cyclist.
Poor Weather Conditions
A cyclist may attempt to brave the elements and ride their bike in cold and warm temperatures alike. Meanwhile, a driver may not account for poor weather conditions that impact the roads. In this situation, the driver may fail to stop quickly enough in bad weather, which can lead to a bicycle accident.
If you suffer a neck and back injury or any other injuries in a bike accident caused by a motorist, seek medical help. You can get the care you need to minimize the long-term impact of your injuries. On top of that, it is paramount to consult with a bicycle accident attorney.
Why It Is Important to Hire a Bike Accident Lawyer
You are not required to hire a bike accident attorney if you get hurt in a cycling accident caused by a motorist. However, it is in your best interests to do so. Otherwise, you risk missing out on compensation that you can use to cover any bike accident injuries.
For example, a motorist traveling at high speed can strike you while you are riding your bike. You may be wearing your helmet, but you still risk spinal cord and brain injuries. If you do not file a personal injury lawsuit, you will be forced to pay for any costs to treat these injuries.
Rand Spear and the personal injury attorneys at Spear Greenfield offer legal guidance and support to those who get hurt in bike accidents. For more information, please connect with us. A bike accident lawyer from our team can take a look at your case and help you figure out the best course of action from here.
When to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit
There is a limited amount of time in which you have to file a bike accident lawsuit. The length of time you have depends on where you live. This is because there is a statute of limitations that varies based on the state where the accident occurred.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims varies. By meeting with a bike accident lawyer, you can find out if you are still eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit based on when your bike accident occurred. If you consult with an attorney immediately after your bike accident, you should be able to file your lawsuit in accordance with the statute of limitations.
When you meet with a bicycle accident lawyer, find out how they work. Your attorney should commit the time, energy, and resources required to ensure you can secure the most compensation possible. Ideally, your lawyer will help you get both economic and non-economic damages.
How Damages Work in a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit
You may have no idea how much money you have lost due to your bike accident to date or how much the incident will cost you moving forward. Your bike accident attorney can assess your medical bills, lost wages, and other economic losses you have incurred. They will also consider your pain, suffering, and other subjective losses.
In a bicycle accident lawsuit, you may request hundreds or thousands of dollars in economic and non-economic damages. No two bike accident claims are identical, and the amount you request in your case will depend on the damages you have already suffered and those you may face in the future. With help from a bike accident attorney, you can ask for an appropriate amount to compensate you for your losses.
Your bicycle accident lawyer works hard to build an argument that shows you deserve full damages. Over the course of your litigation, you may have an opportunity to get compensation without a trial. If the defendant in your case offers a settlement, you may be able to receive some of the damages you requested.
How to Proceed with a Bike Accident Settlement Offer
There are many reasons to settle a personal injury case. If you settle, you do not have to worry about going through a trial. In addition, you can receive compensation that you can use to cover any expenses relating to your injury.
If you get a bike accident settlement offer, you may be tempted to accept it. Before you do, consult with your lawyer. You and your attorney can then go over the offer and consider all of your options.
In instances where a settlement proposal is not what you want, do not approve it. Instead, let your lawyer know that you are declining the proposal. Next, you and your attorney can continue to prepare for your trial.
Get Help from a Qualified Bike Accident Lawyer
Rand Spear and the personal injury lawyers at Spear Greenfield are available to help you with your bicycle accident case. To learn more or set up a free case evaluation, please contact us today.
