Bicyclists are far more exposed in a collision than the drivers of passenger vehicles, and are much more likely to be injured in a collision. That said, bike riders do not always need a lawyer to get payment after a crash. If the incident was minor and did not cause any lasting damage, the biker may be able to get proper compensation from his insurance company without the aid of an attorney. However, if your injuries were severe enough that you took an ambulance to the hospital, underwent extensive treatment, or were unable to return to work for at least a week, you should seek the assistance of an attorney as soon as you are able.
Reasons to Hire a Lawyer After You Are Hurt in a Bicycle Accident
For many victims, the question isn’t whether to hire an attorney, but at what point they should seek an attorney’s advice. Some may wait and see if the insurer will make an offer that will cover their costs, while others are simply too injured and overwhelmed by the aftermath of a crash to take on the additional burden of finding a legal representative. Unfortunately, it is often beneficial to hire a lawyer sooner rather than later—and those who hire a lawyer too late may risk their right to injury compensation.
Hiring an injury attorney early offers many benefits to your case, including:
- Collecting viable evidence. Evidence in an accident case can be lost or destroyed in the days and weeks following the crash. The longer the delay in conducting an investigation, the greater the chance that vital evidence will be lost. Your attorney can track down witnesses, find any accident footage, get a copy of the police report, and take photos of the scene to corroborate your story.
- Proving negligence. Even if you were the only one hurt in a crash, you will still need to prove negligence in an injury case to get compensation. Many victims who are coping with broken bones or traumatic brain injuries do not have the time, energy, or legal knowledge to build an effective case. An injury attorney knows what must be done to prove negligence, and can hire accident reconstructionists or expert witnesses to testify on your behalf.
- Preventing mistakes that can hurt your case. Victims often make mistakes early in the process that can prevent them from collecting payment. An attorney can stop victims from giving a recorded statement to an insurer or signing documents or medical records authorizations that can give the other party an unfair advantage.
- A strong negotiating position. Insurance adjusters have years of training in devaluing claims and getting victims to agree to low settlements. Victims who attempt to “go it alone” may share too much with the adjuster, accept a settlement before the injury has fully healed, or fail to calculate the full amount of their losses. An attorney who has bicycle accident experience will be able to make an accurate estimate of your losses and can take an offer to an insurer without succumbing to the company’s manipulative tactics.
- Expediting your case. There are many deadlines that must be met throughout an injury claim, including notifying your insurance company of a crash, filing documents, and bringing a case before the statute of limitations expires. Your attorney will not only ensure that deadlines are met, but will also address any delays (such as getting copies of your injury records from medical facilities and completing court paperwork) to get you the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible.
At GriffithLaw, we handle the details of your case while you focus on your recovery. Our legal team can begin an immediate investigation of the facts surrounding your accident and advise you on your next steps—and we do not collect any payment from you until your case is won.
Whether we are able to secure you a settlement or your case proceeds to trial, our bicycle accident attorneys will fight to get you the maximum amount of compensation you deserve. Simply fill out the short contact form on this page or request a free copy of our book, The 10 Worst Mistakes You Can Make With Your Tennessee Injury Case.
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