When you have suffered bicycle injuries caused by a negligent driver, you need an experienced Richmond bicycle accident lawyer who can fight for you and ensure you receive compensation and compassionate support. These accidents can cause devastating losses that can affect the rest of your life, and legal representation helps ensure your claim is taken seriously.
MartinWren, P.C., has been in business for more than 15 years and has a long track record of success. You can be confident that a Richmond personal injury lawyer can advocate for you and work tirelessly to help you get your life back on track. When you need a lawyer, we come to you and work diligently on your behalf so you can focus on healing from your injuries while we handle your case.
Why Hire a Richmond Bicycle Accident Attorney
Bicycle accidents cause serious injuries and losses, often leaving you with medical bills, an inability to work, and ongoing pain. These cases can be challenging to resolve because insurance companies often fight to avoid paying you a fair settlement. This is one of the many reasons why you should retain a personal injury lawyer to represent you after a bicycle accident. It is critical to your case and future.
At MartinWren, P.C., we often help our clients secure fair settlements without going to court. However, we’re prepared to fight for you at trial if that’s what your case requires. We also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf so you don’t have to deal with them or risk hurting your case. Our involvement puts them on notice that we expect better of them.
Additionally, our team investigates and establishes the driver’s liability in your case, all while protecting your rights and ensuring you don’t get blamed for what happened. We develop an inventory of your losses so we can negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. MartinWren, P.C., is dedicated to helping you get the justice you deserve and answers to your questions.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
What Makes Bicycle Accidents Challenging Personal Injury Cases
Unfortunately, bicycle accident victims often have to deal with many obstacles when pursuing compensation for their injuries. Some common challenges victims face include being blamed for the accident and assuming that they’ll automatically receive compensation from the driver’s insurance company. It can also be difficult to demonstrate the driver’s negligence in these types of cases.
Additionally, bike accidents often result in serious injuries and losses that require ongoing medical care and support. In fact, the most recent data shows that bicycle-involved crashes are on the rise in Virginia, with 156 injuries and 9 deaths. Oftentimes, victims face permanent injury, such as brain injuries, that make it difficult to go back to work and maintain the same quality of life.
To achieve the best outcome, your case requires individualized attention. A bicycle accident lawyer in Richmond can investigate your case and speak to various professionals who can substantiate your claims, including medical professionals, accident experts, reconstructionists, and witnesses. We build a strong case that is difficult for the insurance company to refute, and we optimize your claim.
What Your Bicycle Accident Case May Be Worth
The value of your bike accident case is dependent on the injuries you have sustained and your overall prognosis. To estimate the value of your case, we create an inventory of your losses and determine how much each is worth to determine the overall sum. This allows us to negotiate for the maximum amount of damages in your case. We can help you recover damages for losses such as:
- Medical bills from emergency care
- Medical treatments for ongoing conditions
- In-home support, medical assistive devices, and home or vehicle accommodations
- Medical expenses for rehabilitation services
- Medications
- Damage to your bike and personal property
- Loss of time at work and wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological turmoil
In bicycle accident cases, your future often depends on how well you can demonstrate your losses. With our extensive experience, you can expect a Richmond bicycle accident attorney to anticipate what you have lost. We also provide support and tailored solutions to ensure you recover all your losses. We take the time to listen to and understand your circumstances so we can fight and negotiate effectively for you.
Richmond Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (434) 817-3100
Common Causes and Dangers of Bicycle Accidents
According to the most recent report on bicycle safety by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,166 bicyclists were killed in the U.S. These accidents can also cause extensive injuries that can leave victims struggling long after their accident. Bicycle accidents are often the result of preventable causes involving negligent actions. Some common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Decreased visibility of bicyclists and bike lanes
- Distracted driving
- Speeding through residential zones
- Reckless driving
- Impaired driving
- Dooring, which involves parked car doors opening suddenly
- Failing to wear bicycle helmets
- Improperly sized bicycle
- Poor road conditions, like cobblestone surfaces, uneven pavement, and poor lighting
- Poor weather conditions
These factors can cause serious injury because cyclists lack any external protection. Cyclists often absorb both the full impact of vehicles and the pavement. Swift medical attention and testing are necessary after a bicycle accident.
