If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical assistance. Make sure you follow your doctor’s orders, from rehabilitation to recommendations about returning to work or strenuous activities.
Once your injuries have been stabilized, consider seeking legal counsel. Your bike accident injury lawyer can anticipate strategies the at-fault parties and their insurance companies may employ to avoid taking responsibility for your damages. These can include downplaying the extent of your injuries or suggesting you had preexisting conditions. Hiring a qualified attorney will give you the best chance of recovering maximum compensation for your damages.
Your attorney can also help you establish appropriate amounts of financial restitution to cover your current and projected future expenses. Often, these are not immediately apparent and must be established through evidence such as bills and documentation of your pain and suffering. If you are unable to return to work, your attorney will also ensure that you receive compensation for lost wages.
Bike accidents can lead to serious injuries such as fractures, concussions, and even head trauma. These injuries can have long-term impact on your health, ability to work, and quality of life. An experienced attorney will help you secure the maximum amount of compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and related damages.
Depending on the circumstances, your bicycle accident injury lawyer may also be able to file claims for property damage against other parties involved in the crash, including the city or state if roadway conditions contributed to the accident. These claims must be filed within a strict statutory time frame.
After a bicycle accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company will likely contact you to take your statement or offer a settlement. The insurance company may also hire a private investigator to look into the accident. You should not speak with the insurance company or their investigator without your lawyer present. Your attorney can protect you from being taken advantage of, ensuring you do not say anything that could be used against you in the case.
A bicycle accident injury lawyer can also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring that they provide you with a fair settlement. This can be challenging, as the insurers have years of experience trying to settle cases for as little as possible or denying liability altogether. Your lawyer can send a demand letter to the insurance company on your behalf and represent you in all negotiations, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Your lawyer can also assist you in filing a claim with New York’s no-fault automobile insurance corporation, known as the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation MVAIC. This will provide benefits to victims who are not at fault for their accidents. This is particularly important if you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Your lawyer will be able to guide you through this process and ensure that all the necessary paperwork is filed in accordance with strict deadlines.