What Are the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents?

Those involved in bicycle accidents frequently have questions and deserve accurate and immediate answers. Questions can revolve around how much money they deserve, who will pay for their accident-related damages, and how they should pursue the compensation they deserve. A bicycle accident lawyer can answer all questions you have—in fact, a lawyer may be most qualified to provide the answers you need. Additionally, a lawyer will handle all insurance claims and lawsuits for you. A bicycle accident lawyer can be a priceless resource for anyone dealing with injuries or a loved one’s sudden passing. Don’t wait to find an accomplished lawyer worthy of your trust and case.

Answers to Common Questions from Bicycle Accident Victims

You will undoubtedly have questions specific to your circumstances, and you should not wait to speak with a lawyer for personalized answers. You may also be mulling the following questions, which you can get answers to right now:

I Was Injured in a Bicycle Accident. What Should I Do?

While there are several steps for bicycle accident victims to take, two of the most important are:

Getting medical care without any further delay: Insurance companies and other potentially liable parties will need to see proof of accident-related injuries. Getting prompt medical attention will also ensure you’re not in danger, as traumatic brain injuries and other accident-related ailments may cause severe symptoms that are not immediately obvious.

Finding the most qualified bicycle accident attorney to fight for the compensation you deserve (and do much more for you): Attorneys need to build their cases as soon as possible after bicycle accidents. Your attorney will need to speak with witnesses while their recollections are vivid and may also need to secure video footage before it gets erased.

There is no reason to wait before you hire a bike accident lawyer. Because personal injury lawyers typically use contingency fees (which they only receive if they get results for the client), you won’t have to pay any out-of-pocket costs to hire one.

When Should I Hire My Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

Hiring a lawyer is not a priority that can wait. Your search for an attorney should come only after urgent medical care on your post-accident to-do list. Time is of the essence when finding a bike accident attorney because:

Your case will require evidence of who caused the bicycle accident, and your lawyer needs to obtain that evidence as soon as possible.
Insurance companies responsible for your accident-related damages may try to lowball you or deny your claim, and your lawyer will stonewall these bad-faith tactics immediately.
You may have looming deadlines for reporting injuries, filing a lawsuit, and taking other necessary action, and your lawyer will ensure those deadlines are met.

Attorneys are easy to reach. Their teams are typically available around the clock to speak with bicycle accident victims and other prospective clients, so narrow down candidates and call those firms as soon as possible.

How Much Money Am I Entitled To?

Pedestrians and bicyclists account for about one-fifth of all traffic accident deaths annually. It shows how much danger bicyclists face when a motor vehicle strikes them and how severe the resulting injuries often are. Serious injuries generally require large financial recoveries for the injured parties, which may be true in your case. Allow an experienced lawyer to fight for the compensation you deserve. Because your injuries, trauma, healthcare needs, and other damages are unique to you, a lawyer will calculate the unique value of your case.

How Long Will My Bicycle Accident Case Take?

Each bicycle accident case has its own timeline. It can be impossible to predict the timeline for your case because:

Some bicycle accident victims resolve their cases through insurance, while others need to file lawsuits.
Insurance companies sometimes act in bad faith, which can delay the completion of a settlement agreement (or even lead the accident victim to file a lawsuit).
You may need to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before your lawyer can complete settlement proceedings, which can affect the case timeline.
If your case requires a trial, this will likely extend the timeline for completing the case.

Your attorney should provide regular updates, which should clarify the time necessary to resolve your case. Regardless of how long your claim or lawsuit ultimately takes, you can live your life—your attorney will handle the case from start to finish.

If I Hire a Lawyer, What Will Happen Next?

Once you hire your lawyer, your case is in their hands. Your only case-related responsibilities may be:

To provide your account of the bicycle accident to your attorney
To keep your phone handy for when your lawyer calls
Follow your attorney’s advice
Follow your doctor’s advice
Seek any mental health services you require because of pain and suffering

Your attorney will manage every step of any insurance claims or lawsuit you file in the wake of the bike accident.

Who Will Pay for the Harm Caused by the Bicycle Accident?

This remains to be seen, and your lawyer will provide a definitive answer as soon as possible. Those who can be financially responsible for a bicycle accident include:

A motorist who hits a bicyclist
The manufacturer of a defective vehicle or vehicle component that contributed to the bicycle accident
The municipality in which the accident happened (governmental bodies can be liable when dangerous road conditions contribute to accidents)
Insurance companies representing at-fault parties

Your attorney will determine who should pay for your accident-related damages. Your lawyer will then work urgently to ensure that they do pay.

Questions Lawyers Often Hear from Those Harmed by Fatal Bicycle Accidents

Tragically, bicyclists face a substantial risk of death when a motor vehicle hits them. Those who lose loved ones in fatal bicycle accidents often have questions, which may include:

What Kind of Lawyer Will Represent Me?

Many lawyers who handle non-fatal bicycle accident cases also handle wrongful death cases. Therefore, you may search for either a “bicycle accident lawyer” or “wrongful death lawyer” in your area to find a suitable attorney.

