When your bicycle accident injuries substantially impact your life, you wonder how you will cover your costs and move forward. All hope is not lost.
With help from a Terrytown bicycle accident lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, you can identify who is responsible for causing your injuries and make them pay. We want to handle your Jefferson Parish case from start to finish while you focus on your recovery.
Do You Need Legal Help?
When recovering and wondering what to do after your bicycle accident, one of the thoughts that may cross your mind is whether you need legal help. Unfortunately, it is not always clear whether you should acquire legal counsel to discuss your case’s details. No one wants to be turned away in their greatest time of need.
However, if someone else is or could be responsible for causing your injuries, you should not be stuck covering the costs alone. Instead, the liable party should be ordered to cover your damages and compensate you for all the ways your life is affected by your injuries. With that in mind, your injuries must also substantially impact your life for you to have grounds for a claim.
This does not necessarily mean you must have suffered a devastating injury. Rather, your injuries must have affected your life emotionally, physically, or financially for you to have grounds for legal action. If you are still unsure whether you have the right to move forward with a case, reach out to us. You can learn more about what legal options may be available and how much you could obtain in damages.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientWhat to Expect From the Claims Process
One of the top reasons bicycle accident victims do not pursue their case is because the claims process overwhelms them. By not understanding what to expect from their case, they may fail to act and recover the compensation they deserve.
In the hopes of helping you get the most out of your case and the justice you are entitled to, we provided more information below about the bicycle accident claims process and what to expect from it.
However, remember that everyone’s case is different. What works for one may not work for your case. Some may be able to obtain a settlement. Others will need to go to court. Our team will tailor our approach to meet your specific needs so you can recover the compensation that is rightfully yours.
Investigating the Accident
One of the first steps in the bicycle accident claims process is investigating the cause of the accident. Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the cause of the collision.
In many cases, bicycle accidents occur when a bicyclist is struck by a motor vehicle. However, identifying what caused the motorist to hit the bicyclist will be up to your attorney.
Gathering Evidence to Prove Liability
Over the course of our investigation, we will be gathering the evidence needed to support your case. The burden of proof in bicycle accident and personal injury claims is based on a preponderance of the evidence.
This is a way of saying that the evidence presented must show the jury that the defendant is likely responsible for causing your injuries. Some of the more common types of evidence that could be used to prove fault in a bicycle accident claim include:
- Cell phone records
- Chemical blood alcohol test results
- Police reports
- Crash reports
- Accident reconstructionist reports
- Safety inspection reports
- Safety logs
- Photos of your injuries
- Photos of the accident scene
- Video of the accident
- Expert testimony
- Witness statements
Reviewing Your Damages
Before your attorney can file an insurance claim or lawsuit, we must determine how much your case is worth. Your lawyer will carefully analyze the ways your life has been affected by your injuries to insure no loss goes unaccounted for.
You have the right to recover economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages encompass financial losses, while non-economic damages describe how your life has been affected by your injuries. Some of the more common types of damages awarded in bicycle accident claims include:
- Physical pain and sufferingEmotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Lost income
- Costs of increased insurance premiums
- Loss of future earnings
- Medical bills
- Bicycle repair fees
- Other property damages
- Skin scarring and disfigurement
Insurance Claims and Negotiations
Once we know your claim’s value, we can file a claim with the insurance company. Since Louisiana is a fault state for auto accidents, you can file a claim with the liable party’s insurance provider.
Dealing with the insurance company is not easy. Your attorney will be responsible for negotiating with the insurer to ensure liability is assessed accurately and the insurance company compensates you up to the policyholder‘s claim, where applicable. We will never pressure you into settling for less than you deserve.
Bicycle Accident Lawsuits
Bringing your bicycle accident claim to court may be necessary if an insurance settlement does not adequately meet your needs.
Also, bringing your case to court may be the way for you to recover total compensation for your damages. Your attorney will be by your side every step, fighting for your right to fair compensation at trial.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientWork with Our Lawyers for Legal Guidance in Terrytown
The bicycle accident claims process can be involved, particularly when multiple parties share liability for your injuries. Fortunately, when you have a Terrytown bicycle accident lawyer at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers in your corner, you can heal from your injuries. At the same time, we deal with the insurance company and advocate for you in court.
Get your no-cost, risk-free consultation as soon as today. Call our office or complete our convenient contact form to get started on your case.
