In Crawfordsville, Indiana, bicyclists are legally entitled to ride on the roads, and it is important to know your rights before you start biking. Unfortunately, cyclists can become victims of negligence and accidents caused by inattentive drivers.
To have the best chance at recovering full and fair compensation, seek legal advice. A Crawfordsville bicycle accident lawyer with Vaughan & Vaughan will be able to determine if negligence was involved and what steps should be taken to seek rightful compensation for all of the damages sustained due to the accident.
Bike Accidents Are Often Caused By the Negligent Behaviors of Others
Bicycle accidents are a major cause of injury, disability, and death. Even with the advancement of safety measures, such as laws requiring people to wear helmets, cyclists still find themselves vulnerable in the presence of cars on busy roads.
There are numerous causes for bicycle accidents, ranging from drivers who simply do not see cyclists to motorists driving recklessly around them. Failure to see cyclists on the road is one of the most common causes of bicycle crashes.
Motorists sometimes fail to pay attention when changing lanes and miss someone riding a bike along the side of a car in their blind spot. Regardless of how the accident was caused, a bicycle accident attorney in Crawfordsville can investigate your case and identify the liable parties.
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Injuries We Commonly Claim in Bicycle Accident Cases
Bicycle accident injuries can be very serious and life-altering. As a cyclist, you have almost no protection to keep yourself safe in the event of an accident. The injuries you receive can be costly and may require considerable treatment.
If someone else caused your injury, a Crawfordsville bicycle accident attorney can work to ensure that you receive compensation to pay for proper medical care and physical therapy.
Common bicycle accident injuries may include:
Broken Bones
Bone fractures are among the most common injuries incurred by bicyclists involved in accidents. These can occur when cyclists fall off their bicycles onto hard surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, or rocks. The impact of the fall combined with any motor vehicle interactions is often enough to put riders at risk of bone fractures.
Soft Tissue Damage
Soft tissue damage is also quite common in bicycle accidents and may include sprains, strains, and contusions. This type of injury usually occurs due to impact from something like a car door opening or an unexpected surface change on the road.
Concussions or Traumatic Brain Injuries
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries are sometimes reported after bicycle accidents as well due to their clear connection with head trauma. Such injuries require medical care as they can have long-term health effects if not properly treated. A bicycle accident attorney in Crawfordsville can help to ensure you get the treatment and compensation you need for these often invisible injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be incredibly damaging and are among the most serious injuries cyclists can suffer as a result of an accident. These injuries are caused by any type of trauma to the spine, such as sustained during a fall or impact with a motor vehicle. Depending on the severity, spinal cord injuries may cause partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, and other long-term disabilities.
Treatment for your injuries may be lengthy and expensive. The impact on your mental health due to an accident can affect every aspect of your life, including how you interact with your loved ones.
If you were involved in a bicycle accident in Crawfordsville, speaking with an attorney can help you get financial compensation for the trouble it has caused in your life.
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A Crawfordsville Bicycle Lawyer Can Handle All Aspects of Your Case
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident in Crawfordsville, an attorney can help by performing the following tasks:
- Analyze the actual damages sustained and the value of your claim.
- Take care of communicating with the insurer’s adjusters, defense attorneys, and representatives.
- Create a legal plan of action.
- Gather and analyze all available information and evidence to determine who is at fault.
- Provide legal expertise, recommendations, and case updates.
- Discuss and negotiate settlement terms with opposing attorneys and any applicable insurance companies.
- Protect your right to seek damages by keeping track of legal deadlines and all relevant paperwork.
- Collect any and all evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness statements, and mobile phone videos.
- Find and retain appropriate experts as needed.
- Prepare your claim for court and present your case.
Insurance adjusters for the other party will work hard to undervalue or deny your claim. A personal injury attorney who focuses on cases involving cyclists can help you get the most money possible for your losses.
Recoverable Damages in a Bicycle Accident
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident due to the negligence of another, you are entitled to be compensated for your physical, financial, and mental damages. These compensatory damages can be part of either an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Your Crawfordsville bike accident lawyer can negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to maximize the damages you collect and will not hesitate to pursue legal action if necessary.
Damages you can recover include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- Physical rehabilitation costs
- Property damage to replace your bike and other belongings
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Our firm will take the time to calculate the actual damages in your claim to ensure you don’t have to take an undervalued settlement.
Get in Touch With a Bicycle Accident Law Firm in Crawfordsville Today
It’s challenging enough to heal and recover your strength after a bike accident. The majority of accident victims just don’t have the extra energy to spend to make sure their claim is successfully resolved.
The lawyers of Vaughan & Vaughan are familiar with the challenges and financial strains that can result from a bicycle accident. We can handle your legal matters so you can focus on getting better.
If you have any questions about bicycle accidents, the evidence needed in bicycle accident claims, or what to do next, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
