When a bicycle and a car collide, the cyclist tends to take the brunt of the impact. Bicycle accidents often result in serious damages to the bike rider that can be very expensive to treat. It is critical that you recover fair compensation after an accident so that you can begin to get your life back on track.
At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of experienced Long Island bicycle accident lawyers knows what it takes to get the money our clients need after an injury. Learn more about how we can help during a free case evaluation.
What a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Does
A bicycle accident lawyer will help ensure that your legal situation is taken care of while you focus on recovering from your injuries. After you hire an attorney, they will handle every aspect of your legal case until its conclusion. One of the first actions they will take will be to investigate your accident by:
- Visiting the accident scene to take pictures and gather evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Consulting experts
- Reviewing the official accident report
Through their investigation, your attorney will aim to determine who is liable for your injuries and gather evidence to support your injury claim. Once they have completed their inquiry, your lawyer will assess your damages and calculate the value of your claim. They will then discuss your options with you and advise you about the pros and cons of each.
The next step will likely be to file the appropriate paperwork with either the liable party’s insurer or with the court. If pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney will go through all the steps of the pretrial process as they prepare to represent you at trial. At the same time, your attorney will be in negotiations with opposing counsel, attempting to reach a settlement deal.
Bicycle Accident Lawyers Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Unlike most other types of attorneys, personal injury lawyers do not charge their clients based on the amount of time they spend working on their cases. Instead, these lawyers get paid based on results. Their fee is contingent upon securing compensation for their clients. Additionally, the amount they get paid is directly related to how much the accident victim receives.
Your lawyer’s fee will be assessed as a set percentage of the money you receive from the liable party. That means that the more money you get, the more your lawyer gets paid. On the other hand, if you don’t recover compensation, your lawyer doesn’t collect any money for their services.
This fee system works to ensure that your attorney’s interests are aligned with your own and that they will do everything in their power to ensure you get as much money for your injury claim as possible. Another perk of this system is that anyone can afford legal representation for a personal injury because they will never have to pay a penny out-of-pocket.
Long Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Damages You May Be Eligible to Claim After a Bike Accident
After a bicycle accident where you suffered serious injuries, there are various damages you will likely be eligible to recover. Which damages you qualify for will depend on the specifics surrounding your accident and injuries. There are three primary categories into which all specific damages can be sorted. These groupings are:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic Damages
Economic damages are simple. There are the losses that you suffered that have a direct impact on your financial wellbeing. Any dollar you have spent or will spend because of your accident is covered under economic damages. The money recovered for these losses is meant to equal the amount you pay. Common economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lowered earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are far more complex. These are the losses suffered that can not be measured in dollars. Non-economic damages are the things that profoundly affect the rest of your life. Because these damages are so significant, they tend to result in substantial compensation. In most cases, non-economic damages make up the bulk of your payout.
Common non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disability
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages work quite differently from economic and non-economic damages. Unlike these damages, which are focused on repaying the losses suffered by the accident victim, punitive damages are meant to punish the liable party.
Punitive damages are only awarded in extreme cases. If the actions of the at-fault party were criminally negligent or performed with the willful intent of causing harm, your case may be eligible for punitive damages.
Don’t Delay in Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
You have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident. In New York, personal injury victims typically have three years to file a lawsuit from the date of their accident. However, it is essential to note that special circumstances may apply to your case which can further limit the amount of time you have to file.
The best way to protect yourself and ensure that you meet all deadlines is to hire an experienced Long Island bike accident attorney as soon as possible after you get injured. Hiring an attorney quickly will also put them in the best position to gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.
Get a Free Consultation From a Bike Accident Lawyer in Long Island Today
Hiring an experienced attorney is the best way to ensure that you recover fair compensation after an accident. At the Morelli Law Firm, our team of Long Island bike accident lawyers has a history of getting favorable results for our clients.
Get started with a free consultation today by calling us or filling out our online contact form.