If you want to know about your options for compensation after an accident, call Morelli Law. Our Mt. Vernon bicycle accident lawyers can explain what you can do to hold irresponsible drivers accountable for your injuries. Our Mt. Vernon personal injury attorneys have recovered over $1 billion in compensation for clients.
Who Is at Fault for a Bicycle Accident?
You must prove that the driver was at fault to get compensation for a bicycle accident. Naturally, the other side will try to blame you. Evidence is the key to determining who is at fault, which is why you should contact the police immediately, if you can, after an accident.
The police will make a report of what happened and write citations to anyone who broke the law. These pieces of information can prove the other driver is to blame for what happened to you. However, to have the best chance of success, you need a bicycle accident lawyer on your side.
You may be too injured to chase down evidence and deal with insurers. Let our bicycle accident lawyers in Mt. Vernon do it for you. Insurers will try their best to blame you for what happened so they don’t have to pay. We’ll fight those claims and help you get justice.
Have You Been Injured In An Accident? Contact Morelli Law
877-751-9800Your Responsibilities as a Cyclist
Another thing that could affect your compensation is if you also contributed to your accident. Illinois law could lower your compensation if that’s true. The best way to avoid this is to follow your responsibilities as a cyclist.
You probably know these already. Cyclists must follow all the same road rules as passenger vehicles. The State of Illinois Vehicle Code says bicyclists “shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the rules and laws applicable to the driver of a vehicle.”
There is no law in Illinois that requires cyclists to wear a helmet, but an insurer may try to argue that it was irresponsible not to wear one before your accident. If a court agrees that you were partially at fault for your injuries, your percentage of fault reduces your compensation by that much. If it’s 50% or above, you cannot claim compensation.
How a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Mt. Vernon Can Help You
A negligent driver must pay you for your injuries, bicycle repair, lost wages, and more, but how do you make sure you get the full value of your claim? You get it by working with a bicycle accident lawyer like the team at Morelli Law.
Our attorneys will handle all the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on recovery from your injuries. With one call and a free consultation, our team will:
- Investigate what happened to prove you weren’t at fault
- Calculate the full value of your damages, including non-economic damages like pain and suffering
- Compile the evidence into a strong case to make the insurers pay you what you’re owed
- Handle all communication with the insurers, the other party, and the courts
- Advise you on how to protect yourself and your compensation
- Negotiate hard to get you a fair settlement
- Take your case to trial if the insurer will not listen
To do these things well while you’re injured is almost impossible, and negotiating with the insurers on your own is a bad idea. They will often try to offer you as little as they can get away with, so don’t take their quick lowball offer. Call Morelli Law instead and discover how much your case is really worth.
Contact our Mt. Vernon Personal Injury Lawyers today
877-751-9800Will My Car Insurance Cover Bicycle Accident Damages?
What happens if the other driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance? You may be able to claim insurance policies you own, but it will depend on the situation and the damages.
If the driver is at fault and insured, then their liability coverage will pay for your injuries and your bike repair. If you’re a cyclist and an uninsured driver hits you, your health insurance will cover some of your injuries.
Our team will look over all the insurance policies that could apply to your case if you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver. You can also sue the uninsured driver for damages if they don’t have the insurance to cover your costs.
How Soon Do I Need to Work With a Lawyer?
It’s best to work with a Mt. Vernon bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. There are several reasons:
- The sooner you work with a lawyer, the sooner you can get paid what you’re truly owed.
- You can protect yourself against predatory tactics by the insurers to get you to accept a lowball settlement before you know what your case is worth.
- Your lawyer can preserve evidence, such as traffic camera footage, that could help your case before it disappears.
- You’ll have enough time to build a case and negotiate before you must sue to meet the statute of limitations.
Working with a lawyer takes the legal burden of pursuing cash for your accident off your back. Morelli Law works on contingency, so you don’t have to pay us unless you win compensation with our help. Our fee is a percentage of whatever your settlement or court award is.
Contact Morelli Law
You don’t have to pay the costs of a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault. Reach out to Morelli Law and our team of bicycle accident lawyers in Mt. Vernon.
With our help, you can get the money you truly deserve from your case. To schedule your free consultation, call or email us anytime.
Call or text 877-751-9800 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form