Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me

If You Were Injured by a Negligent Driver While Riding a Bike, You Deserve Compensation

Bicycles have a right to travel utilizing the roads and motor vehicles that share those roads are expected to respect this right. Unfortunately, many bicyclists end up hit by vehicles driven by negligent drivers that fail to observe the traffic laws put in place to protect bicyclists. This method of travel comes with many benefits but the danger posed by these collisions is significant.

Bicycle accidents are especially intense since there is nothing to protect most bicyclists in a collision with a motor vehicle weighing several tons aside from a helmet. Bicycle accident injuries often deal severe damage and in many cases kill. Bicycle accident survivors do not have to suffer through the hardship caused by these injuries in silence and can take action to seek compensation for the damages they have suffered.

If you or a loved one were involved in a bicycle accident due to another’s negligence, contact Turnbull, Holcomb & LeMoine today. Experienced bicycle accident lawyer available, we are always ready to help 24/7 at (205) 831-5040 or online for a free case evaluation, or to discuss your rights and options further.

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How Can I Seek Compensation After a Bicycle Accident?

If your bicycle accident was caused by the negligence of another party then you may be able to file a bicycle accident claim with their insurance company. It is important to keep in mind that this is not possible with all bicycle accidents.

First of all, there must be a liable party that owed you a duty of care and was negligent in a way that caused your accident. This often will be a driver that caused the accident because of something like distracted driving or speeding but not always.

There can be multiple parties that contributed fault to an accident and can be considered liable instead of or in addition to a driver that collides with a bicyclist. Furthermore, hiring skilled bicycle accident lawyer will ensure you get the maximum settlement possible the you deserve.

Bicycle Accident Lawsuits and Contributory Negligence

In terms of contributing fault and negligence, not all accidents are clear cut with all fault lying purely with another party. There are many bicycle accidents where a bicyclist contributed a certain degree of negligence.

Laws very state to state. For instance, in the state of Alabama this, unfortunately, keeps someone from seeking compensation for their injuries because of Alabama contributory negligence laws. If you contribute negligence to a bicycle accident even in the face of another party’s even more severe negligence, you are barred from seeking compensation from them.

Proving Negligence and Negotiating Bicycle Accident Settlements

Insurance companies will not just take you at your word when you claim to have been harmed in a bicycle accident.

They will conduct an investigation into your bicycle accident and the injuries you suffered in order to verify your claim and determine its value. The problem is that insurance companies are biased in these investigations since it is within their interest to limit the amount of compensation you receive. This is because their primary motivation is profit even if it means denying you the money you need and deserve.

This is why it falls upon you to prove that the party liable for your bicycle accident damages was negligent as well as the credibility of your injuries so that you can negotiate a fair settlement. This means investigating your bicycle accident, gathering evidence, assembling documents, and communicating with the insurance company.

Attempting to handle all of this on your own and while coping with severe bicycle injuries is a mistake that can end up costing you a settlement. Hiring an bicycle accident lawyer is essential when seeking compensation for bicycle accident injuries and it is recommended you at least speak to an experienced bicycle accident attorney before making any decisions you may come to regret.

What Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers Can Do for Your Case

Organize and analyze key evidence and records of your case.
Present the evidence to prove liability and damages.
Communicate with the driver’s or other liable party’s insurer.
Obtain the necessary evidence with respect to fault for the accident.
Gather your medical records and bills.
Communicate with your healthcare providers to obtain missing records.
Work with your doctors to make sure they provide the medical information you need so that you can prove damages in your claim.
Negotiate to potentially reduce the amount of the bills you owe.
Network with investigators and experts to help strengthen your case.
Negotiate a settlement with the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve.
File a bicycle accident lawsuit if a settlement cannot be reached.
Successfully represent you in a trial.

What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident?

Assess your safety and those around you.
Call 911 to report the accident and ask for medical assistance.
If possible, try not to move at all, stay put, and wait for emergency responders.
Exchange information with the driver or drivers.
Gather information from anyone who witnessed the accident, including their name and number. If possible, ask them to stay and speak to the police.
Take photos and videos of all the vehicles involved, the surrounding area, your injuries, and any other important info like skid marks.
Get medical treatment right away. Do not delay. Even if you think you are fine, let a professional determine that. Adrenaline and shock can cover up serious injuries at first.
Notify your insurance company as soon as possible, but stick to the facts.
Carefully maintain your own records and notes, including bills, reports, etc. Also, keep a journal of all calls, doctor visits, and anything else important and write down what happened or was said.
Finally, contact a bicycle accident attorney right away. The sooner you have legal representation, the better.

Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Riding a bicycle is a great method of travel but the risk of collisions with motor vehicles can run very high under certain circumstances. Most bicycle accidents tend to occur in dense urban areas where most amenities are within reach of a short bike ride. Bicycle accidents also tend to occur late at night where visibility is lowest and the chances of drowsy or drunk driving increase.

