Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries for cyclists. Aside from a helmet, most riders have no protection in an accident. The resulting injuries can lead to medical bills that far exceed the money in your bank account.
If you get hurt in a bicycle accident, the best thing you can do is to hire an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Long Beach, NY. At the Morelli Law Firm, we have helped countless bike wreck victims put their lives back together after an accident. Let us help you.
Steps Your Bicycle Accident Attorney Will Take
When you hire a bicycle accident lawyer, they will get to work building your case immediately. One of the first actions they are likely to take will be to open an independent investigation into your bike accident. The purpose of this investigation will be to establish liability and gather evidence to support your injury claim. The inquiry will likely include:
- Visiting the scene of the accident to take pictures and collect evidence
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Consulting with experts
- Reviewing the official accident report
- Looking over your medical records
The next step will be to assess the full extent of the damages you have suffered and calculate the value of your accident claim. Once that is complete, your attorney will present you with all your options and advise you on how best to proceed.
If you choose to pursue an insurance claim, your lawyer will file a claim with the liable party’s insurer. If you go with the personal injury lawsuit path, your attorney will file a lawsuit with the court. With the latter option, your lawyer will then begin the steps of the pre-trial process and prepare to represent you in court.
No matter what you choose to do, your lawyer will be in constant communication with opposing counsel, attempting to negotiate a fair settlement deal at every stage of the process. If a deal can be reached, you will receive compensation much quicker and be able to begin putting the whole mess behind you.
File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Before the Statute of Limitations Expires
If you are planning on filing a personal injury lawsuit after a bicycle accident, it is essential to get started early. Delays can result in missing out on your opportunity to recover compensation for your injuries.
CPLR § 214 outlines New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims. While New York generally gives injury victims three years from the date of their accident to file a claim, special conditions may further limit the time you have to file.
The best way to make sure all deadlines are met and protect your right to compensation is to hire an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Long Beach soon after you suffer an injury. Hiring an attorney early will also put them in the best position to gather evidence and build a strong compensation case.
Long Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Bike Accident Attorneys Win When You Win
Personal injury lawyers charge their clients differently from most other types of attorneys. While other attorneys get paid based on the amount of time they spend working on a client’s case, personal injury lawyers are paid based on results. Their fees are collected as a set percentage of the compensation you recover.
If you do not get money from the liable party, you do not owe your attorney a single cent. With this fee structure, your lawyer’s financial situation is tied up with your own. Since their pay increases the more money you recover, you can be sure that they will work hard to get you as big of a payout as possible.
This payment system comes with the added benefit of making hiring experienced legal representation a possibility for all accident victims regardless of their financial means. You will never have to worry about paying your attorney directly since their fee will be taken from the money you win from the liable party.
Damages You Can Claim After a Bicycle Accident
Following a bike accident that resulted in serious injuries, you will likely be eligible to recover a wide variety of damages. The specific damages that apply to your case will depend on the circumstances of your accident and the injuries you suffered. All accident damages can be sorted into three distinct categories:
- Economic
- Non-economic
- Punitive
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the losses you suffer after a bicycle accident that affect your financial situation. Any damage that comes with a price tag or takes away money you otherwise would have accumulated counts as a form of economic damage. Common economic damages include:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover all the other losses you suffer because of your accident. Non-economic losses tend to be far more profound than economic damages and are not easily compensated with a dollar-for-dollar payout. Because of this, non-economic damages often make up the largest part of a personal injury settlement or court-ordered payment.
Common non-economic damages include:
- Loss of companionship
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lowered quality of life
Punitive Damages
In certain bicycle accident cases, you may be able to recover punitive damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are not compensatory. They are not designed to replace losses sustained by the victim. Instead, they are focused on punishing the at-fault party.
Punitive damages are awarded in a small percentage of cases. A judge will only consider them if the actions of the liable party were criminally negligent or carried out with total disregard for public safety.
Talk to a Bicycle Accident Lawyer About Your Legal Options
After a bicycle accident, it is essential to find a Long Beach bicycle accident attorney with experience and a history of getting favorable results for their clients. At the Morelli Law Firm, our team knows what it takes to fight these courses and will do everything we can to ensure a positive outcome.
Give us a call or fill out our online contact form today to get started with a free case evaluation.