If you are a cyclist, you know the challenges of sharing the road with motorists who don’t always pay attention and might not see you even if they do. Unfortunately, you may also understand the impact it can have on your life when a reckless or negligent driver crosses your path.
If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident, you could have a long way to go until your life gets back to normal. A Washington DC bicycle accident lawyer can help you hold the responsible party liable and pursue compensation for your damages.
Our Washington DC personal injury lawyers at Kitchel Law have more than 28 years of combined experience helping injured people get justice for the harm they’ve suffered. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and tell us your story.
Should You Take a Settlement After a Bicycle Accident?
After your accident, a representative of the at-fault party’s insurance company might reach out to you with a settlement offer. It might seem like they are trying to be helpful by contacting you quickly and getting much-needed cash into your hands.
Unfortunately, sometimes they are just looking out for their interests, not yours. An insurance provider may offer a very low settlement, hoping you’ll take it and waive your rights to future claims. They’re trying to take advantage of you during a tough time.
Insurance companies and their sketchy tactics represent one of the most important reasons to speak with a lawyer as soon after your accident as possible. Our Washington DC bicycle accident attorneys will understand what your claim is worth and fight for a fair settlement.
What Are Damages In a Bicycle Accident?
When you are injured in an accident, your debts can add up quickly. Recovering your damages via a claim through the at-fault party’s insurance can help you get your finances back in order and pay for the care you need.
Awards and settlements in a bicycle accident case can range from thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands and even more, depending on the circumstances. The amount you may be able to recover is contingent upon your damages.
Typically, you can recover costs related to:
- Medical care
- Lost wages
- Future medical needs
- Property damage
You may be eligible to recover compensation for non-economic factors, including pain and suffering. We call these “life damages.” Being hit by a car when you are on a bike is not the same as a car vs car crash when you are protected inside a car.
Cyclists are vulnerable, and we often see signs of emotional trauma in our clients as they recover from a bike crash – frankly, these injuries are sometimes worse than the physical ones. Your attorney can work with you on this issue in your specific case.
Who Is Liable in a Bicycle Accident?
Many serious injuries in bicycle accidents occur due to collisions with cars or trucks. When the driver is negligent, they may be liable for your damages. This includes situations where they were speeding, driving recklessly, distracted, or intoxicated.
It can also include cases where they were unaware of their surroundings and therefore your presence, such as:
- Left hook and right hook turns: When the car driver cuts off a cyclist, causing the bike rider to collide with the car or truck
- Intersection accidents: When drivers ignore traffic signals or don’t see a cyclist until it is too late
- Lane incursions: When motorists don’t see or disregard cyclists who are legally traveling on a roadway
- Door crashes: When a parked driver opens their door into the path of an oncoming cyclist without looking
Sometimes the responsible party isn’t another driver. Sometimes, the DC government is responsible because it failed to repair a pothole after being given fair warning.
Other times, utilities are responsible when dangerous structures cause wheel entrapment. (This picture shows how our client’s tire became wedged, causing him to be thrown from his bike, sustaining a traumatic brain injury.
Additional Liable Parties
Your bicycle accident lawyer in Washington DC will investigate your crash and uncover all liable parties. While motorists are the most common culprits, other parties may be fully or partially at fault for your crash, including:
- Another cyclist who is riding recklessly
- A pedestrian who meanders into a bike lane
- A third driver, if their actions contribute to the crash
- The local government, if it created situations that make biking unsafe
What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?
Your actions in the hours and days following your accident can play a major role in your legal case. The right choices here can make your attorney’s job easier and improve your chances of getting the compensation you need.
See a Doctor
If you haven’t already gotten medical attention, see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Most importantly, following your doctor’s order means you have the best chance of recovering after your crash. Your medical records can serve as evidence of the severity of your injuries.
Write a Narrative
Write an unofficial account of how the accident happened, from your perspective, while events are still fresh in your mind. This can help your lawyers understand what happened, as well as assist you in remembering events later on.
Contact an Attorney
Consulting with an attorney early in the claims process can help you stay on track and avoid common errors that could jeopardize your case. We can file your claim, handle the paperwork, and ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines.
Inform the Police
In Washington DC, you must inform the police of any accident involving an injury. This should have happened at the time of the incident. If it didn’t, contact the police as soon as possible so that a report is on file documenting your crash.
Document Everything
Keep track of your expenses and bills, and retain copies of invoices that show what you have paid or owe. It’s also a good idea to record how the accident has impacted you and your family. Your attorney can use this information when considering your damages.
Contact a Washington DC Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you have been in a bicycle accident and sustained serious injuries, you could face many challenges on your road to recovery. One of them shouldn’t be finding the money to pay your bills and take care of the people who depend on you.
Insurance companies should help, but they may deny your claim, pressure you to accept a low settlement, or trick you into saying something they can use against you. Our Washington DC bicycle accident attorneys will help you get justice.
At Kitchel Law, our team understands that legal assistance goes beyond just knowing the law. We aim to provide you with peace of mind and comfort during challenging times.
Contact us today to arrange a free consultation and learn how we can assist you.