You probably do not need a law firm to tell you that bicycling is great for getting around Brownsburg. Taking the county roads over to Eagle Creek Beach on a bike is a fantastic way to spend a Saturday. The same rule applies to commuting; why drive when you can start the day with a cool breeze blowing in your face?
Bicycling, as opposed to driving, is inherently risky. In the event of an accident, bicyclists have less protection than motorists. Bicycle accident victims have legal options, though. A lawsuit or insurance claim could offset your medical expenses and other damages. A Brownsburg bicycle accident lawyer from Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. can review your case.
Compensation Available to Bicycle Accident Victims
Compensation, which comes in the form of damages, could aid your recovery process. Damages in a bicycle accident case come in two types, economic and non-economic.
Economic damages focus on your finances and include:
- Upfront treatment costs, like surgery
- Ongoing care expenses, like rehabilitative therapy or medication
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
- Property damages
Non-economic damages address the emotional toll of a bicycle accident. They include:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Mental trauma
What if I Lost a Loved One in a Bicycle Accident?
If you are filing a claim on behalf of a lost loved one, we are truly sorry. We know how difficult it can be to recover after losing a special person. Our firm can represent those who are dealing with a wrongful death case. A bicycle accident attorney from our firm can pursue these unique wrongful death damages on your behalf:
- Loss of companionship
- Burial expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering your loved one experienced
- Your loved one’s medical expenses
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Brownsburg, call 317-636-7777
Do I Need to Hire an Attorney to Pursue a Bicycle Accident Claim?
No, Indiana law does not require you to hire a lawyer if you pursue a bicycle accident claim. Taking this approach would make you a “pro se” claimant. However, our firm strongly opposes not hiring a lawyer after an accident.
Bicycle accident claims can be complex. You may have to deal with difficult legal terminology and aggressive insurers. Juggling these challenges while recovering from a serious injury is not easy.
This is how we can simplify your case:
Contacting and Dealing with Insurers
Bicycle accidents often involve insurance claims. If the driver that injured you was carrying liability insurance, you could file a claim against their insurer. If not, you could turn to your insurance policy, provided you have uninsured motorist coverage (UM). UM is part of Indiana’s mandatory automotive insurance policy unless you opt out. Your own health insurance could provide some coverage, too.
Dealing with insurers can be a headache. We can:
- Negotiate for the best settlement possible
- Manage communications with insurers
- Advise you on what you can or cannot say to insurers
- Review applicable insurance policies
Investigate Your Case
To win a bicycle accident case, you must prove that someone else caused your injuries. We can review the evidence involved in your case, and:
- Confirm your injuries with medical providers
- Gather documentation like traffic camera footage and eyewitness statements
- Use the available evidence to establish fault
Pursuing Compensation
Once we have sufficient documentation of your injuries, we can prepare a settlement demand package. To prepare this package, we will estimate the value of your case. The liable party’s insurer or legal team may refuse this initial demand. If this happens, we can negotiate on your behalf.
Some bicycle accident cases necessitate lawsuits. We are prepared to go to court on your behalf if needed. Remember, even if a lawsuit is filed, settling outside of court is possible.
Brownsburg Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 317-636-7777
Are Bicycle Accident Lawyers Expensive?
Bicycle accidents can be expensive. Medical expenses and property damages can quickly add up. This is especially true if your bike was damaged beyond repair in the incident.
We know that our clients often struggle financially after accidents. For this reason, we work on a contingency-fee basis. This means that:
- We will not charge you anything upfront
- You do not pay us unless we win your case
- Our final fee will come as a percentage of your settlement award
This approach allows us to support clients in need, regardless of their financial standing.
Click to contact our Brownsburg Bicycle Accident Lawyer today
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bicycle Accident Case?
Liability is a core part of bicycle accident cases. Identifying a liable party is part of receiving a settlement. In a bicycle accident case, the liable party could be:
- A driver
- A municipality
- A trucker or trucking company
- Another party that caused your accident
To prove that a party is liable, you must show that they behaved negligently. For example, negligence involves four qualifiers in a bike accident case:
- A duty of care: Drivers are responsible for protecting other people on the roadway from harm. This responsibility is known as a duty of care. It is typically a given in bicycle accident cases.
- Breach of duty: A breach of duty refers to negligent behavior. For example, a driver running a stop sign would be considered a breach of duty.
- Causation: You cannot just prove that the liable party behaved negligently, though. You need to show that their negligent behavior caused your accident. This is called causation.
- Damages: Finally, you and your lawyer must prove that you suffered damages. We can review your medical expenses and other damages to show the extent of your damages.
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Bicycle Accident Lawsuits Are Time-Sensitive
Bicycle accidents are subject to Indiana’s personal injury statute of limitations. This law imposes a deadline on bicycle accident lawsuits. Per IC § 34-11-2-4, you have two years after a bicycle accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline may be longer or shorter, depending on the facts of your case.
Few bicycle accidents necessitate lawsuits. However, this does not mean you should wait to get started on your case. Getting a head start can:
- Provide your attorney with enough time to gather evidence
- Ensure that you have every legal tool available
- Prevent witnesses from forgetting what they saw the day of your accident
Let a Brownsburg Bicycle Accident Attorney Get Started on Your Claim Today
Our lead attorney, Randall Sevenish, is committed to supporting bicycle accident victims. Our firm only works on personal injury cases. A law firm that takes multiple types of cases may not be as familiar with personal injury law as ours. We can offer you a free, no-obligation case review. You are one phone call away from working with a Brownsburg bicycle accident lawyer. Contact Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. to get started.
Call or text 317-636-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
