Biking is a great way to get exercise, enjoy the great outdoors, and navigate around New Haven. But some drivers don’t want to share the road with bicyclists, and some roadways aren’t well-kept enough for bicyclists to safely traverse. These situations can lead to serious bike accidents that cause a lot of damage and severe injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in the New Haven, Indiana, area, a bicycle accident lawyer serving New Haven from Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers can help you hold negligent parties responsible and pursue compensation for damages.
Why Hire a Lawyer for Your Bicycle Accident Case?
You can file insurance claims and negotiate your own settlement, but you risk accepting a lower amount of compensation than what your case is really worth. That’s because insurance companies frequently offer accident victims settlements that don’t cover all their damages, especially future medical costs and loss of enjoyment of life.
In addition, the process can be complex, stressful, and time-consuming. You and your family should spend your time and energy on recovery. Let a bicycle accident lawyer serving New Haven, Indiana, from Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers handle every step for you. We can help you by:
- Gathering evidence of your accident and injuries
- Calculating your damages
- Filing insurance claims
- Handling all communications with insurance companies
- Negotiating on your behalf
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving New Haven, call 800-333-9999
New Haven Bicycle Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries
Unlike cars and trucks, bicycles don’t have a metal frame or airbags that protect them from damage. When a bicyclist is in an accident, there’s a high probability that the rider’s body will impact the ground or other hard surfaces. Wearing a helmet can do a lot to protect your head, but it can’t fully prevent damage to the brain or spinal cord. Even minor accidents can cause severe injuries.
Typically, the more severe your injuries, the more it costs to pay for treatment. But you don’t have to pay for treatment on your own when someone else’s negligence caused your accident. Some of the most common injuries you can recover compensation for include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Road rash
- Sprains
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal organ damage
New Haven Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-333-9999
Causes of Bicycle Accidents
One cause of bicycle accidents is negligent and reckless driving. Motorists can clip bicyclists as they pass, cause them to run off the road, or even collide with them.
Some situations that cause drivers to hit bicyclists include:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Not checking blind spots
- Failing to obey traffic laws
- Driving in the bike lane
- Not providing the required 3 feet of passing distance
Other Causes
Bicycle accidents can also occur due to:
- Lack of maintenance of roads or trails
- Parts malfunctions
- Debris on the road
- Bad weather conditions
- Poor vehicle or bike maintenance/repair
Click to contact our New Haven Personal Injury Lawyers today
Who Is Responsible for My New Haven Bicycle Accident?
With so many causes of bike accidents, there are many parties that may be found negligent and responsible for your bicycle accident. In fact, multiple parties may be held accountable if there are different forms of negligence that contributed to your accident. Some parties we may deem at fault for your accident include:
- A driver
- Another bicyclist
- A pedestrian
- A municipality in charge of road or trail maintenance
- A third party in charge of road or trail maintenance
- A parts manufacturer
- A bike or vehicle mechanic
The state of Indiana operates under the modified comparative negligence rule. Per IC §34-51-2-5, bicyclists are still able to pursue compensation for an accident in which they were partially at fault. However, you must be found less than 50% at fault.
If you’re found to be partially at fault for your own bicycle accident, you may only receive a portion of your compensation. Your bicycle accident attorney can help you understand whether modified comparative negligence applies to your case and how it can impact your settlement.
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How Much Can I Get in Compensation for My Bike Accident?
It’s hard to determine how much you might receive in compensation for your bike accident before reviewing the specific facts of your case. That’s because every bicycle accident is unique, and there are many factors that can impact how much compensation you may be entitled to. Those factors include:
- Your age at the time of the incident
- The type and severity of your bicycle accident injuries
- The amount of economic damages
- Your mobility, ability to work, and other impacts on your quality of life
- How the accident occurred
- The number of negligent parties and the potential sources of compensation
You can recover compensation for many economic and noneconomic damages, such as:
- Current and future medical costs
- Lost income and benefits during recovery
- Lost earning capacity due to disability
- Funeral costs and lost spousal support if you lost your loved one in a bicycle accident
- Repair and replacement costs for your bike and other equipment
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Paralysis or disability
The Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accidents in New Haven
A bicycle accident is considered a type of personal injury case in Indiana, which means your case abides by the two-year statute of limitations as outlined in IC § 34-11-2-4. This statute states that you have two years from the date of your accident to file a civil lawsuit against the liable party and recover compensation.
However, you can file a claim with an at-fault party’s insurance at any time. But the sooner you’re able to do so, the more time we will have to pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit should negotiations fail.
Get the Hammer on Your Side
At Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers, we know that a bicycle accident can be a devastating and challenging time for victims and their families. That’s why our attorneys are dedicated to pursuing justice and compensation on your behalf. Our team has more than 400 years of combined legal experience, and we’ve successfully recovered $1 billion in settlements for our clients.
We want to provide you with the same legal counsel. Don’t let the cost of a lawyer stop you from seeking help. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so we don’t get paid unless we win for you. Contact our office today for a free, no-obligation case review.
Call or text 800-333-9999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