Why Do People Sue After a Fatal Bike Accident?

There are many reasons why you may sue those responsible for a fatal bicycle accident as you may:

Want to see justice done for the loss of your loved one (regardless of whether an at-fault party faces criminal charges)
Need compensation to cover the economic cost of the accident (and of losing a loved one)
Need compensation for the significant non-economic cost of losing a loved one (including grief and depression)

When you lose a loved one, particularly unexpectedly, the resulting damage is challenging to measure. A lawyer will measure the fallout of your loss, though, and they will fight for a just financial outcome for you.

How Much Does a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Cost?

Contingency Fees word written on a paper with money in background

This is a question that everyone affected by a bicycle accident should ask. Bicycle accident lawyers typically offer contingency fees, which means:

The law firm pays for experts, administrative costs, and all other expenses.
The client doesn’t pay the law firm directly (instead, the lawyer claims a percentage of any settlement or verdict they secure for the client).
You can afford to hire a bicycle accident lawyer, even if you are under immense financial stress.

Law firms don’t just cover basic case costs. A qualified lawyer will also hire experts and take other elective measures. They will aim to build the strongest case they can, in part because their compensation is tied to the financial outcome of your case.

As You Move Forward, You Will Have More Questions—Let an Attorney Answer Them for You

Rest assured that you will have more questions as time goes on. Until your case is finalized, you will benefit from hiring someone who will:

Have the experience and legal knowledge necessary to answer your questions accurately
Always be available to you, whether via phone call, text message, email, or another preferred means of communication
Ease your mind and provide stability during a difficult time

When you have questions, your lawyer will have answers. Your attorney will also provide any instruction and advice necessary to resolve your case.

Let a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Fight for the Money You Deserve (Here Is Why)

As you recover from injuries or work through the loss of a loved one, your attorney’s priority will be securing the compensation you deserve. Obtaining fair compensation for you will likely require your lawyer to:

Identify the Liable Party

Your attorney will secure all relevant evidence and interpret all relevant information. It will enable your lawyer to determine who caused the bicycle accident and who owes you compensation for your accident-related damages.

Find and Utilize Evidence of Fault

Your attorney will determine who is at fault for your accident, which will allow them to identify liable parties. Knowing fault is important, but proving fault is even more critical to the success of your case. Evidence of fault that may contribute to a positive case outcome includes:

Video footage showing the vehicle hitting you
Witness accounts detailing how the motor vehicle driver hit you
Any police report related to the bike accident
An expert’s reconstruction of the bicycle accident

Securing evidence is a critical responsibility for every bike accident lawyer. Trust that your legal team will obtain and properly leverage all evidence of fault.

Document Your Losses

Your attorney will accurately account for how your bicycle accident adversely affected you. Some types of documentation bike accident attorneys often use include:

Medical images (like X-rays) and photographs of the bicyclist’s injuries
Doctors’ precise diagnoses of injuries and symptoms
Doctors’ treatment plans and prognoses for recovery
Medical bills
The bicyclists’ pre- and post-accident bank statements, which can show the cost of their lost income
Invoices for the repair of the damaged bike (or purchase of a new bike)

Your lawyer may also have a mental health provider evaluate you. Bike accidents can be traumatic, and you should receive fair compensation for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and any other forms of pain and suffering resulting from the collision.

Calculate the Total Value of Your Damages

Your attorney will consider all your damages (including future harm) when calculating how much money you deserve. Trust your legal team to calculate your case value accurately, as they know how much is at stake.

Demand a Fair Settlement

In civil cases, plaintiffs and liable parties can typically reach a settlement. However, those responsible for bikers’ injuries do not always make it easy to reach a financial agreement. There is always a chance that insurance companies do not agree to your lawyer’s settlement demands. In this case, suing (and possibly going to trial) may be the path you and your lawyer pursue.

What Damages Do Bicyclists Receive Compensation For After an Accident?

Damages & claim Written on Wooden Blocks

Anyone who understands the weight of motor vehicles and the lack of bicyclists’ protection understands the severity of car-on-bicyclist collisions. These accidents often cause serious injuries that expose the victim to:

Healthcare costs, which may include the cost of emergency care, imaging, rehabilitation, and many other services
Pain and suffering, which may include PTSD, physical pain, depression, sleep loss, lost quality of life, and other emotional, psychological, and physical challenges
Professional harm, including lost income and lost earning power
Bicycle repair costs, or the cost of replacing a bike that is totally damaged (a likelihood in high-speed accidents)

If you face any other financial costs or non-economic damages related to the bicycle accident, your attorney will include those damages in your case.

Hire Your Bicycle Accident Attorney Today - Waiting Can Be a Costly Mistake

Those who wait to hire a bicycle accident lawyer put themselves at great financial risk. At worst, you may surpass the deadline for filing a bicycle accident lawsuit, which may give the insurance company massive leverage or even prevent you from obtaining compensation. By hiring a bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible, you can ensure that your rights are protected and maximize your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve. Do your research and find a qualified law firm today.