If you've been injured in a bicycle accident, then you may be entitled to compensation. Reach out to an experienced attorney at The Keating Firm LTD. for a free case evaluation to determine where you stand and what your next move may look like.
There's no need for you to worry about what the cost may look like as there is no charge associated with the case review provided by one of our personal injury lawyers.
You would find this to be beneficial not only because it's free, but also because our legal team can provide direction on what your next step should be.
Bicycle accidents happen all the time and some victims end up facing serious injuries, particularly if motor vehicles are a part of the situation.
We encourage you to review the information below if you have any doubts about why a bicycle accident attorney is paramount to your success, particularly if compensation from the negligent party is involved.
When Should You Reach out to a Personal Injury Lawyer?
As a rule of thumb, you want to reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident, truck accident, or other accident occurs that may have included you and your bicycle.
You want to do this as soon as you have ensured (where the possibility exists) that the police and medical care have already been accounted for. If there is a motor vehicle involved, then it's in your best interest to gather evidence and retain the details of the negligent driver, such as driver's license info, registration info, insurance company info, etc.
On the topic of the insurance company, avoid speaking to the provider for any other party involved in the motor vehicle accident. Even if a representative reaches out to you directly and you feel as if there is no catastrophic injury, wait to have your legal representation involved.
Even if the insurance company reaches out almost immediately, communicate that you want your bicycle accident lawyer in Columbus to be involved before you have the conversation, even if you are yet to contact one.
Common Bicycle Accident Reasons
There are numerous reasons a bicycle accident may take place and leave one or more parties injured. Some of these are as follows:
Distracted driving - A distracted driver may be doing one of many things that constitute negligence, including texting, eating, etc. This may cause the said driver to run into bicycle lanes or execute some other unwanted action that leads to motor vehicle accidents.
Intoxicated drivers - Many a personal injury attorney has dealt with these kinds of bicycle accident cases, where people in Columbus, Ohio have sustained injuries because of the loss of natural function associated with intoxicated driving. This often causes accidents to happen and may even include a loss of life
Structural defects - In these scenarios, the problem arises from a fault in the road infrastructure. Even if there are designated bicycle lanes, potholes, uneven terrain, or defects in sidewalks can contribute to a bike accident.
Weather or light impairment - It's unlikely that you're buying a bicycle with lights affixed at purchase time. However, you should contribute to avoiding catastrophes such as car accidents by purchasing and affixing the required lighting to the bicycle. Inclement weather or a lack of natural light can create a situation where bicyclists cannot see, and you need to always protect yourself from such a scenario where nature or motorists become a huge challenge as you are riding.
Bicycle malfunctions - Always pay personal attention to the state of your bicycle, as it's going to be much harder for your personal injury lawyer to claim damages on your behalf if you sustained head injuries because your bicycle wasn't up to scratch. Never expose yourself to this kind of danger as a rider. This is your health or life and the lawsuit may end up being against you as a bicyclist riding in this manner.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect?
A bicycle accident attorney, after your free consultation, may indicate that the plan is to seek maximum compensation for your medical expenses, alongside other damages that you may have incurred from the incident.
With that said, you may be wondering what the future looks like and what fair compensation would look like in the eyes of Ohio law.
Your eventual settlement may include one or more of the following, which may fall under economic or non-economic damages.
Medical Bills
As you'd expect, this speaks to charges that a person may incur from having to visit the hospital after being hit or falling off a bicycle due to some other form of negligence.
The basic care, support, scans, medication, and just about any other medical piece of the process are likely going to yield expenses.
Income Losses
Personal injury cases that involve bikes often see accident victims end up with spinal cord injuries or other physical damages that render them unable to work for an extended period.
Of course, this means losing out on the money they would typically earn for the entire time recovery is happening.
A bicycle accident lawyer from any reputable law firm is going to seek justice by fighting for this economic damage payout as a part of your compensation package.
Pain and Suffering
It's often difficult to say just how much compensation should be received from the liable party where pain and suffering is concerned. However, accident law often attempts to quantify what kind of effects are present and how a victim's life is being affected after a structural or auto accident has occurred.
Still, attempting to financially represent a difficult time is a challenge that only professional attorneys are suited for.
Bicycle Repair
If your bicycle was struck by a speeding car or truck, for example, or it has become damaged from some other negligent act, then your lawyer is likely going to also negotiate compensation for whatever damages your bicycle has incurred in the process.
At the end of the process, you are still going to need to be riding again, and someone, whether an individual, a business, or the government, needs to cover the determined price to return you to normalcy.
