Bike accidents can be so much more dangerous than car accidents. Riders are more vulnerable and harder to see, meaning any crash can have disastrous consequences. Bicyclists who have been injured on the road shouldn’t have to pay for an accident that wasn’t their fault.
A bicycle accident lawyer in Tuscaloosa can help you pursue compensation for your accident. By investigating your crash and negotiating with the other party, an attorney can get you a fair settlement that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
We offer free consultations, so don’t hesitate to get in contact with a lawyer from Morris Bart, LLC. Our team is standing by to listen to your story and get you the compensation you need to move on with your life.
Can You Make a Claim for a Bicycle Accident?
Sometimes a bike accident can be random and unavoidable. That isn’t always the case, though. Often, a driver or a pedestrian is negligent on the road, causing an accident. They don’t even have to hit you–if someone else caused you to swerve into an obstacle or fall off of your bike, they could be liable.
That’s because injury claims like yours are built on negligence. When someone doesn’t uphold the standard of care that any reasonable person can be held to, they are, in a legal sense, negligent. If that negligence caused an injury or some other demonstrable damage, then that person is liable to pay for that damage.
The damages that you experience are what your settlement will pay for if you have a successful claim. A personal injury lawyer in Alabama will tally up your damages to show how much you’re owed by the negligent party. Damages in a bike accident can include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death
If you plan on filing a personal injury claim for your bike accident, you should have a skilled lawyer by your side. Our bicycle accident attorneys in Tuscaloosa work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means they only get paid if you get compensation. That way, there’s no risk in hiring a lawyer to help with your case.
For a free legal consultation with a Bicycle Accident lawyer serving Tuscaloosa, call (800) 537-8185
What to Do After a Bike Accident
After a bicycle accident, the first and most important step that you need to take is making sure you’re safe. Remove yourself from any dangerous situation (including pulling your bike off of the road) and, if you need immediate medical attention, call an ambulance and go to the hospital.
Once you know you’re alright, there are some steps you can take to strengthen your injury claim. After a bike accident, you should:
Get the Other Party’s Information
After an accident, it’s important to know how to get in touch with the other party and their insurance company. You and your lawyer will need that information to initiate your claim and get paid for your damages.
Talk to Any Witnesses and Get Their Contact Information
Witness testimony can be essential to proving that the other party was at fault in your accident. If there was anyone who saw what happened that you think would back up your side of the story, ask them what they saw and get their contact information.
When you talk to the witness, though, don’t say anything like “I’m so clumsy” or “I shouldn’t have done that.” Any admission of guilt can be used against you, and if a witness says that you admitted any level of negligence, your compensation can be lowered or taken away altogether.
Call the Police and Get a Report
An accident report is necessary for any injury claim. If you intend to sue the other party, you should call the police so they can write up a report. They will usually give you a copy of the report, but if they don’t, you can go to your local police station and get a copy there.
Be Careful What You Say
At the scene of your crash and in the days following the accident, the other party, their lawyer, and their insurance company may try to get in contact with you. If they do, be polite with them, give them your contact information and the information of your lawyer, but don’t tell them anything they don’t absolutely need to know.
Lawyers and insurance companies will try to use your words against you to decrease your compensation. That’s why you shouldn’t talk with them more than you have to. You should never sign anything they give you without consulting with an attorney first.
Get in Contact with a Tuscaloosa Bicycle Accident Attorney
The best way to avoid other parties taking advantage of you is to have an experienced lawyer by your side. A bike accident attorney in Tuscaloosa will be able to negotiate with the other party and their insurance company to make sure you get a good settlement.
How Contributory Negligence Works in Alabama
Some states have comparative negligence laws that allow the defendant in a personal injury case to claim that the plaintiff was partially at fault and deserves less compensation. However, Alabama instead observes contributory negligence.
Contributory negligence means that, if you were at all at fault for your accident, you could lose all of your compensation. That can be true even if you had 10% of the fault and the other party had 90%.
That’s why it’s important to have a bicycle accident lawyer by your side who knows how to prove that you were the victim of your accident and that the other party was the only one at fault. Attorneys from our firm will gather evidence that shows that you deserve compensation for your injuries.
Click to contact our Tuscaloosa Personal Injury Lawyers today
Talk to a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Tuscaloosa Today
Alabama’s statute of limitations means you only have two years to file your personal injury claim. That means you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to get started on your case.
Our Tuscaloosa bicycle accident lawyers want to help you get compensation for your injuries. We offer FREE consultations for victims of bike accidents. Call us or contact us online to talk to our team today.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
