Whether you ride your bicycle for fitness, fun, or transportation, you know the dangers all too well. Motorists, pedestrians, unexpected obstacles, and poor road conditions can ruin your day in a hurry. All it takes is one accident to bring extreme hardships into your life.
As a cyclist, you are extremely vulnerable. A crash can result in tremendous injuries and medical bills, and you may not be able to work. If you have been injured in a bike accident that wasn’t your fault, you deserve compensation. Our Tacoma bicycle accident lawyers can help.
At NextLaw, our team has over 50 years of combined experience advocating for personal injury victims like you. When you are injured in a bicycle accident, Call Dan Next. Call us today to schedule a free consultation, and tell our Tacoma personal injury lawyers your story.
Should You Take a Settlement?
In most cases, it is not wise to accept a settlement offer from the at-fault party’s insurance company without first speaking to an attorney about your personal injury claim. Insurance companies may seem helpful when they contact you quickly and offer money, but they often have ulterior motives.
Some insurance providers may present low settlement offers. They hope you don’t understand what your case is actually worth. When you accept their offer, you waive your rights to future compensation. It’s a good deal for them and a bad one for you.
Our Tacoma bicycle accident attorneys aren’t going to let insurance companies take advantage of you. We will assess your damages and arrive at a fair settlement number that meets your needs and can make a difference in your life.
What Losses Can Be Compensated After a Bike Accident?
Bicycle crashes often cause serious injuries like broken bones, lacerations, road rash, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, and internal organ damage. The effects of these injuries can be long-lasting. Our legal team will seek compensation for both the immediate losses you’ve suffered, as well as the long-term losses that are expected.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Losses
These are the financial costs of the bicycle crash and can include:
- Emergency medical services.
- Hospital stays.
- Surgeries.
- Doctor appointments.
- Physical therapy.
- Home or vehicle modifications.
- Lost wages.
- Diminished earning capacity.
- Property damage, such as the cost of bicycle repairs.
Non-Economic Losses
These don’t always have a direct financial cost, as medical expenses do, but still have significant impacts on your life. They can include:
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Permanent disability.
- Lowered quality of life.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, our Tacoma wrongful death lawyers can seek compensation for this terrible loss. You may be eligible for compensation that covers:
- The loss of the decedent’s financial support.
- Funeral expenses.
- Burial expenses.
- The loss of the decedent’s emotional support.
- Medical expenses for end-of-life care.
Tacoma Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me
Call: (253) 238-2558How Is Fault Proven After an Accident?
To successfully recover compensation, you must be able to prove that someone else’s negligence led to the crash. To do so, your lawyer will carefully investigate and gather evidence to determine all liable parties.
Negligence could include actions like a drunk driver weaving into a bike lane or a distracted driver not following traffic laws.
Helpful evidence to prove fault can include:
- Police reports.
- Witness statements.
- Phone records, which can be useful for proving distracted driving.
- Surveillance footage from traffic cameras or nearby security cameras.
- Blood alcohol concentration results.
- Black box data, if a commercial vehicle was involved.
- Physical evidence, like skid marks.
- Expert testimony from an accident reconstructionist.
It’s important to note that Washington law operates under a pure comparative negligence rule. This means that you are able to pursue compensation, even when you are partially at fault for the accident.
What Is the Deadline for Your Bicycle Accident Case in Tacoma?
Under Washington state’s statute of limitations, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there may be exceptions to this deadline. Failure to file on time may bar you from recovering compensation.
Discuss the expected timeline and any concerns you may have with your attorney.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Important Steps After a Bicycle Accident
If you have been in a bike accident, the hours and days afterward can seem like a blur. This is an important time, and there are some critical steps you can take to improve your chances of getting the compensation you need to start getting your life back on track.
Get Medical Care
If you didn’t go to the emergency room or see a doctor after your accident, it is smart to see one as soon as possible. This is important even if you think you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask pain at the time of an accident, and you may mistake serious injuries for soreness.
The most important reason to seek medical assistance is to ensure you are getting the right care for any injuries. However, a secondary benefit is that showing you are serious about your medical care helps preserve your case.
Contact an Attorney
As soon as possible, contact a personal injury lawyer. An attorney will help you avoid many of the common pitfalls that can occur in personal injury cases. The aftermath of an accident can be confusing, and you need someone in your corner who understands the law.
We can deal with the insurance adjusters on your behalf, make sure you meet important deadlines, and negotiate for the compensation you deserve. Don’t try to take on powerful insurance companies on your own.
Keep Track of Your Economic Damages
Hang onto copies of receipts and invoices that show the expenses you’ve accrued as a result of the accident and your injuries. That means doctor visits, ambulance transportation, emergency room care, surgery, medications, physical therapy, and similar.
You can also hold on to pay stubs or other documentation that shows your lost wages and the cost of property damages. This will help your attorney assess your potential damages and arrive at a fair settlement amount.
Keep Information on Your Case to Yourself
Of course, you should update your friends and family on your situation, but otherwise, it is wise to remain silent, especially on social media. Unfortunately, some insurance companies will look for ways to use your words against you and try to show your injuries are not severe.
They may even try to contact you directly, feigning concern about your situation. What they are really doing is attempting to coerce you into saying something that could weaken your case. Instead of playing their games, when insurance companies call, refer them to us.
What Does a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay upfront. We deduct our fees from your awards or settlement, and if we don’t win, you don’t pay. This makes our services affordable for those who need them most.
It also means we are nearly as motivated to win your care as you are, which is bad news for insurance companies that are used to getting their way. With our attorneys on your side, you can compete with powerful insurance companies on a level playing field.
Call a Tacoma Bicycle Accident Attorney
You take safety seriously. Unfortunately, that may not be enough. One moment and one reckless motorist is all it takes to ruin your life. You’re injured, you can’t work, and you can’t take care of your family. It isn’t fair when another person causes so much hardship in your life.
We don’t think it’s fair, either. Our legal team can help you get the compensation you deserve for your expenses, lost wages, property damages, and possibly pain and suffering.
At NextLaw, our team members have tried over 150 jury trials combined. We have the experience and knowledge to get the results you need. Call us today for a free consultation and to learn how we can help.
Call or text (253) 238-2558 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form