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Generally, after a bicycle accident, you should get an attorney as soon as you can. They will manage all aspects of your case, including:
- Collecting and analyzing evidence
- Proving the other party’s negligence
- Handling the correspondence
- Determining the extent of your losses
- Negotiating a settlement with the insurance company
- Arguing your case in a trial if they can’t settle
While they work out your case, focus on treatment and getting back to normal.
Why Hiring a Lawyer After a Bicycle Accident is Important
Building a case for compensation takes time and energy. After you’re hurt in a bicycle accident, you may want to enlist legal help quickly. Your lawyer can get to work on your case right away so that they can access evidence before it disappears and start collecting records that show your damages.
Here are some other reasons why hiring a Georgia bicycle accident attorney may benefit you:
You May Have Suffered Serious Injuries
A bicycles’ design offers very little physical protection — which explains why most cyclists usually sustain major injuries in accidents. There have been cases where victims have suffered from spinal cord injuries, concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and bone fractures. Suffering from any of these injuries may lead to a pile of high medical bills; it’s only fair if the liable party compensates you.
While you are not required to hire a bicycle accident attorney, you might not be in a position to represent yourself. An attorney will help you with the legal processes as you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Sorting Out Liability Concerns
To begin with, nobody likes to take liability, so it may not be as straightforward as it may seem to you; you’ll need to provide evidence implicating the other party’s liability. Doing this task alone might not be that easy.
They will help you gather evidence by looking into police reports, talking to witnesses, and assessing the videos and images of the accident scene. After pinning liability on the other party, you can build a strong case.
Shield You from Unfair Tactics from the Insurance Company
The negotiation phase can be difficult even after successful evidence collection and determination of the liable person for your bicycle accident. For instance, the responsible party’s insurance company’s adjusters may try to offer you a settlement that is less than you are entitled to recover.
Insurance companies may try to devalue your claim or convince you to accept an insufficient offer. However, with the help of a bicycle attorney, they can protect you from these bad faith tactics and work to ensure the insurer compensates you accordingly.
Factors to Consider When Looking for a Bicycle Accident Attorney
Not every lawyer is suitable for handling your bicycle accident claim. You might want to pay attention to these factors when choosing an attorney to represent you:
- The law firm’s experience in bicycle accident cases
- Case results and testimonials
- Reliability
- The attorney’s qualifications and certifications
- The services they provide
What Else Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?
Apart from hiring a bicycle accident lawyer, there are some things that you should do before meeting your attorney. They include:
- Reporting the bicycle crash to the police
- Taking pictures and videos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Saving every document that shows evidence of your losses
- Getting information of the other involved parties
- Focusing on recovery by visiting a doctor as soon as possible
Going to the doctor immediately after a bicycle accident is crucial for your health. You need to get proper medical care for your injuries before they get worse. Not only that, but you may be suffering from injuries that haven’t shown symptoms yet. When the doctor examines you and runs tests, they can detect these injuries and start treating them right then.
Also, acquiring prompt medical attention links the bicycle collision to your injuries. That way, the insurance company will have a more difficult time blaming your injuries on something else.
Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers Today
Serving Georgia and South Carolina, George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers is ready to fight for you. For over 40 years, we have resolved over 50,000 cases1, with bicycle accident cases among them. When you come to us injured after a bicycle accident, we understand that the last thing you need is more work.
For that, we will handle the paperwork and the insurance company and help you recover your compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Contact us today for a free case review. Also, go through our past clients’ testimonials to learn more about how we serve our clients and approach their cases.