Injuries Bicyclists May Sustain in an Accident
Bicyclists are vulnerable road users, and when accidents occur, injuries are more likely to be severe. These individuals often experience two points of impact: the first when they are struck by a vehicle, and the second when they contact the pavement. As such, the body absorbs a significant amount of force, causing serious injuries, which may include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash
- Wrongful death
Among the many dangers of these crashes are the unseen injuries that can occur after bicycle accidents. Not all injuries may be evident right away, as some can take time to develop. Internal injuries are particularly difficult to identify without proper medical tests and attention. That is why receiving immediate medical care is essential after an accident to ensure your safety and minimize the damage you sustained.
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Understanding the Role Liability Plays in Your Bicycle Accident Case
When filing personal injury claims for bicycle accidents, the burden is on you to demonstrate the driver’s negligence. Personal injury law requires that you provide evidence and show that the driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty through careless actions, and caused the accident and your injuries as a result. Only once it’s recognized as a fact in the case can you recover compensation.
To fully satisfy this requirement, you will need considerable evidence to back up your claim. Your medical records, the police report, photos taken of your injuries, and witness statements can all be used as evidence in your case. We can also request access to any applicable surveillance footage and secure experts and reconstructionists as needed.
Additionally, it’s important to be aware that Virginia is one of a few states that hold to the strict practice of contributory negligence. This means that the defendant will claim that if you share even 1% of fault for the accident, the defense may argue that you can’t recover any compensation for your losses. It’s critical to have a law firm review your case and represent you to fight against this unfair law.
Avoid Financial Losses by Letting Us Handle the Insurance Company
Insurance companies are aggressive in bicycle accidents because they know there’s a lot to lose. As such, their objective is to reduce the amount of compensation they pay you. To do that, they use tactics such as intentional delays, lowball offers, blaming you, and even denying your claim based on a technicality. It’s wise not to trust the insurance company and to hire our legal team right away.
Our team can provide you with hands-on support throughout this process. We keep the insurance company updated so you don’t risk your claim. Our attorneys know the tactics insurance companies use to reduce the amount of compensation they pay, and we also know how to hold them accountable. We also make sure that they don’t accuse you of contributory negligence as a way to avoid paying you.
Our legal team doesn’t take the easy way out and settle your case just because it’s faster. We’re willing to go to trial if the insurance company is treating you unfairly. When you work with us, you can focus on your recovery while we handle your case. Our team is passionate about protecting our clients and providing exceptional legal insight every step of the way.
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Contact MartinWren, P.C. for a Free Consultation with Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Richmond
MartinWren, P.C., aggressively fights for our clients when they file personal injury claims. We stand up to all parties who treat you unfairly, so you can have peace of mind that you can receive the most favorable results possible.
To better understand your options and rights, contact a bicycle accident attorney in Richmond from our team. Schedule a free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents
How Long Do I Have to Take Action And File A Bicycle Accident Claim?
According to Virginia Code § 8.01-243, you have two years to file your bicycle accident claim. The clock starts counting down from the time of the accident. Talk to our team as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss this time frame and lose the opportunity to recover your losses.
If I Wasn’t Wearing A Helmet, Can I Still Recover Damages?
Richmond doesn’t have a helmet law for adults, so failing to wear a helmet may not point to negligence. However, the insurance company may use it as a reason to minimize the value of your settlement.
What If My Bicycle Accident Is A Hit-And-Run?
If the driver who hit you left the scene, you may have a couple of options. Be sure to file a police report and provide as many details as possible to help the police find the driver. If found, you may be able to file your claim against them. If not, uninsured motorist coverage may cover your losses.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form