A bicycle accident can leave you with severe and potentially life-threatening injuries. Your medical care and rehabilitation costs add up fast.
Insurance companies are profit-driven and will do everything possible to avoid paying your claim. A Baltimore Bicycle Accident Lawyer can help you fight back for compensation.
Having adequate proof to support your claim is crucial. Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation and gather critical evidence such as witness statements, medical records, accident scene photos, police reports, vehicle and bicycle damage, insurance policies, and more.
Your lawyer will also collect the information you provide to them, such as the date and time of your accident, a detailed account of the incident, your injuries, your contact information, the names and contact details of any witnesses, and an estimate of the total cost of your damages. These details are crucial for proving your case and securing your deserved compensation.
In addition to identifying all parties that could be liable for your damages, your attorney will work with experts who can help establish negligence and prove that the other party’s actions were indeed the cause of the collision. This is especially important in cases where the other driver was driving recklessly or violating traffic laws, a violation that may have contributed to the accident.
Moreover, your lawyer will be able to determine the causes of the accident by reviewing any available evidence such as weather data, road conditions, and traffic camera footage. For example, poor road conditions or weather can contribute to a bicycle accident by creating hazardous obstacles like potholes or uneven pavement, which could lead to cyclists losing control or crashing.
Another important piece of evidence is the injury report you receive from your doctor following the crash. Your doctor’s diagnosis and documentation of your injuries will provide a clear picture of the extent of your damages, which can be used to support a reasonable claim amount.
Finally, your lawyer will consider all of your current and future expenses when calculating the total cost of your damages to include hospital bills, medication, physical therapy, future doctor’s visits, and more. They will also factor in any loss of quality of life you have suffered, including emotional trauma.
When choosing a lawyer for your case, make sure they have experience handling bike accident claims similar to yours and ask about their success rate. Generally, reputable lawyers will not charge upfront fees, but rather take their cases on a contingency basis. That means they only get paid if you receive an award.
Defending Your Case
A skilled lawyer can use the evidence gathered to build a strong legal defense, protecting your rights and financial interests. They can also help you avoid making mistakes that could jeopardize your claim, such as speaking to the insurance company before consulting with a lawyer.
Moreover, a bicycle accident lawyer can assist you in complying with the statute of limitations. This legal timeframe sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit, and a lawyer can ensure that the deadline is not missed.
Once the case has been properly filed, a lawyer can negotiate with the insurer on your behalf. They have the experience and skills to counter lowball offers and advocate for a settlement that covers your medical bills, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Additionally, a bicycle accident attorney will work to build your case to include non-economic damages. These compensation awards recognize the profound impacts of a bike accident on your life, such as emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. Your attorney will compile detailed medical records and documentation of your injury-related expenses to support this category of damages.
One of the most important things your bicycle accident lawyer will do is to prepare you for a trial. While the vast majority of bike accident claims are settled without a trial, your lawyer should be prepared to take your case all the way to court if necessary to protect your rights and ensure that you receive full and fair compensation.
Before you select an attorney, make sure they have a good track record of winning and settling cases in the past. You should also feel comfortable communicating with them, as they will need to know everything about your case. You can also ask for testimonials from previous clients to see how satisfied they were with their representation.
Negotiating With the Insurer
Your attorney’s job is to ensure that the insurance company provides a full and fair settlement for your claim. They will begin by negotiating with the insurance provider and will counter any lowball offers made to you. If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your lawyer will take the case to trial.
When you have a skilled bicycle accident lawyer on your side, you can be confident that the insurance companies will treat your claim seriously. This is because they know that your lawyer will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. The experienced lawyers have handled many bicycle accident cases and will use their experience to your benefit.
While it is possible to file a personal injury claim without an attorney, you will likely receive significantly less in compensation. This is because the insurance companies are not on your side and they will do everything they can to avoid paying you as much as possible. A qualified bicycle accident lawyer will be able to protect you from the common tactics used by insurers and can negotiate with them to get you more than you would have received on your own.
In addition, your attorney will help you determine what damages to seek compensation for. This may include special damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, or general damages such as pain and suffering. Your lawyer will also understand how to calculate the total cost of your injuries and will ensure that you are compensated for all of your losses.
It is important to find an experienced attorney who you feel comfortable working with and who has the right amount of knowledge and skills to handle your case. You can ask for referrals from friends and family, or you can use an attorney referral service that vets attorneys before referring them to clients. You can also check with your local bar association for a list of certified bicycle accident attorneys. Additionally, you can also search online to find an attorney with the appropriate qualifications. Once you have found an attorney, you can schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
Filing a Lawsuit
A skilled bicycle accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need to cover your injuries, losses, and damages. They can take proactive steps to gather additional evidence and meticulously craft legal documents to build a strong case. A qualified attorney can also protect you from common insurance company tactics. In addition, they can ensure that your claim is filed before the expiration of your state’s statute of limitations.
In the event that the insurer rejects your claim or fails to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf. Then they will serve the defendant with a complaint and begin the discovery process, which involves questioning witnesses and gathering other forms of evidence. The lawyer can use this information to strengthen your case and convince a judge or jury to award you the full amount of damages you’re seeking.
Bicycle accident lawyers will work to establish liability against the negligent party responsible for your injuries. This may include drivers who fail to see cyclists on the road, transit companies, manufacturers of faulty vehicle or bike components, or government agencies that don’t maintain safe roads. They will also prove your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, and in-home care expenses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and disability.
Your attorney can also consider taking your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to accept a fair settlement. This can be costly, but it may result in a higher award. In a trial, your attorney will present evidence and cross-examine witnesses for the other side. They can also call experts to support their arguments.
The first step to finding a competent bicycle accident lawyer is asking for local referrals from people you trust. You can also try a lawyer referral program, which vets attorneys and connects them with injured clients. Additionally, many attorneys specialize in bicycle accidents and can be found through professional organizations or a private referral service. Lastly, you can search online or check out your state’s bar association for a list of qualified attorneys.