A bicycle accident can leave you with serious injuries and a long recovery period. It is easy to feel frustrated when you can’t work and pay your bills, especially when the accident wasn’t even your fault.
If you have been struck by a motorist while riding your bike or otherwise endured an accident that has caused you hardship, you have the right to seek compensation. A Cooper City bicycle accident lawyer can help hold the responsible party liable for your damages.
At Winston Law Firm, our Cooper City personal injury lawyers have recovered over $60 million in awards and settlements for injured accident victims. Call now to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help.
Do You Need an Attorney if You Are in a Bicycle Accident?
It is always smart to consult with a lawyer when you are injured in an accident. Hiring an attorney means partnering with a professional who understands personal injury law. You can rest easy knowing your case is in good hands while you worry about healing.
A skilled lawyer can help you avoid many common mistakes that could damage your case, like taking a lowball settlement from an insurance company. Some insurance providers will try to take advantage of you right after your accident, and before you connect with a lawyer.
Our Cooper City bicycle accident attorneys will know what your claim is worth, and we aren’t going to let insurance companies push you around. We are the ally you need to get fair compensation after your accident.
Identifying Liable Parties
One of your attorney’s most important jobs is identifying all liable parties involved in your accident. We will investigate the events that led to your injury by reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and possibly visiting the accident scene.
Who was to blame for the accident may seem obvious to you, but sometimes multiple parties can play a role. Common liable parties in a bicycle accident include:
- Motorists: Car, truck, or motorcycle operators who drive their vehicles recklessly, speed, disobey traffic laws, or are under the influence put you and everyone else on the road in danger.
- Local government: The government entity responsible for maintaining roads and bike paths may be liable for your injuries if they did not ensure riding areas were safe and free of obstructions.
- The bicycle or parts manufacturer: In cases where a defect or design flaw led to an accident, the bike company may be found at-fault.
- Pedestrians: People who wander into bike lanes, jaywalk, or do not pay attention to their surroundings may cause your crash, no matter how much you try to avoid them.
- You: Because of Florida’s comparative negligence system, you can recover compensation even if you are partially liable for the accident.
Comparative Negligence
Comparative negligence is a legal doctrine that entitles accident victims to compensation even if they were partly at fault, but not if they are more than 50% responsible. The amount of compensation you can receive is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
If you were 30% at fault in an accident, you may only receive 70% of the compensation you might otherwise have been entitled to. If you were 51% responsible, you are not entitled to recover damages.
Calculating Your Compensation
The settlement or award you may receive as a result of your injury will depend on the extent of your injuries. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Cooper City will calculate your maximum compensation based on your damages.
Economic Damages
Your economic damages will comprise the costs and expenses you have incurred because of the accident and injuries. Depending on the specifics of your case, this could include:
- Emergency room care and ambulance transportation after the accident’
- Doctor and specialist visits
- Medications you require due to your injuries
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Operations and procedures
- Future medical costs, such as medications and ongoing therapy
- Lost wages you missed when you couldn’t work
- Property damage
Keeping documentation on all of your expenses that resulted from the accident can help your attorney understand the extent of your economic damages and ensure all of your costs are included.
Non-economic Damages
Non–economic damages are harder to prove than economic damages and are not always recoverable. These address the social, emotional, and mental toll your injuries have taken on you. They may include things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your attorney can advise you if non-economic damages might be included in your settlement.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
We’ll deal with the insurance companies. If they attempt to contact you directly, advise them that you have hired a lawyer and refer them to us. We can file your claims and handle all necessary correspondence so you can heal in peace.
When the time comes, we will negotiate with insurance providers for a fair settlement that covers your damages and makes a difference in your life. If everything goes well, this is all it takes to close your case so you can put the ordeal behind you.
Unfortunately, sometimes insurance companies need a little more encouragement to do the right thing. While we would rather it not come to a lawsuit, we aren’t going to back away from a fight. If necessary, we’ll file a civil suit and let a court decide your award.
Contact a Cooper City Bicycle Accident Attorney
When you ride your bike, you are vulnerable. Motorists have a duty of care to operate their vehicles safely. When they don’t, accidents can happen, and that could mean major injuries for a bicycle rider. Suddenly, you are hurt, you can’t work, and you can’t pay your bills.
Insurance companies are supposed to help you when you are injured, but sometimes they aren’t on your side. We are. Our Cooper City bicycle accident lawyers will fight to get you the compensation you need to pay your bills and begin to recover after a bike crash.
Our team at Winston Law Firm has decades of combined experience sticking up for injured people in need. Check out attorney Bradley Winston’s free e-book, Five Deadly Sins that Can Wreck Your Injury Claim, or contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
