Why You Should Definitely Call A Bicycle Injury Lawyer After A Crash

 

Too many people wait too long to call a bicycle injury lawyer after they’ve been injured in a bicycle crash.

Of course, their reasons almost always make sense. Calling a lawyer sounds expensive; maybe you don’t think your injuries are serious enough to bother with a case; maybe you didn’t even know it was an option for you.

But no matter what your crash looked like, it never hurts to call an attorney to talk about what happened and what your options are. Here’s why.

It’s free, confidential, and no obligation

Talking to a bicycle injury lawyer for an initial consultation is free, confidential, and doesn’t require you to actually pursue a case or hire that lawyer.

As a result, the only thing you have to lose by talking to an attorney is time — but even then, it will often take an experienced attorney about 5-10 minutes to be able to tell you if your case is worth pursuing or not.

Plus, you will likely learn some really valuable information about your rights as a cyclist and your case in particular. If you choose to pursue a case, you’ll be knowledgeable and prepared; if you choose not to, you’ll be a better informed cyclist every day you get on the road.

You most likely don’t understand the strength of your case

Lawyers who works with cyclists know a lot about the laws that surround bicycle crashes. You don’t.

Even though you were there, it is really difficult for the average person to know what is really meaningful about a crash in a legal case. The details that win cases are often surprising; things that you might not even think are worth mentioning could be what gets you coverage for all of your injuries and suffering.

So while you may assume that you don’t have a strong case or that your crash isn’t worth pursuing compensation for, you could very well be wrong.

A lawyer who specializes in bicycle crashes can look at the specifics of your experience and determine whether or not you have a strong case.

The insurance company is focused on their bottom line, not helping you out

Insurance companies are for-profit companies. That means they are in business to make money, not to give it away.

So when you talk to the insurance company and they tell you they will make sure your medical bills get covered, you’re not getting the full story. Too many people find out that the insurance company — who spend all day every day negotiating cases like this, whereas it’s likely your first time — ultimately don’t cover all of their injuries and they are saddled with thousands of dollars in bills they can’t afford. They look for loopholes and will try to get out of paying every single dollar they can.

Lawyers who specialize in bicycle law work with insurance companies all the time; they know the tactics the insurance adjusters will use to get out of paying, and how to get you covered for all of your injuries. People who choose to negotiate without an attorney working on their behalf tend to settle for much, much less than those who do have an attorney on their side.

And as opposed to insurance companies, your lawyer is bound by a code of ethics that are centered around advocating as best as possible for you. Your lawyer doesn’t win unless you win.

An attorney can give you a smart, long term plan

Experienced attorneys have seen cases go really well for cyclists, and they’ve seen them go really poorly. They know the pitfalls you need to avoid so that you can not only get compensation for your injuries, but so that you can get back to living a life without injuries, suffering, and long term loss.

A lawyer’s job is to get into the details. They’ll help you consider every option, and help you understand the most important steps you can take to improve your situation. Even if you don’t hire them, your initial consultation gives you the chance to think through a smart strategy for moving forward after your crash and getting everything you need.

Did you think about getting coverage for property damage? Have you contacted any witnesses? Did you write down your version of the events, including details like weather conditions? Do you know why it’s better to let your injuries heal before negotiating your coverage?

Getting an expert opinion never hurts, especially when it’s free. If you are in a bicycle crash, call us at Bay Area Bicycle Law for your free, no obligation consultation. We will help you think through your case and outline the best next steps towards getting back to your normal life.