Most bicycle accidents tend to occur because of bicycles’ lack of visibility which leads to drivers easily failing to notice them and causing a crash. Furthermore, bicycle accidents also commonly involve a failure on motorist’s part to observe traffic laws put in place to keep cyclists safe. This usually occurs out of ignorance of the fact that bicycles are considered vehicles that have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles. Other common causes of bicycle accidents include:

Speeding
Drunk driving
Drowsy driving
Failure to yield or observe the right of way
Road rage

Failure to leave space for cyclists
Dooring
Running red lights
Failure to pay attention during turns

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries
Back and neck injuries
Extremity injuries

Internal injuries
Broken/fractured bones
Psychological trauma

Why Should I Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

Hiring an attorney can seem like a difficult task and there are typically a lot of questions as to why it is even necessary in the first place. If an accident is clearly someone’s fault and you suffered severe injuries then filing a claim and getting the money you need to cover your damages should be simple. This makes sense on paper but the reality is much more complex.

There are many cases where a driver is clearly at fault for hitting a bicyclist and causing them severe and permanent injuries yet that bicyclist ends up getting nowhere near enough from a claim to cover their damages and sometimes is denied by the insurance company altogether. This is because there are a number of things that the insurance company can exploit to their advantage to reduce the amount of money they payout. Unless you know what you are doing, it is very easy for what may seem to be a simple case to go bad very quickly.

Turnbull, Holcomb & LeMoine can make sure that you are kept aware of your rights and that your entitlement to fair compensation for bicycle accident injuries is respected by the insurance company. Our bicycle accident lawyers can provide you with the legal insight and resources necessary to aggressively seek compensation for your injuries.

Bicycle Accident Damages

The losses that someone sustains because of injuries they suffered in a bicycle accident are known as damages. In order to successfully get the compensation you need for bicycle accident injuries, you need to be aware of what damages you have suffered.

Damages are usually split into two categories. There are economic damages that consist of direct financial losses tied to an accident and non-economic damages that are less tangible losses that usually are psychological and emotional in nature. Some common damages claimed in bicycle accident cases include:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Loss of earning potential

Mental anguish
Scarring/disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment

Bicycle accidents cause extremely severe injuries since a car can inflict catastrophic damage to a mostly unprotected cyclist’s body. Severe and permanent injuries are very common and damages like medical bills require even more compensation since recurring expenses like therapy and prescriptions to treat these injuries must be taken into account. Earning capacity is more severely affected since disabilities caused by injuries can end someone’s ability to work at all. The psychological trauma inflicted can be more severe as well.

Bicycle Accident Lawsuits and Going to Trial

Another consequence of the especially severe damages inflicted by bicycle accidents is the increased willingness to fight a bicycle accident claim on the part of the insurance company. The higher damages lead to more intense defense taken to reduce the demand for much higher payouts. It is not unusual for settlement negotiations to fail which will necessitate the need to file a lawsuit and go to trial.

Turnbull, Holcomb & LeMoine is aware of this and approaches each case willing and able to take a case to trial if need be. Many firms will avoid this and take a substandard settlement rather than fight for the full value of compensation their client is owed. This is usually because they cannot handle taking a case to court or because they would rather take the easy way out and avoid a long and demanding lawsuit. Our bicycle accident lawyers have a strong reputation as effective trial lawyers and are willing to fight for you all the way.

Speak to Turnbull, Holcomb & LeMoine About Your Bicycle Accident Case

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, or your loved one was killed, the best way to fight for your rights and to get the most compensation possible is to hire an experienced and aggressive personal injury attorney.

At Turnbull, Holcomb & LeMoine, we have the experience, knowledge, and resources to handle all types of bicycle accident injury cases, including those involving liability disputes, multiple at-fault parties, and other complications. Let us handle your claim so you can focus on what is really important: your health and your family.

Contact us online or call (205) 831-5040 to schedule your free consultation. There is no obligation and no risk. We look forward to hearing from you.

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2101 6th Avenue North Suite 1100 Birmingham, AL 35203

Phone: (205) 831-5040

Toll Free Phone: (888) 488-9616

Fax: (205) 848-6300

945 East Paces Ferry Road Suite 2275 Atlanta, GA 30326

Phone: (404) 793-2566

Toll Free Phone: (888) 488-9616

Fax: (205) 848-6300

1811 Bering Drive Suite 300 Houston, TX 77057

Phone: (281) 888-0911

Toll Free Phone: (888) 488-9616

Fax: (205) 848-6300

Our Offices:

2101 6th Avenue North Suite 1100 Birmingham, AL 35203

Phone: (205) 831-5040

Toll Free Phone: (888) 488-9616

Fax: (205) 848-6300

945 East Paces Ferry Road Suite 2275 Atlanta, GA 30326

Phone: (404) 793-2566

Toll Free Phone: (888) 488-9616

Fax: (205) 848-6300

1811 Bering Drive Suite 300 Houston, TX 77057

Phone: (281) 888-0911

Toll Free Phone: (888) 488-9616

Fax: (205) 848-6300

No representation is made that the quality of the legal service to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. - Alabama Rule of Professional Conduct - Rule 7.2 (e)

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