Bicycle accidents are often the fault of the driver, not the bicyclist—which means that an insurance company will be calling you after the crash much sooner than you might think.
North Carolina has great weather for bicycling most of the year. It is a great way to get around, get some exercise, and help the environment, all at the same time. However, riding your bicycle, particularly around traffic, does not come without some risk.
In 2018, Fayetteville saw just 20 bicycle-car crashes; there were 21 injuries. While these numbers may not seem very high, Fayetteville is in the top five cities in North Carolina for bicycle accidents.
One of the main reasons that bicycle-car accidents occur is because the car driver was not paying attention to what is happening around them. They often are not on the lookout for smaller vehicles like motorcycles and bicycles. That inattention leads to accidents, which often results in severe injuries.
Because passenger vehicle drivers often cause accidents, their insurance company may attempt to get in touch with you right away after a crash. They will want to take your statement to do some investigation regarding the accident. They might try to get you to say something that you didn’t mean about the incident—and they might try to get you to settle your claim too early.
It takes time to determine how your bike accident will affect the rest of your life. Settling too early can mean that you make decisions that undermine the value of your case. If you have medical complications down the road, for example, your settlement amount will not take those problems into account as it should have.
Having an experienced Fayetteville, NC bicycle accident lawyer can help you avoid these problems entirely.
When you have an experienced professional on your side after a car-bike collision, you level the playing field with the insurance company. The insurance adjuster may have years of experience handling cases like yours, but chances are that you have never had to go through the legal process before.
An experienced Fayetteville bicycle accident law firm will provide the resources you need to work with (or against) the insurance company. They will provide the help that may include the following services.
Get You in Touch with the Right Medical Professionals
Injuries and damage after a bicycle-car accident can be very severe. For most bicyclists, there is nothing protecting you if a car hits you. That means that even very slow-speed crashes can cause very serious injuries.
While you can (and should) go to your family doctor or the emergency room right after a bike crash, you may need to speak with medical specialists, too. These individuals can provide opinions that include things like:
This medical evidence is not only important for your legal case, but it can also be vital for your long-term planning with work and family, as well.
Speak with the Insurance Company on Your Behalf
Your Fayetteville bicycle accident attorney will talk to the insurance company for you. There is virtually no chance that they can take advantage of you when you have a buffer between you and their claims adjuster.
Having this type of go-between also reduces the stress and time that it takes to communicate with the adjuster, as well. The adjuster will want a lot of information about you and your medical care, and your attorney can take care of providing the necessary information to that person—so you can focus on healing.
Provide a Realistic Valuation of Your Case
Determining the value of your bicycle accident case can be very difficult, often simply because you do not have any experience valuing a case. A Fayetteville NC bicycle accident lawyer has seen cases similar to yours in this area. He or she will be able to tell you what your case might be worth based on similar previous cases, combined with your unique injuries and damages that are the result of your crash.
When you need experience you can count on, Clausen Law has your back. We can help you prepare your case and present it in the best light possible to an insurance company, judge, or jury. Contact our team today to set up an appointment. Call 833-680-0177 or email us: [email protected].
