Clayton County Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Clayton County can be a great place to ride a bike, with hundreds of trails, lots of biking events, and a strong cycling community available to local residents. Sometimes, though, Clayton County can instead be a dangerous place to ride, especially when motorists on the street fail to observe the rules and watch for riders.
When a car or other motorized vehicle collides with a bicycle, the results can be tragic. If you are suffering from a bicycle accident, you first need to focus on getting medical care and working toward a full recovery, but you also need to give some thought to the long-term effects, including added expenses.
Fortunately, there is help available in the form of a dedicated personal injury attorney. An experienced Clayton County bicycle accident lawyer could assist you by helping to determine whether you may be entitled to money for your injuries and arguing on your behalf in discussions with insurance companies, attorneys, and others involved in the aftermath of the accident.
Basic Information About Filing a Claim After an Accident
If a bicyclist is involved in a wreck with a motor vehicle, they should first contact the police and get a police report, even if their injuries appear to be minor. While the motorist’s insurance company may pay for personal injuries suffered by the bicyclist or damage caused to the bicycle, they will often only pay up to the limit of the driver’s liability coverage, which may not be enough to cover the cost of medical bills.
In addition, an insurance company may argue that injuries suffered are based on pre-existing conditions which they should not be required to pay for. It can be helpful to work with a Clayton County bike crash attorney when dealing with the insurance company, especially if you end up having to file a lawsuit because insurance payments are not sufficient.
Types of Compensation That May Be Available
Those injured in bike wrecks in Clayton County may be eligible to receive money for different injuries and losses resulting from the accident. If a bicycle wreck lawyer in Clayton County can prove someone else’s negligence or deliberate wrongdoing is responsible for the accident, the injured party may recover a monetary damage award to cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Doctor’s bills
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Lost income
- Anticipated future medical needs
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
These types of damages may be sought in a lawsuit. However, if the injured person filing the claim has sufficient evidence to back up the claim, the other party may seek to settle out of court instead. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Clayton County could evaluate settlement offers to determine whether they provide enough compensation to meet a victim’s future needs.
Contacting a Clayton County Bicycle Accident Attorney
Although many attorneys in Clayton County handle accident cases, not all of them have experience with lawsuits involving bicycle accidents. Bicycles are unique vehicles with their own set of road rules, and alleged violations of these rules may come up in the defense of a bicycle accident lawsuit.
So, if you are suffering injuries from a bike accident, it may be important to work with a Clayton County bicycle accident lawyer familiar with the best strategies to use in local courts. Any lawsuit filed to seek recovery for the accident usually must be filed within two years of the accident due to Georgia’s statute of limitations, so call now to get a free evaluation of your case.
