Cycling is a popular mode of transportation in Lincoln, Nebraska, offering a healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around the city. However, cyclists are also vulnerable to accidents involving motor vehicles, which can result in serious injuries or even death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Lincoln, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Investigate the Accident
The first step in pursuing compensation for injuries suffered while cycling is investigating the cause of the accident. A Lincoln bicycle accident lawyer can assist with this process, which may involve contacting witnesses and gathering physical evidence. Distracted or inattentive drivers cause many accidents involving bicyclists. These motorists often fail to share the road with cyclists and cause collisions that severely injure those on two wheels. It is critical for anyone who has suffered a bike crash to seek medical attention. Even if an injury seems minor at the time, a medical professional could detect life-threatening internal damage that would not be evident at the scene of an accident. The doctor could also accurately document these injuries for use in any future claim.
Gather Evidence
As a result of their smaller frames, bicycle riders can suffer serious injuries in collisions with motor vehicles. They also tend to experience disproportionately high economic losses because they are far less protected than drivers in cars or trucks. A Lincoln bicycle accident lawyer will investigate the crash to gather evidence, including witness information. It is important to contact witnesses soon after the accident as memories fade over time. A lawyer can also consult with medical and life-care planning experts to identify past and future costs associated with the crash. This is necessary to calculate the compensation a victim is eligible to receive. It is also useful in addressing any counterarguments the defendant’s insurance company may attempt to use to reduce or deny their claim.
File a Claim
More people are choosing to ride bicycles for environmental and health reasons, but even the most careful cyclists can be injured by negligent drivers. When this happens, you need a skilled lawyer to fight for your rights and interests in pursuing compensation for your injuries and losses. Your attorney will also thoroughly investigate the accident scene, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses to identify important information. Witnesses are notoriously difficult to track, and their memories can fade over time, so this step is essential. A lawyer can help calculate your economic damages if you have been in an accident. This includes medical bills, lost income, property damage and other documented costs related to the accident. Additionally, they can assist you in quantifying your noneconomic damages, such as pain, suffering, and mental distress.
Negotiate a Settlement
Bicycle accidents can result in severe injuries that cause long-term damage to victims. It is essential to seek the assistance of an attorney to ensure that victims receive full compensation for their physical, financial, and emotional suffering. To obtain the maximum amount for your claim, it is necessary to provide evidence that shows the extent of your injuries, the cost of medical treatment, and other related financial losses. An attorney can assist in calculating your total economic damages and preparing a demand letter for the insurer, which outlines your costs. Your attorney can also explain how state criminal charges could impact your civil claims. For example, if the at-fault driver committed a crime, such as driving while intoxicated, they may face additional monetary claims from the victim and the state. This could further increase the amount you receive from a settlement.
Take Your Case to Court
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident due to a driver’s negligence, it is crucial to seek the help of a Lincoln bicycle accident attorney. They can assist you in ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable for the harm they have caused. An experienced attorney can assess the liability and damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other financial losses that could have been prevented by adhering to basic bicycle safety measures. It is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible after a collision because witnesses may forget what they saw, evidence may disappear, and the statute of limitations may expire. Furthermore, a Lincoln bicycle accident lawyer is familiar with filing a claim, negotiating a settlement, or litigating a case in court. Victims can recover two primary damages in a successful personal injury lawsuit: economic and noneconomic quality-of-life damages. To obtain the maximum compensation, it is important to gather all necessary information, including estimates, photos, witness contact data, canceled checks, bills, contracts, and correspondence, and bring them to court for your trial.
