Unfortunately, cyclists are frequently injured or killed in auto accidents, much more than people realize. In such scenarios, they may sustain serious injuries from the initial collision or from being thrown off their bikes to the ground. These collisions may be with cars, SUVs, trucks, or other types of motor vehicles. The resultant injuries may be severe and can lead to significant medical expenses, missed income, and continuing financial difficulties, not to mention the physical and mental trauma.
If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident in Florida, you should hire a personal injury attorney immediately. Personal injury attorneys will do everything in their power to make sure you obtain whole, proper, and fair compensation in your personal injury lawsuit. Kaire & Heffernan is one of the best personal injury law firms not only in the area but in the nation. For the last two decades, our Florida bicycle accident lawyers have been assisting victims in recovering financially and getting back on their feet. We can help you get the best outcome with your personal injury case.
If someone hurt you on your bike ride, it is only fair that they repay you for your medical bills and loss of wages or other damages. However, be careful not to take anything from their insurance company without first talking to a personal injury lawyer. Most insurance companies never want to make the full payment, therefore their initial offer is always less than what the actual compensation should be. An experienced personal injury lawyer will advocate for your rights and make sure you get what you deserve.
Why Do You Need an Attorney for a Bicycle Accident?
People often ask – is it worth hiring a personal injury attorney for a simple bicycle accident? Here are a few reasons why it is important that you hire one:
Many Times the Injuries are More Severe
As a cyclist, you are fully exposed to the vehicle that struck you as well as the road surface and sidewalk. This could make things go really bad for you during a collision, even if you are wearing protective gear like a helmet or pads. There is a chance that you may have been sandwiched between the car and the ground, road barrier, building, or another immovable object. In a personal injury case, this horrendous experience causes more trauma for a bicyclist than it does for the person with the protection of a vehicle around them.
Bicycles are particularly vulnerable to damage because of their lack of physical protection. When compared to motor vehicle accidents, bicycles are dangerously susceptible to injuries and damage due to the nature of their structure and operation. Cycling accidents have a very high rate of people getting injured. Statistics say that 73% of people who are involved in a bicycle accident get injured and 0.8% of them die. Bicyclists make up 2% of all motor vehicle accident fatalities.
If you are hurt while cycling or even walking, you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following the incident. What you’ve been through can have long-lasting effects, and no one should underestimate it. A competent personal injury attorney will ensure that you are properly compensated for your losses and any future problems stemming from the accident.
You Are Not in a Good Position to Make Decisions
When it comes to a personal injury claim, most victims do not know how badly they have been hurt. If you are injured as a cyclist or pedestrian and are conscious or even walking after the accident, you are likely just glad you survived. You may not feel the extent of your injuries right away, but you will eventually realize how much damage was actually caused.
An effective lawyer understands that you may be dealing with significant injuries and long-term negative effects that you were unaware of at the time immediately following the accident. They will help you take measure of all of the damages and can get you the compensation you deserve.
Even if there are only minor injuries, being hit by a car is usually traumatic and emotionally shocking. The unexpected collision will have an impact on your ability to think clearly, which can make it difficult for you to act on your behalf. This is what makes an experienced personal injury attorney important. They can handle things sensibly and professionally while you concentrate on your recovery.
You Need a Proper Medical Examination
Only after being thoroughly examined by medical experts will you know the full extent of your injuries. This might involve checking for internal injuries or other hidden conditions that may affect your health in the future. Many bicycle accident victims have been cheated out of fair payouts in the belief that they were not harmed, only to discover later that they had injuries that took longer to surface.
This is precisely what a personal injury lawyer wants to avoid for you, and this is why you need to employ the best attorney possible. Your personal injury attorney will ensure that you are thoroughly examined by certified medical professionals to determine what kind of compensation is due to you.
Determining the Cause of the Accident
If you wish to seek compensation, one of the first steps is to determine what transpired on the scene. A seasoned attorney will begin an immediate investigation once you engage them.
The facts and evidence that are gathered after this investigation will be submitted to the court to assist you in obtaining financial reparations. All relevant information is collected, including the details of what traffic was like at the time of the accident, witness statements, police reports, medical records of injuries, and so on. You never know what will be significant, which is why you’ll need a personal injury lawyer to help you along the way.
What Kinds of Settlements Are Available Following a Cycling Accident?
Medical expenses
Your personal injury lawyer will get you the full amount charged by health care providers for all accident-related treatment repaid. They can do this even if you had health insurance coverage for a portion of your medical expenses connected with the accident. After your accident and the treatment following, you may be asked to submit an expense report. This will cover medical bills for your accident and any other anticipated care requirements.
Property damage
Your attorney will request compensation for expenses associated with repairing or replacing your bike, as well as for any other equipment that was damaged.
Pain and suffering
You are entitled to consideration for whatever pain or suffering you go through as a result of the accident. Whether it is physical, emotional, or psychological, you should be compensated. Our legal team at Kaire & Heffernan will collaborate with you throughout the process of documenting how your injuries have impacted your life and we will demand fair compensation for your ongoing struggles. If you used to ride a bike regularly for work, exercise, or pleasure and can’t anymore because of the accident, this may be especially important for you.
We go the lengths
When people get hurt in accidents, they often have medical bills and lost income. To make sure we take all of this into account, we sometimes talk with other experts such as physicians and financial planners. This helps us to have a better understanding of the economic impact the accident has had on you.
Get a Reliable Florida Bicycle Injury Attorney
If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident, contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer from Kaire & Heffernan as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights. At this personal injury law firm, our Florida bicycle accident lawyers can get started on investigating the collision right away while the evidence is still accessible and before limits on the personal injury claim come into effect.
Schedule a free legal consultation with one of the Kaire & Heffernan attorneys in Florida now. The initial consultation at this personal injury law firm is one hundred percent free and obligation-free. When you choose us for your legal representation, we will go the extra mile for you. We can meet with you at our law offices, in your home, or at the hospital – whichever works best for you. For a quick response, contact us online right now, or call us on a toll-free line at 305-376-7860.