Longmont Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Longmont, CO, is a great place to ride your bicycle. The weather is good, the scenery is beautiful, and there are plenty of places to go. However, as with any activity, there is always the potential for accidents. Bicycles are no exception. These modes of transportation are becoming increasingly popular.
Still, they are also associated with a high number of injuries sustained in an accident from their lack of physical protection compared to other vehicles on the road. If you have recently ridden your bike through Longmont and found yourself the victim of an accident, advancing a claim with a bicycle accident law firm is the next logical step.
Proudly Serving Longmont Personal Injury Cases
At the law firm of Jeremy Rosenthal, we are proud to serve the people of Longmont, CO, who have been injured in bicycle accidents. We understand that this can be a difficult and confusing time for you and your family, and we are here to help. Each Longmont bicycle accident attorney on our team will earn you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We have a long legal history of success in these types of cases and are ready to work for you. So, connect with us today and learn more about how we can help you.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Longmont
There are a few things you should do after being involved in a bicycle accident in Longmont:
- Get medical attention quickly, even if you don’t believe that you are critically injured. Some injuries, such as concussions, may not present symptoms immediately. You don’t want to add any risk to your health by waiting to get checked out.
- Collect as much evidence as possible. This includes taking pictures of where everything occurred, getting the contact information of all witnesses, and writing down your recollection of what happened. This information is crucial when filing a claim.
- Do not speak to the other party’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize how much money is paid out on claims. Letting your lawyer handle all communication with the insurance company is best.
- Report the accident to the police. This creates an official record of what happened and can be used as evidence in your claim.
- Contact a Longmont bicycle accident lawyer. The sooner you find time to speak to a lawyer, the better. Your lawyer will begin investigating your claim and collecting evidence to support your case.
Why You Need a Longmont Bicycle Accident Attorney
You may face the temptation to handle your bicycle accident claim independently, especially if the damage seems minor. However, there are a few reasons why you should always consult with a lawyer after being involved in a bicycle accident, including:
- The insurance company does not operate in your best interest. Their goal is to assess how they can pay as little as possible on any claim under the law. A lawyer will know how to deal with the insurance company and get you the full value of your claim.
- You may be entitled to more compensation than you realize. In addition to medical bills and lost wages, you may be able to recover damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. A Longmont bicycle accident lawyer will know how to fully assess your damages and get you the maximum compensation possible.
- You may miss important deadlines. There are a ton of strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims in Longmont, Colorado. If you miss any of these, your claim will be dismissed, and you will be unable to recover any compensation. A lawyer will make sure your claim is filed on time.
- The claims process is complicated. Many steps are involved when filing a personal injury claim, from investigating the accident to negotiating with the insurance company. A lawyer handles all aspects of your claim so you can focus on your recovery.
- You need someone on your side. After the accident, you will be dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety. It can be helpful to have someone on your side to handle the legal responsibilities so that you can focus on your recovery.
Common Reasons Bicycle Accidents Happen in Colorado
There are many unfortunate reasons why bicycle accidents happen in Colorado. Some common reasons are:
- Speeding cars. Drivers who speed or fail to yield the right of way are a major hazard for bicyclists. The level of damage caused by a speeding car can be catastrophic and even fatal when a bicyclist is hit at intense speeds.
- Distracted driving. Drivers texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other activities are more likely to cause an accident. This often happens when drivers fail to see a bicyclist, even when the bicyclist is obeying traffic laws.
- Drunk driving. Drinking and driving is a serious problem in Colorado. Being intoxicated while operating a moving vehicle, whether a car, truck, or bicycle, increases your inability to make sound judgments and increases your reaction time if an accident occurs. This is why drunk drivers hit many bicycle accident victims.
- Poor road conditions. Potholes, debris, and other hazards can cause serious accidents. For example, a pothole can cause a bicyclist to lose control and crash into oncoming traffic.
- Bicycle defects. If your bicycle was defective or not properly maintained, it could cause an accident. For example, a defective tire could cause a blowout, resulting in a loss of control over your bicycle.
Injuries Caused by Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can cause various injuries, some of which may be serious or even life-threatening. Some common injuries are:
- Head injuries. These are some common and serious injuries caused by bicycle accidents. Even a minor head injury can cause long-term complications, such as concussion, brain damage, and more.
- Neck injuries. This happens when the force of the impact causes your head to snap forward and backward, damaging the neck and spine.
- Broken bones. The force of the impact can cause bones to break, especially in the arms and legs.
- Spinal cord injuries. These occur when the vertebrae in the spine are damaged. This can cause paralysis, loss of sensation, and other serious complications.
Bicycle Accident FAQs
Q: Why Do You Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
A: The average citizen of Longmont is not trained in the legal field and will likely not know what their full rights are after a bicycle accident. Independent representation can dramatically result in a lower settlement amount that does not adequately reflect the damages that were caused. When working with a bicycle accident law firm, you can confide that there is no money being left on the table.
Q: Who Is Usually at Fault If a Bicycle Is Involved in an Accident?
A: The only way to truly assess fault for a bicycle accident is to review all the evidence with an experienced lawyer. However, in many cases, the driver of the vehicle will be at fault because they were not paying attention, speeding, or breaking some other traffic law. In other cases, a cyclist who was not following the rules of the road could be partially at fault. For example, if a cyclist was riding on the wrong side of the road.
Q: Can You Sue a Cyclist?
A: If you were in a bicycle accident and the cyclist was at fault, then you may be able to sue them. This is in scenarios where the cyclist was not following the rules of the road, and their actions led to the accident. For example, riding into traffic, not taking roads designated for bicyclists, and having improper lighting when riding at night are all examples of when a cyclist could be at fault.
Q: How Do I Know If My Injuries Are Serious Enough to Sue Over?
A: Any injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence can be serious enough to sue over. However, some injuries are more severe than others and may warrant a higher settlement. These include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and paralysis. In addition, the longer the impact the accident has on your life, the more serious it may be, giving you grounds to sue for a higher amount.
Q: Can I Claim Damages for Being Knocked Off My Bike?
A: You may be able to sue for being knocked off your bicycle if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence and you were injured as a result. For example, if you were knocked off your bicycle by a car that ran a red light, you may be able to sue the car’s driver. However, an instance where you may not be able to sue is if you were riding on the wrong side of the road and fell off your bike, not because you were hit but because you lost control out of personal nerves or error.
Contact the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal Today
Seek help immediately after finding yourself in a bicycle accident by contacting the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal. As experienced Longmont bicycle accident lawyers, we can help you receive the full amount of compensation that equates to your damages. This can cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, and more. To schedule a consultation, contact us today.