Wrongful Death
Unfortunately, this is one of those losses that provide the toughest time for clients, such as a distraught family member. In this case, the process ensures that loved ones of cyclists receive compensation after death is the result of a Columbus, Ohio auto accident.
Other Losses
Note that the losses explained above are not the only ones a personal injury attorney can seek under the law. When hiring accident attorneys, you often get advice on what kind of damages you have to deal with.
The lawyer usually also takes time to explain what you deserve and what the strategy is to fight for your claim, even if it means going to court to have you compensated fairly for what you have suffered.
Types of Injuries You May Sustain from Bicycle Accidents
After a crash or other catalyst for an accident that a cyclist may deal with, the claimant may be dealing with one or more mild to severe injuries. Here's a look at what some of those may look like in a personal injury case.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Everyone can agree that a TBI is one of the worse injuries that can occur out of the whole ordeal. It occurs when there is trauma to or significant shaking of the head.
In severe cases, it can result in a permanent cognitive decline for a motorcyclist. The amount of compensation to be paid here depends on what the outcome is where the victim's health is concerned.
Whiplash Injury
This is a neck injury caused by a sudden motion where the neck snaps forward and then backward forcibly. A patient who has suffered such an injury often has challenges where muscles, discs, nerves, and tendons in the neck are concerned.
Again, the level of compensation victims obtain tends to be based on the effect.
Paralysis
This tends to occur in a motor vehicle accident that results in damage to the spinal cord. Unfortunately, many of these spinal cord injuries after crashes lead to permanent partial or full paralysis.
In permanent cases, there's often complete loss of function in the arms, legs, or everything below the neck.
Broken Bones
After a collision, there may be major or minor bone damage to be taken into consideration. Bones can take damage following trauma and end up with anything from a crack to a complete break.
Even the way the bone breaks can differ, as there can be a crack, a horizontal or vertical fracture, or it can shatter into pieces.
Why You Should Let The Keating Firm Provide You with a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
After an accident, you can choose to retain a bicycle accident attorney to take you through the entire process of seeking redress via the law. While attorneys don't need to be retained by clients, you should very much consider hiring one.
First, you are now in a rut because of someone else's mistake, such as drinking, failing to yield at a stop sign, or running into designated bike lanes.
There's a legal process involved in getting what is owed from the motorist, organization, or whichever party is at fault and you likely are not familiar with the statutes involved to walk out of these situations with a win.
A bicycle accident attorney knows how to navigate the legal proceedings of car accidents in a professional manner, thanks to extensive knowledge and experience.
At The Keating Firm, team members lean on the resources of the entire firm to search for required details, investigate the series of events, contact relevant parties, gather evidence as required, and carry out any other tasks that may be relevant to the potential suit.
You end up in a position where you can focus on recovering from your injury as you have a bicycle accident lawyer who is dedicated to easing your burden and one who is ready to answer any questions you may have.
You are in good hands with a bike accident lawyer from our team that has created many satisfied clients who have also dealt with car, motorcycle, and even pedestrian accidents. Expect to experience great pleasure working with us.
Contact an Expert Hilliard Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today!
Bicycle accidents are no joke for the rider, especially when the person tends to be unprepared for what the future holds where dealing with the legal system is concerned.
If you want a law firm that is big on communication and one that makes a commitment to provide the best of services to bike accident clients, reach out to us for a free consultation today!
Whether you're in Hilliard, Columbus, Ohio, or any surrounding location, we have a top-tier bicycle accident attorney for you!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
You are not mandated to retain an attorney after bicycle accidents, however, doing so would be more conducive to helping you determine and secure a proper settlement. This is especially necessary when you have sustained injuries.
Therefore, if you have been in a bicycle accident, regardless of if there are no vehicles involved, contact an accident lawyer as soon as possible.
What if I'm Offered a Respectable Sum from the Offender's Insurance Company Before I talk to an Attorney?
Insurance companies offer to pay amounts that prevent them from having to pay you what you are truly owed as an injured bicyclist. Research can tell you that it's a business practice aimed at protecting the company and not the clients who have hospital and other expenses dealing with.
Even if an insurance company reaches out immediately, decline to speak with no personal injury lawyer in the mix.
How Much Does It Cost to Retain a Bicycle Accident Lawyer from The Keating?
First, the process starts with a free case evaluation. Additionally, there is no fee requirement unless the accident attorney manages to successfully help you win your case.
At that point, the attorney is compensated out of the settlement that you receive from the proceedings.