If you were injured while riding a bike due to another person’s negligence, you should immediately contact a Gary bicycle accident lawyer. You have options for holding the liable party responsible for their carelessness and recovering damages to compensate for your financial expenses and other losses.
At Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers, our personal injury team can help you pursue the restitution you need. We’ll collect the information and evidence to prove fault. Your lawyer will then fight against insurers and responsible parties for your legal rights and best interests.
Why Do Bicycle Accidents Occur?
Traffic accidents involving cyclists are common because bicycles are smaller and more difficult for motorists to see than cars or trucks. Moreover, many bike accidents are the fault of drivers of motor vehicles and are commonly related to the following:
- Distracted driving, such as texting
- Careless or reckless driving
- Driving while impaired
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Turning right or left without noticing a cyclist
- Passing too closely to the cyclist (clipping accidents)
- Merging without checking blind spots
- Dooring accidents
Despite taking safety precautions, cyclists who cross paths with inattentive or careless drivers may be hit and suffer severe injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Gary, call 800-333-9999
Bicycles and Risk of Injury
Cars and trucks are much bigger and heavier than bicycles and come with built-in safety measures, such as seat belts and airbags. Conversely, bikes offer the rider little in the way of protection. For this reason, if you experience a bike accident, you will likely sustain injuries. Some of these may be severe or even life-threatening, including the following:
- Concussion or traumatic brain injury
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Cuts and lacerations
- Road rash
- Blunt force trauma
Severe injuries can result in irreversible damage. For example, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that a neck or spinal cord injury could cause paralysis.
If you do not recover fully from your bike accident injuries, you may require medical care for the rest of your life. Even if you recover, you will likely have incurred extensive medical bills. If you can’t afford to pay for present and future treatment, it could affect your levels of pain and suffering and your day-to-day activities of living.
Our team can pursue financial compensation from the at-fault party to cover health costs, lost income, and other losses.
Gary Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-333-9999
How Much Compensation You Could Receive?
The compensation you may be entitled to receive depends on various factors, such as your total damages. These are losses you have experienced after your accident, and can consist of the following:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are precise, easily calculable costs that can be tied to bills and receipts, such as:
- Property damage, including your bicycle and other items damaged in the accident
- Medical expenses related to your injuries, including ambulance services, emergency care, hospitalization, tests and imaging, surgeries, rehab, prescription medication, home medical equipment, etc.
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages may be more challenging to estimate as they are not based on exact out-of-pocket costs you’ve incurred. Instead, they include losses related to your quality of life, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of life enjoyment
Several factors are considered by insurers and legal entities when determining the value of non-economic damages. These include, but are not limited to the following:
- Type and severity of the injury
- Duration of medically necessary treatment
- Impact of the injuries on everyday life and relationships
- Full recovery vs. permanent disability related to injuries
- Medical evidence and liability insurance available
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You Lawyer Can Pursue Damages From the Other Party’s Insurer
Even though you were cycling at the time of the accident, you can still seek compensation from the responsible driver’s insurer. IN Code § 8-2.1-19.1-8 states that all drivers must have auto insurance with liability terms. This covers expenses associated with bodily injury.
Your bicycle accident lawyer can file an insurance claim on your behalf, submit the evidence that proves the other Gary driver was at fault, and negotiate a settlement that covers your total damages.
If an agreement with the insurer cannot be reached, our in-house litigation team can help you file a personal injury lawsuit and represent you in a lawsuit.
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Is There a Deadline To File a Lawsuit?
The Indiana statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years from the accident’s date under IC § 34-11-2-4. This is the deadline you must adhere to if you want to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for losses from a liable party.
Attempting to file a lawsuit after the legal deadline has passed will likely result in your lawsuit being dismissed, unless you qualify for certain exceptions that might apply. Regardless, you should consult with your attorney, who can start working on your case immediately after your accident. This ensures you have sufficient time to take your case to court, if necessary.
What Routes Could You Take for Pursuing an Insurance Claim?
Your attorney can help you file insurance claims and work with the insurer to get you the compensation you need to recover from your accident- and injury-related losses.
File an Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Claim
If you were injured in a bike accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you could file a claim through your own auto insurance carrier. This coverage reimburses accident victims when the other person doesn’t have insurance or liability coverage.
If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage through your car insurance, you could use it to recover your bike accident expenses. State laws require minimum limits for an uninsured motorist policy, and depending on the damages you incurred. So, you might be entitled to receive compensation.
File a Personal Injury Protection Claim
Another option would be going through your personal injury protection insurance if it’s included in your auto insurance policy. Notably, neither uninsured motorist nor personal injury protection coverage is required by law, but insurance companies generally offer it to their policyholders.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney’s Team Serving Gary for a Consultation
At Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers, you will not be charged fees or costs unless we win or settle your case. We have recovered $1 billion in settlements for our clients, and our attorneys have more than 400 years of combined legal experience.
Therefore, if you have sustained serious injuries in a bike accident, we urge you to contact us today for a free consultation. This way, we can start working on your case and seek the compensation you deserve. Turn to us after a bicycle accident.
Call or text 800-333-9999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
