According to the National Safety Council, bicycle-related deaths tend to be high in warmer months. In 2023, the highest number of deaths occurred in October (156), with the lowest number occurring in February (81).
A bicycle accident lawyer in Denver, Colorado, says that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. Motor vehicle drivers must give the right-of-way to bicyclists whenever necessary. Other drivers frequently disregard bicycle riders’ rights, putting cyclists in danger.
Bicycle accidents can also be caused by the negligent actions of motor vehicle drivers in the forms of distracted driving, DUI, moving violations, poor visibility, and speeding. To learn more about your rights as a bicycle rider, you can schedule a consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer near you.
In this article, you will learn how personal injury lawyers help their clients understand their rights and obtain fair and adequate compensation for them.
Understanding Your Rights After a Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle accident, you must be aware of your rights to avoid being taken advantage of. You are entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, or even mental anguish.
According to https://thonbeck.com/, the most common types of bicycle accidents include distracted driving, dooring, failure to yield, right turns, and road rage. These accidents usually result in common injuries like broken bones, internal injuries, lacerations, spinal cord injuries, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries.
Stay up to date on your state’s personal injury laws, as they can vary by jurisdiction. If the other party’s negligence is proven, you have a strong claim for personal injuries.
Seek medical attention immediately and keep a copy of your medical documents. Report the accident to the relevant authorities, such as the police, to validate and support your claim.
Gathering Evidence to Support Your Case
Once you confirm that you are entitled to a claim for your bicycle accident, then you can compile evidence to support your claim.
Gather police reports, medical paperwork, and photographs of the accident scene. These documents can serve as very useful evidence for your case. Keep in mind to obtain the name and collect the contact details of anyone who might have witnessed the events leading up to the accident. Their statements can be useful to substantiate your claims and enhance your credibility.
Photograph your injuries and bicycle damage from different angles to show the severity of the injury. Record all your accident-related expenses, such as medical bills, wage loss, etc.
Check the environment to see if any surveillance cameras might have captured the whole incident. Request recordings from these cameras to help verify your claims. Give your personal injury lawyer all the evidence you have so they can help establish the facts of your case and develop a suitable legal strategy.
Handling Insurance Claims and Negotiations
A skilled personal injury lawyer can impact the outcome of handling claims processes and negotiations by informing you of your rights, guiding you through the claims process, and representing you before the insurance adjusters. They will take every necessary detail into account to obtain a favorable outcome for your case.
Personal injury lawyers will present sufficient evidence to compel insurance companies into providing the compensation you deserve. Their legal guidance and support allow you to focus on recovery while they handle all the legal aspects of your case
Calculating Damages and Compensation
Several factors may impact your financial recovery in a bicycle accident case.
Your lawyer will determine the value of your damages by considering all medical expenses, including hospital bills, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment costs. Your lawyer will take into account the income you would have earned if your injury had not occurred. Pain and suffering caused by the incident can be included to strengthen your claim. Property damage, such as the cost of repairing your bicycle, will be factored into the overall compensation.
To help your lawyer determine how much compensation to ask for, you must collect and document all the evidence related to your injury.
Preparing for Trial: What to Expect
You can ask your lawyer for help in preparing you for trial. Competent personal injury lawyers can provide simulations of court hearings or mock trials to enhance your confidence and let you know what to expect during the legal process.
Your lawyer will defend you by carefully sifting through your statements and documents to determine which are relevant to your case.
On the day of the trial, expect your lawyer to present your arguments and cross-examine witnesses.
You need to focus on the trial outcome since it will be your opportunity to see justice and return compensation for the injuries.
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