In the last 10 years, the number of bicycle accident deaths has gone up by 44%. Almost all vehicles are bigger than bicycles. So the risk of death for bicyclists in accidents is very high. The lack of safety features on bikes doesn’t help.
In most states, bikes have separate lanes, but even after that, the number of accidents is increasing. The reason for this is negligence. Many drivers ignore the duty of care they owe to other drivers.
The victims of bicycle accidents can file personal injury claims to punish these negligent drivers. However, you cannot do it on your own. You will need the help of experienced lawyers. The challenges that come after filing a bicycle accident claim require the intervention of expert bicycle accident lawyers.
Reasons to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
While it is true that hiring a lawyer is not necessary, it is recommended to hire one to maximize your compensation and protect yourself from insurance companies. Following are some of the significant benefits a lawyer brings to the table:
- Experience
- Resources
- Calculating your losses
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- Representation in court
Experience
A lawyer is someone who works on personal injury cases every day. Bicycle accident cases are part of their lives. This experience is necessary to win personal injury claims.
Lawyers can use this experience to learn how the opponent will strategize in a particular situation and how to counter it effectively.
Resources
In a personal injury case, you, the plaintiff, bear the burden of proof. The victim must submit evidence to prove their case.
Now, without investigating, you cannot determine negligence or collect relevant evidence. You need to hire private investigators who can investigate the case. Lawyers will have connections with private investigators. This can help your case to a great extent.
Lawyers will also have connections with expert witnesses who can help you win. Statements from expert witnesses are trusted since they come from experts in a particular industry.
Calculating Your Losses
Calculating losses is an important part of a personal injury case. You need to know your exact losses. Claiming more or less can hurt your case. If you don’t know your proper losses, there is a chance you might settle for less.
A lawyer can help calculate losses. They will consider both economic and non-economic damages when calculating losses.
Negotiate with the Insurance Company
After calculating the losses, your lawyer will draft a demand letter and send it to the insurance company. The insurance company will almost always reject your request.
Why?
Well, because they don’t want to offer a fair settlement.
The insurance company will try many different strategies to either lower your settlement or reject it. They will follow the 3D strategy, which stands for delay, deny, and defend.
You may fall victim to these cheap strategies, but not lawyers. Experienced lawyers know about these strategies and will have plans to counter them. They will submit relevant evidence and obtain fair compensation for your losses.
Representation in Court
Only 4% of all personal injury cases go to court. A case goes to court when both parties fail to come to an agreement. You need to be prepared if your case does go to court.
A trial process is long, tiring, and complex. But you can expect much higher compensation than what you will receive in an out-of-court settlement.
Lawyer representation is important to winning a lawsuit. From the jury selection process to the closing arguments, the lawyer will guide you through the lawsuit process.
Wrapping Up
A bicycle accident causes many injuries to the victim. Navigating a personal injury claim in such situations is nearly impossible. Hire an experienced bicycle accident lawyer to file a personal injury claim. They can protect you from insurance companies’ scummy tactics and help you acquire the compensation you deserve.