Should You Call a Bicycle Accident Lawyer After a Collision?
Indiana does not require its bicycle accident survivors to contact an attorney after their accidents. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t convenient to discuss your accident with an attorney. When you bring an attorney onto the scene of a bicycle accident, you can count on them to:- Help you communicate your losses to your insurance provider
- Explain your situation to local police
- Counter a liable party’s attempt to deflect blame
- Investigate the scene of your accident for signs of negligence
- Compile evidence of negligence into a legal claim
- Initiate settlement negotiations on your behalf
- Take your bicycle accident claim to court
What Damages do You Deserve After a Bicycle Accident?
The damages you can request after a bicycle accident vary depending on the nature of your losses. In most cases, though, you can break your bicycle accident losses down into two categories. Your economic losses, or losses backed by tangible bills, can include:- Medical expenses
- Cost of restoring or replacing damaged property
- Wages lost while in recovery
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
How do You Hold Someone Accountable for a Bicycle Accident?
The most effective way to hold a particular party liable for your bicycle accident losses is to present evidence defending your assertion of fault. The evidence you bring forward alongside your complaint should highlight the nature of the liable party’s negligence. Similarly, you can use the evidence you find to emphasize that the liable party owed you a duty of care at the time of your accident. With that in mind, viable forms of post-bicycle accident evidence can include:- Statements from witnesses
- Police records
- Statements from first responders
- Additional expert witness statements
- Video or photo footage of your accident