In collisions between motorized vehicles and bicycles, the bicyclist tends to sustain the greatest injuries. Because they do not have the protection of metal doors and airbags, the bicyclist is apt to sustain serious or life-threatening injuries. They may even lose their life. Bicyclists who have been hit by a motorist may be eligible for compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company. With the help of a bicycle accident lawyer who is representing their best interests, an injured bicyclist can get the compensation they deserve for their damages.
Bicyclist vs. Motorist Injury Claims
If you’re already suffering from the pain of your injuries, the last thing you may be up for is handling your injury claim on your own. To ensure the best possible outcome, it may be necessary to document the accident as well as the injuries you suffered. In some cases this requires returning to the scene of the accident. Measurements of skid marks, photographs of the scene showing the placement of traffic lights and road signs, tracking down the at-fault driver’s car to photograph the damage, and much more may be necessary for the claim documentation. For these reasons, many injury victims turn to a law firm, where they can feel at ease knowing that their bicycle accident lawyer is handling everything that is needed for their claim. They are skilled legal representatives with years of experience negotiating settlements on their clients’ behalf and are not intimidated by large insurance conglomerates with deep pockets.
What types of damages can I recover from a negligent motorist?
A bicycle accident lawyer works closely with clients to determine the full extent of their damages, including an assessment of the total compensable value. Very often, a client will not realize just how many of their losses can be included in the injury claim. For example, they can receive compensation for their transportation and parking costs for doctor’s office visits when seeking treatment for their accident injuries. Another example: if the victim sustains a permanent injury which prevents them from returning to their job and they must switch to a lower paying job, they can include the difference in wages until the age of retirement as damages in their claim. There is a very good chance that if you place your claim in the hands of a bicycle accident lawyer, the settlement you receive may be larger than if you handled it on your own.
Turn to a Bicycle Accident Lawyer You Can Trust
Your road to recovery may be painful and difficult. Without a fair settlement, you may be forced to pay some or all of your damages out of your own pocket. Contact a law firm to speak with a bike accident lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT to learn how they can help you.
Thanks to Rasmussen & Miner for their insight into personal injury claims and your rights for compensation for a bike accident injury.