Bicycle accidents aren’t like your typical car accident. Cyclists have almost no protection from much larger vehicles on the road. Even a low-speed collision can cause serious injuries that change a cyclist’s or their family’s life in an instant. Pursuing a legal claim with the guidance of a bicycle accident lawyer who understands the nuances of bicycle accidents gives you the best chance at holding the driver and their insurance companies accountable.
Why Team Green Law
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle crash around Terre Haute, you deserve a law firm that stands with you. At Team Green Law, our promise is simple: we surround you with a dedicated team of legal professionals who listen, guide, and fight to obtain the best compensation possible. Especially in bike accidents, it’s crucial to understand exactly what happened. We understand that bicycle accidents happen so fast; our attorneys are always compassionate and patient when working with any of our injured clients.
Having a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Matters
Many times, drivers are quick to point the finger at the cyclists. While in a car accident, the damage to the vehicles involved can provide quick insight into how the accident happened; this isn’t so obvious in a bicycle accident. A competent bicycle accident lawyer is well-versed in collecting the necessary evidence to support your claim. Whether it’s retaining experts who can provide credibility on how the accident occurred or tracking down witnesses or video evidence, you need a Terre Haute bicycle accident attorney who knows what sways insurance companies and judges.
What Laws Apply to Cyclists?
In Terre Haute and all of Indiana, bicycles are treated the same as other vehicles. This means you are subject to the same traffic laws. For example, you must follow applicable traffic laws, abide by traffic signs, yield to pedestrians, and more. If you violate these laws, it can impact your ability to bring a personal injury claim. If you think you weren’t in compliance with the law, that doesn’t automatically mean you cannot file a claim. Meeting with a Terre Haute bike accident lawyer can provide clarity on whether you are legally entitled to file a claim and, if so, how that will impact your potential compensation.
How Bike Crashes Happen in Terre Haute
The City of Terre Haute is working on making roads safer for cyclists, particularly in high-traffic areas. Initiatives include erecting additional signage indicating the presence of cyclists, establishing protected two-way bike lanes, installing curbs between bike lanes and driving lanes, altering traffic patterns, and more.
But accidents are still a common occurrence. Many bicycle crashes happen on busy roads shared with cars, trucks, and buses, leaving riders vulnerable to distracted or careless drivers. Common situations that result in bicycle accidents include:
- A vehicle turning left or right at an intersection strikes a bicyclist proceeding straight.
- A distracted or impaired driver fails to see a rider in a bike lane or roadway.
- A motorist opens a car door without checking for an oncoming cyclist (also known as “dooring”)
- A bicyclist is navigating a shared roadway or multi-lane road, and a driver fails to yield or merge safely.
Unfortunately, children can also be common victims of bicycle accidents, even on relatively quiet roads in their own neighborhoods. Kids are small, and despite warnings from parents to be careful around cars and adults knowing children may be in the neighborhood, it can be easy to miss a child or have them come out quickly in front of or behind a car.
What You Should Do Immediately After a Bicycle Crash
Being in an accident as emotionally and physically traumatizing as a bicycle accident can leave you in shock. Amidst the chaos, you may be feeling unsure what to do, but we are here to provide you with the next steps:
- Call law enforcement and get medical attention immediately
- Preserve clothing and the bicycle as evidence
- Call the police and obtain a copy of the accident report
- Keep all documentation from medical bills to photos and videos of your injuries, the scene of the accident, the vehicle, and more
- Consult with a bicycle accident lawyer before speaking at length with an insurance company.
Who Can I Bring a Claim Against?
There may be more parties you can file a claim against than are initially obvious. Of course, the most common person or party you will file a claim against is the driver of the vehicle that hit you. But they aren’t the only party from whom you can recover damages. Other parties who are possibly liable in a bicycle accident, and the context in which they are liable, can include:
- The driver’s employer, if they were on the clock at the time of the accident
- The driver’s employer, if they were responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle, and that contributed to the accident
- Vehicle or bike manufacturers, if a defect in either contributed to the accident
- Government entities, if the driver was on the job as a government employee at the time of the accident
- Government entities, if they failed to maintain the road that contributed to the accident
What Can I Claim from a Bicycle Accident?
Bicycle accident victims can be entitled to claim compensation for a number of damages. What compensation is available to you, and the amount you can reasonably expect to recover, will depend on the nature of the accident and the nature of the incident. At Team Green Law, our attorneys will also give you our honest opinion on your case and share the outcome of cases similar to yours. You deserve clarity throughout the entire claim process.
Compensation your attorney may request can include:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Property Damage
- Loss of Enjoyment
- Emotional Distress
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
If your accident occurred in Terre Haute, Indiana, state law applies to when you can file a personal injury claim. Typically, you have two years from the date of the accident. There is a different time frame and process when a government entity is involved in your case.
Even though you have two years to file, the sooner you meet with an attorney, the better. Beginning your case while everything is fresh in your memory, witnesses are easier to contact, and evidence is still readily available, can make a big difference in the success of your case.
What Team Green Law Can Do for You After a Bicycle Collision
The first thing we do when you contact Team Green Law is set up a no-cost case evaluation. At your evaluation, we want to hear everything you have to share so we can get a complete picture of the accident. If you retain our attorneys, we will immediately get to work on:
- Reviewing the accident scene
- Coordinating with expert witnesses on bike accidents or medical conditions as necessary
- Working with a private investigator, if appropriate, to get background information on the driver.
- Locate and speak with eyewitnesses
- Collect relevant medical and other documentation
After this, we will begin negotiating with the involved insurance companies and fighting to get you the highest offer possible. If insurance companies try to offer you less than you deserve, we are prepared to go to court and fight for fair recovery on your behalf.
Team Green Law’s Terre Haute Bicycle Accident Lawyers are Standing By
There is no doubt that the aftermath of your accident is a struggle, but Team Green Law is here to help you handle every step of the compensation process.
