Signs You Need A Lawyer After A Bicycle Accident
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident in Florida because of the negligence of another party, it might not be clear to you whether you should contact an attorney. Generally, it’s always a good idea to call a lawyer after being involved in a bicycle accident. However, while, as lawyers, we would tell anyone who has been involved in a bicycle accident to contact a lawyer, the following are some signs that you need a bicycle accident lawyer;
Sign #1: You Suffered Injuries
You need to contact an attorney if you were injured in your Florida bicycle accident. Injuries mean medical bills, and the harsh reality is that medical treatment in the United States can be expensive. However, the good news is that if you suffered severe injuries in a Florida bicycle accident due to another party’s negligence, an attorney might be able to help you file a claim against the negligent party and recover compensation for your medical expenses.
Sign #2: You Are Unable To Return To Work
After suffering injuries in a bicycle accident, a victim may be unable to resume work. And when a victim does not go to work, it can result in lost wages. If you cannot return to work and earn a living because of the injuries you suffered in your Florida bicycle accident, it is a sign that you need a lawyer. If another party’s negligence caused your accident, a qualified lawyer might be able to help you file a compensation claim and recover your lost wages.
Sign #3: The Other Party Is Denying Fault
Sometimes, a party will accept liability, and the victim will recover compensation without any complications. In other cases, a party will deny fault. Some people even pin the blame on the victims. Amazingly, we have seen NEIGHBORS of victims deny causing an accident, as they lie so their rates don’t increase. If the party that caused your bicycle accident is denying responsibility, it is an obvious sign that you need an attorney. An attorney can help prove liability on the other party’s part. A lawyer can help prove that you are not to blame for your bicycle accident. And if you are also to blame for your accident, an attorney can ensure that you are apportioned the correct percentage of the blame and not a higher percentage.
Sign #4: You Have Received a Settlement Offer From the At-fault Party’s Insurance Company
If you filed an accident claim after your bicycle accident and have received a settlement offer from the at-fault party’s insurance company, you should contact an attorney. It would be best if you didn’t accept the settlement offer from the insurance company before having a qualified lawyer review it. The insurance company might be trying to lowball you, and, unfortunately, if you accept the offer, you cannot ask for more later if you discover you were unfairly compensated.
Sign #5: You Have Experienced Significant Pain and Suffering
Contact an attorney immediately if you have experienced significant pain and suffering due to your bicycle accident injuries. You can recover compensation for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages such as loss of enjoyment of life and emotional distress. But you need an attorney to help you prove and value such damages.
Sign #6: The at-fault party left the scene of the crash
If the at-fault party left the scene of the crash (aka “hit and run”) you can still file a claim through YOUR auto insurance company and receive benefits. YOUR auto insurance company will pay for your medical treatment (through your PIP coverage) and pain and suffering (through your uninsured motorist coverage, when available). Going through your own auto insurance on a bicycle crash is NOT something you should do alone – let us help.
Contact a Coral Springs Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you have been involved in a Florida bicycle accident and need help from a qualified lawyer, call our Coral Springs bicycle accident lawyers at Lyons & Snyder.
Source
law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence
