BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER IN BELLEVUE HELPING INJURED CYCLISTS RECEIVE COMPENSATION AFTER AN ACCIDENT
In the state of Washington, bicycle accidents involving a passenger car or another motor vehicle are common and potentially catastrophic, as cyclists have little to no protection in the event of a collision. Distracted driving and negligent behavior behind the wheel are some of the most frequent causes of injuries to cyclists in the state. Learn what to do if you were injured in a bicycle accident and how a bicycle accident attorney may be able to help.
IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO CALL THE POLICE AFTER A BICYCLE ACCIDENT?
If you were involved in a bicycle accident with serious injuries, your priority is to seek emergency medical help and call 911. The police will likely respond along with paramedics. The police may write an accident report and document the scene of the accident. Suppose any of the involved parties violated traffic laws. In that case, the police may issue them a ticket or take them into custody – if, for example, the driver of a motor vehicle involved in the accident is determined to be intoxicated.
However, if you were knocked off your bike or otherwise involved in a non-serious accident, you may still want to report what happened to the police. They may or may not dispatch an officer to the scene, but reporting the accident may be beneficial later on if you decide to file a claim.
HOW WILL I RECOVER COMPENSATION FOR MY BICYCLE ACCIDENT INJURIES?
In a bicycle accident in the state of Washington, you may seek compensation for your damages by filing an insurance claim with the at-fault party – for example, the distracted driver of a passenger vehicle. Ideally, you should be able to file an insurance claim and receive a check after a few weeks. In reality, however, things don’t always go so smoothly.
Some drivers are underinsured or carry no insurance whatsoever. Other drivers may have an insurer that acts in bad faith and denies your claim. In those cases, you may want to contact a bicycle accident attorney to learn how you should proceed. For example, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company or take matters to the courtroom and seek compensation by filing a lawsuit. Only an experienced bicycle accident lawyer can advise you on your specific case.
HOW MUCH MONEY MAY I BE ABLE TO RECEIVE FOR MY BICYCLE ACCIDENT?
If your accident resulted in substantial property damages and injuries, you might be entitled to be reimbursed for your losses. A typical bicycle accident claim is a combination of economic and non-economic damages. For example, suppose your bike was destroyed, and a lot of your gear was damaged beyond repair. In addition, you had to be taken to the hospital with a broken leg and could not go to work for a month. The costs of repairing or replacing your bicycle and gear, your medical bills, and lost wages are all examples of economic damage.
An accident of this nature also causes a host of other damages known as non-economic damages. Non-economic damages account for the psychological effects of an accident – the pain, suffering, diminished capacity for your usual activities, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish of being involved in a traumatic accident. As a general guideline, the more severe your accident and injuries are, the higher your claim value may be. The only way to get a more accurate estimate of your case value is to reach out to a bicycle accident attorney who can evaluate the specific circumstances surrounding your accident.
HOW SOON SHOULD I CONTACT A BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY?
In Washington, bicycle accident victims have up to three years to file a lawsuit. However, it is not recommended to wait for that long. The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to gather evidence to support your case. The statute of limitations may be longer for minors. However, it’s best to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible so that work to gather necessary evidence can begin. You can increase your chances of recovering fair compensation by taking immediate action and contacting a Bellevue bicycle accident law firm such as Cascade Injury Law, PLLC. Reach out to Cascade Injury Law, PLLC, at 425-654-8121.
