Why You Should Get Representation After a Bicycle Accident
Have you been in an accident of some kind recently? According to Value Penguin, the average American had a one in 63 chance of being involved in an auto accident in 2020—and that’s only the motorized vehicles! Unfortunately, serious collisions can happen in all sorts of ways. For instance, accident attorneys can also provide representation for bicycle accidents as well. It may feel easy enough to shrug off a cycling accident, but there are many reasons why this isn’t always a smart move. If you’ve been involved in a cycling accident, it’s worth your time to at least sit down with an attorney to review your case. Accident attorneys can help you determine which is the best way for you to proceed.
Injuries Can Be More Serious Than They Appear
Similar to car accidents, soft tissue injuries are often prevalent in bike accidents. Whiplash, neck, shoulder, and knee injuries can take a few days to really appear. You may come away from your accident feeling okay, but even if you think you only have a few scrapes and bruises after your bike accident, it’s still a smart idea to get a physical examination. This examination can identify any injuries that might not be readily apparent.
A medical examination will also provide documentation of the accident and capture your version of events. If your bike accident didn’t warrant calling an ambulance, that doesn’t mean that you weren’t injured. Visiting your doctor right away will help you avoid injuries that worsen over time. Additionally, soft tissue injuries can linger and be difficult to fully heal. Visiting your doctor immediately helps you receive the care you need as well as establishing a treatment plan. No matter how you feel immediately following your accident, be sure to schedule a comprehensive physical exam. Medical issues that require hospitalization can be more straightforward and easier to document for your case.
Insurance Companies Can Be Inconsistent When It Comes to Bicycle Accidents
Receiving a fair settlement from an insurance company is often a difficult experience. This can be even more accurate when you’re involved in a bicycle accident. Physical injuries that are due to a bicycle accident can be much more severe than those caused by an auto accident. Insurance companies often make initial settlement offers that are unfair to the injured. Sadly, this is a practice that doesn’t appear to be going away soon.
It’s important to retain counsel immediately after your accident. Your lawyer will have the information they need to determine if the insurance company’s first offer is a fair one. In the likely event that it’s not, your lawyer will fight for you to get a settlement that’s an accurate reflection of your injuries and how they’ll affect you for the remainder of your life.
It’s Often Difficult to Prove Negligence
Many bike accidents are caused by vehicular negligence. Such scenarios can be difficult to prove. If a car swerves into a bike lane and forces a bicycle rider off-road, it can be a difficult case to prove. Oftentimes, the driver will continue on their way without stopping.
Your attorney will be able to request copies of road surveillance camera footage as well as canvas the area to find eyewitnesses. Expert witnesses are another advantage that comes with working with an attorney following your bike accident. An accident lawyer will be able to use their experience and skills to approach your case in the most advantageous manner possible. They’ll consider your compensation needs for medical bills, past, present, and future loss of income, and damages caused by emotional distress.
No matter how severe your injuries may be, you’ll want strong legal representation fighting for you. This also allows you to leave the legal wrangling to someone else while you focus on healing. Accidents can have long-term effects on your health and well-being, and when you’re also trying to fight your insurance company at the same time, it can soon become overwhelming. Withstanding an accident is stressful enough without additional stress and worry.
A bike accident doesn’t have to mean the end of your active lifestyle. With the right representation, you can be fairly compensated for your losses. Physical recovery can take time, and it helps to have the right legal team working for you. We’re the accident attorneys to call if you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident. The Law Offices of Edward Y Lee can provide a complimentary consultation to review your case. Contact us today to schedule yours!
Note: The information provided in this blog post about injury car accidents in Los Angeles is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
Disclaimer: No attorney-client relationship is established by accessing or using this information. Readers should consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to their situation. The authors make no representations regarding the accuracy or suitability of the information provided and disclaim any liability for reliance on it. Laws and regulations may vary and are subject to change.