College Park Bike Accident Lawyer

When a person is involved in an accident as a bicyclist, he or she should be able to discuss exactly how the accident occurred, information about the events leading up to the accident and everything that happened after the collision. If a person is not able to do that due to the nature of their injuries, this information should be conveyed to the attorney so it can be considered during the initial consultation. It is important for a bicyclist to understand that when they meet with an attorney for the initial consultation, they will discuss in great detail not only the manner in which the accident occurred, but also the nature and extent of his or her injuries in the current diagnosis of their medical condition. If you or someone you know have been involved in a bike accident, it is important to contact a College Park bike accident injury lawyer to discuss your circumstances.

Building the Case

When a bicyclist contacts an attorney, the attorney should inform all of the relevant parties that the bicyclist is their client and that no further communication should occur directly with the bicyclist. Next, a proper investigation of the claims is done either through collecting a police report or, if need be, retaining an investigator to obtain information of any witnesses or potentially retaining the services of an accident reconstructionist if necessary. Other factors that are considered are making solid contact with the bicyclist, ensuring that the parties have a good working relationship with each other, and monitoring the injured pedestrian or the injured bicyclist’s medical treatment and the course of their recovery. There are any other number of factors that go into obtaining critical information immediately after the collision occurs to ensure that there is no question as to how the accident occurred as the case moves forward.

Preparing for Litigation

When an injured person retains an attorney to represent them for their injuries, an attorney should immediately evaluate the case and process their client’s claim as though that claim is going to be presented to a jury. Ultimately, if a person is going to initiate a personal injury claim, that person should be prepared to present their claim to a jury. No one should assume that their case will settle before being presented to a jury. Finding a bike accident attorney with experience in front of a jury in Prince George’s County where College Park accident claims are presented is very important.

Beyond Litigation

When a bicyclist is involved in a motor vehicle accident, any number of factors come into play. There can be issues in terms of available insurance for the bicyclist’s injuries. Likewise, there could be some questions as to who is at fault for the accident. When an injured bicyclist retains an attorney, the attorney should use any resources available to investigate the claim and move the claim forward as quickly and as strongly as possible in favor of obtaining a favorable recovery on behalf of the injured bicyclist. What needs to be done varies from case-to-case, but a good attorney should be committed to using all resources necessary to obtain the best recovery possible.

Bike Accidents v. Car Accidents

A bicyclist should understand that they are deemed to be operating a motor vehicle, meaning they are bound by the rules of the road. Therefore, after an accident involving a bicyclist, a close evaluation of the actions of the bicyclist is conducted to ensure that the bicyclist’s actions were not contributorily negligent. Additionally, bicyclists are often injured more severely than the occupant of a motor vehicle accident. Much like a pedestrian, a bicyclist does not enjoy the safety precautions that an occupant of a motor vehicle enjoys such as a seatbelt or an airbag to protect them from their injuries. Therefore, bicyclists are often more severely injured when they are struck by a motor vehicle.

People should understand that bicyclist claims are evaluated very stringently by insurance companies. Insurance companies will evaluate the actions of the bicyclist in order to determine whether he or she was contributorily negligent for the accident. Likewise, insurance companies will take a close look at any alleged injuries or damages by a bicyclist. People involved in this type of claim should understand that no special preference is given to bicycle injury claims nor are they categorized in any way differently by insurance companies.

Consulting a College Park Bike Accident Attorney

It is critically important for anyone involved in a bicycle accident to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A College Park bike accident lawyer can advise the injured bicyclist on any issues that may be present in their individual personal injury case and the personal injury attorney can answer any questions the injured person may have. It makes the most sense for an injured bicyclist to speak with and retain an attorney before they have completed their medical treatment. The attorney can therefore monitor the injured bicyclist’s medical treatment and provide them with the answers to any questions that they have about their treatment, billing, or handling of their claim.