Bicycle accidents often cause victims to incur severe injuries and, unfortunately, are relatively common. This is primarily because cyclists are smaller and more difficult to see than other vehicles on the road. Also, bicycles offer little external protection, and riders can easily be knocked or thrown off their bikes when struck.
Unfortunately, victims are often unsure how to proceed with a claim, which can become a tremendous burden when they should be concentrating on recovering from their injuries.
However, when you hire one of our Greenfield bicycle accident lawyers, you can be assured you will receive personalized attention. Your personal injury lawyer will address your needs and goals as we move your claim forward.
How Can a Greenfield Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help You?
Bicycle accidents may initially appear relatively simple but can actually be challenging to pursue in some cases. Many accident victims do not have the experience needed to investigate their claims correctly.
This is one reason why retaining an attorney who can do the challenging work involved in the claims process can have incredible benefits. Moreover, they can use their legal know-how and resources to do the following:
- Thoroughly investigate your claim and collect evidence that can prove fault, including photos or video surveillance, police reports, eyewitness statements, etc.
- Ensure you are evaluated by a licensed health provider who can treat your injuries and assist with the calculation of all anticipated medically-related losses
- Enter negotiations with the insurer or other liable party to reach a reasonable settlement on your behalf
- If necessary, prepare, file, and take your lawsuit to trial to ensure your rights are protected and you are compensated fairly
We have recovered $1 billion in settlements for clients and have more than 400 years of combined legal experience. At Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers, we are also willing to take your case to trial, if necessary, and pursue the compensation needed for you to recover from your losses.
Get a FREE Case Review by Calling The Hammer Now.
Recoverable Damages You Could Secure After a Bicycle Accident in Greenfield
Recoverable damages available to bike accident victims depend on the type of claim filed and the monetary amounts associated with any losses incurred and include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Property damage
- Past, present, and future lost income
- Past, present, and future medical expenses, such as doctor’s visits, hospitalization, surgeries, therapies, and more
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent disability
Rely on Our Team to Prove Negligence and Liability
Our personal injury attorneys thoroughly understand Indiana’s negligence and liability laws. As we’ve established, if you were injured in an accident in which another party was at fault, you could file a personal injury claim to recover the damages you incurred. However, you will still need to legally prove that the defendant was somehow negligent in your case.
In general, the following are the elements required to legally prove negligence in a personal injury case:
The Defendant Owed You a “Duty Of Care,” and That Duty Was Breached
Duty of care refers to a defendant’s legal responsibility to conduct themselves towards others in a certain way in the context of the underlying accident. In your case, this may be the defendant’s duty to have driven safely and attentively in the care of others on the road. Once a duty of care is established, you must show how the defendant’s actions or inaction breached that duty.
The Defendant’s Breach Caused Your Injury
In addition to a breach occurring, you must also show causation or that the violation was responsible for the accident and your injuries. Put another way, you need to show that if not for the defendant’s actions, your injuries would not have occurred.
You Suffered Losses for Which You Should Be Compensated
The final step of proving negligence is for you to establish what injuries you sustained as a result of the defendant’s breach of duty of care. An injury is any type of loss that can be compensated for with money, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Notably, Indiana uses a legal approach known as modified comparative negligence, in which you must be less than 51% at fault to recover damages in a personal injury claim. Your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your contribution to any negligence related to the accident.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents You Might Have Suffered
According to data compiled by Indiana University Public Policy Institute, in 2019, there were 2,800 accidents involving two-wheeled motorists reported in the state. Of these, there were 112 deaths and over 1,100 incapacitating injuries, and 743 other injuries.
Bike accidents often occur due to the careless actions or inactions of motorists. When we’ve investigated these events, our Greenfield bicycle accident attorneys routinely discover our clients were injured by a driver responsible for one or more of the following:
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Drifting into the cyclist’s lane and clipping them
- Following the cyclist too closely
- Driving while distracted by a cell phone or other device
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving recklessly
- Failing to account for bad weather conditions
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Common Injuries Caused by Bike Accidents That Could Qualify You for Damages
Even when a cyclist is wearing a helmet and other protective gear, it is not uncommon for them to sustain multiple injuries in an accident, such as any of the following:
- Brain or head injuries, concussions
- Broken bones
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Severe lacerations, abrasions, and road rash
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
Regardless of the nature and severity of your injuries, we could help you seek compensation if you are the victim of a bicycle accident caused by the negligence of another person.
Contact a Greenfield Bicycle Accident Firm Representative Today
Our legal team at Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers offers free and confidential case reviews, and we will not charge any costs or fees until we win or settle your case. The legal deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Indiana is two years under IC § 34-11-2-4, so you are urged to hire an attorney who can help you with your claim as soon as possible.
If you are suffering from injuries caused by a bicycle accident, we urge you to contact us today. Our primary goal is to secure the compensation you need so you can focus on making a full recovery. We can help you after a car accident that occurred while you were on your bike.
