When bicyclists collide with cars or other vehicles, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic. While the rider will hopefully be wearing a helmet, this is likely to be the only protection they have in the event of a crash. Because of this, it is not uncommon for bike riders to be seriously injured or even killed in these types of collisions.
Recovering compensation can be an essential step in the healing process. If you were struck by a car while riding your bicycle, you would likely face serious injuries resulting in significant medical bills. Without compensation from the liable party, you may find that your options are incredibly limited.
At the 1Law office in Orem, we have a proven track record of helping bicycle accident victims recover the money they need to put these tragic accidents behind them. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form today for a free consultation with one of our Orem bicycle accident lawyers.
The first thing you need to determine before you can collect damages after a bicycle accident is whether or not you have a valid claim. If another party caused your bicycle accident, and you suffered injuries or other damages, you have a right to recover compensation.
A bicycle accident lawyer can help you prove liability and build your case for compensation. If you were the one who caused the accident, your only option for recovering compensation would likely be to submit a claim to your insurer. The money you can recover in this manner will likely be limited.
You may be tempted to take the money being offered by an insurance company after you get in a bicycle accident. However, doing so could put you in a very difficult position. When insurers make early settlement offers, it is not intended to be helpful.
Instead, the purpose is to get victims to accept lowball settlement deals before they know the full extent of their damages. Hiring a lawyer early can help protect you against these predatory practices. You can make the insurer go through your lawyer for all communication.
An experienced attorney will be well aware of the tactics used by insurers and will be able to fight back accordingly. Hiring a lawyer will give you the best chance of recovering the money you need after an accident. Those who obtain legal representation, typically end up with significantly more compensation than those who attempt to represent themselves.
When filing a bicycle accident lawsuit in Orem, it is essential that you pay attention to the statute of limitations. Utah generally gives bicycle accident victims four years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit. However, that period can be significantly reduced in some situations. For example, when the at-fault party is a government agency, you will have far less time to file.
The best way to ensure that you meet all deadlines and protect your right to recover damages is by hiring a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash.
When you hire a bicycle accident lawyer, you will never have to worry about being able to afford their fee. While many types of lawyers charge their clients for every minute they spend working on their case, bicycle accident attorneys and other personal injury lawyers do things a bit differently.
These attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only collect a fee if you recover compensation. When you hire a bicycle accident lawyer, you will agree to pay them a certain percentage of the money you recover from the liable party. This means that the more money you get, the bigger the payday will be for your lawyer.
Should your lawyer fail to secure compensation for you, they won’t get paid for the work they put into your case. This system helps ensure that your attorney has your best interests at heart since your fates are aligned. It also makes it so that all accident victims can afford legal representation since you never have to worry about paying your attorney directly.
After a bicycle accident lawsuit, you will likely be eligible to recover a wide range of damages. You may receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Common economic damages include:
Common non-economic damages cover losses such as:
In certain cases, you may also be eligible to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are only awarded in a small percentage of bicycle accident cases. These damages are designed to punish the liable party rather than replace the losses of the accident victim like the damages mentioned above.
Punitive damages are awarded when the actions of the at-fault party are determined to have been criminally negligent or carried out with the intention of causing harm.
At the 1Law office in Orem, our team of bicycle accident lawyers is dedicated to recovering fair compensation for your clients. If you have been injured in a crash, we are prepared to see your case all the way through to trial if necessary to ensure that you get the money you need.
Fill out our online contact form, use our free legal chat tool, or give us a call today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review the details of your case and advise you of all your legal options.