In just seconds, a calm ride on a beautiful day can turn into something catastrophic. It may alarm you to learn that nearly 1,000 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2021. While not all collisions result in death, bicyclists are prone to experiencing serious injuries in these scenarios.
It’s crucial to understand if you have a case if you’ve experienced a bicycle crash, and we’ve written a quick guide to get you started on the right track. Let’s explore the key information you need to know before moving forward.
Determining Fault
It’s essential to consider who was at fault before you speak with an attorney. In general, the party who broke a traffic law before or during the collision is the one at fault. This also applies to bicyclists, however.
To clarify, let’s assume you were writing your bike in a bike lane on a busy street. You then illegally crossed the street before riding over the median. As you crossed to the opposite side of the road, you were struck by a vehicle.
In a scenario like this, the cyclist would be at fault and would have a difficult time pursuing legal action. Not all cases are this cut and dry, though.
Multiple people can be at fault in a single incident. There could also be blame on both sides.
Using the above example, the bicyclist could have crossed the road illegally before being struck by a drunk driver. A reputable attorney can help you sort things out and avoid common problems accident victims face.
Your Injuries Are Severe
If your injuries are severe after your crash, chances are you can take legal action against the other party. Being struck by a vehicle can easily lead to major issues, even if you are wearing a helmet.
Road rash, broken bones, and internal bleeding are all common. The more severe your injuries are, the more compensation you’ll have to pursue to accommodate your condition.
Medical bills quickly add up, and even a brief stay in a hospital can exceed $100,000. When including costs related to medication and physical therapy, working with a lawyer is likely the only way you’ll afford it. The alternative would involve making substantial monthly payments for years afterward.
The Other Party Was Negligent
Negligence plays a large role in determining whether you have a case. If you were injured due to your negligence, you might have trouble building a case.
This is especially true if you were also breaking other traffic laws in the process. However, experiencing injury due to someone else’s negligence is a major sign you should talk to a lawyer.
The Other Party Fled the Scene
Victims of hit-and-run accidents often have solid cases. Even if the collision occurred due to the cyclist’s actions, leaving the scene is still illegal.
Everyone involved in the accident needs to wait for the police to arrive so the collision can be documented. They also must call for support if the other parties aren’t in stable condition.
For example, let’s assume a driver struck a cyclist and knocked them unconscious. The driver never called emergency services or got out of their car. Instead, they waited in their vehicle while figuring out what to do. If the cyclist died due to help not arriving in time, the driver could face legal consequences. If the driver doesn’t stay at the scene, do your best to remember everything you can about them. This includes their appearance, the make/model of their car, and their license plate number.
Finding a Bicycle Crash Attorney
There are certain attributes to consider when looking for a bicycle crash attorney. These go a long way toward getting the best results. Listed below are some of the most notable.
Experience
How experienced is the attorney? Only work with attorneys who’ve been in the industry for at least a decade. This guarantees they’ve dealt with hundreds or even thousands of cases like yours. They’ll understand the nuances associated with bicycle crashes. This allows them to overcome major obstacles they otherwise couldn’t have.
Reputation
Explore what other people have to say about the attorney’s reputation. A brief Google search can tell you everything you need to know. Keep an eye out for what people have to say about the attorney’s professionalism, timeliness, and communicativeness. If you can’t find anything about them online, it’s best to search elsewhere.
Pricing
To avoid financial surprises, it’s essential to find an attorney who has reasonable rates. In most situations situations, an attorney will work on a contingency basis.This means you pay nothing upfront and they take their compensation from your winnings. If you don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay anything. For this reason, many people prioritize attorneys who work on contingency. Shop around until you find a suitable option.
Success Rate
Many attorneys attempt to settle cases before they ever see the courtroom. The last thing you want is to hire an attorney who’s not prepared to go to trial. Succeeding in court takes knowledge and experience, and the only way to get better is to spend more time in this setting. When searching for attorneys, ask about their courtroom experience. If they attempt to deflect this question or change the subject, this is a red flag you can’t ignore. They should have no issue being fully transparent about what they’re capable of.
Take Action ASAP
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle crash, it’s essential to take action as soon as possible. This will give you a much greater chance of getting the justice you deserve. Do your due diligence when searching for an attorney so you can find someone who can handle your case effectively.
The team at the Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan strives to exceed all expectations and create an amazing client experience. We believe legal representation should be fast, transparent, and reliable. You’ll learn more about how we can help when you schedule a consultation today.