Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Provo
A Provo, Utah, bicycle accident can turn your world upside down in the blink of an eye. Before you know it, you are facing mounting medical expenses and financial instability because of an accident caused by a careless motorist. What should you do to get the compensation and justice you deserve? Not only do you need to cope with the devastating physical injuries caused by a careless motorist, but most bicycle accident victims must also deal with the stress of trauma, mental health issues, and being suddenly thrust into a financially unstable situation. A Provo bicycle accident attorney may be the answer you’ve been searching for.
You may feel overwhelmed and need clarification about what comes next. That’s where the legal team at London Harker Injury Law comes in. At London Harker Injury Law, we understand how a Provo bicycle accident can upend a person’s life. Our legal team is committed to helping bicycle accident victims understand their legal rights while outlining their options for recovering maximum compensation for their injuries.
Have you been hurt in a Provo bicycle accident caused by a careless driver? Talk to an experienced Provo personal injury attorney today about your situation. Call London Harker Injury Law at (385) 519-0660 to arrange a complimentary case evaluation and learn more about how we may be able to help you fight for the money you deserve.
Do You Need an Attorney After a Provo Bicycle Accident?
In a word, yes. Bicycle accident claims can be complicated because injuries related to bicycle collisions tend to be severe. Getting the money you need to cover your significant medical expenses and other accident-related losses from an insurer may be challenging, especially if you are struggling to cope with your injuries and daily tasks. Having an attorney on your side from the beginning means you don’t have to worry about fighting with an insurer, completing time-consuming paperwork, or collecting evidence vital to your claim. Instead, your attorney can manage the ins and outs of the claim process and aggressively negotiate for the money you deserve.
In some situations, a personal injury lawsuit may be the best avenue for recovering compensation for your injuries. Working with an attorney means you have someone to explain your legal options who can navigate the complex Utah legal system. Before you accept money from anyone, talk to an attorney about your options for recovering compensation. After a significant bicycle accident, you may be physically and financially vulnerable. Now is not the time to go it alone.
Common Causes of Provo Bicycle Accidents
Provo bicycle accidents occur for numerous reasons. However, the leading cause of most bicycle accidents is driver carelessness or inattention. Yes, bicyclists are more difficult to spot than other drivers. Regardless, all motorists are responsible for paying attention to their surroundings and using caution on local roadways. Some of the most common causes of Provo bicycle accidents tend to include:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Driver fatigue
- Dooring accidents
- Failure to yield
- Aggressive driving behaviors
- Speeding
- Failing to follow traffic signs and signals
- Turning into crosswalks without looking
Low light conditions, poor visibility, mechanical defects, and poor road conditions can also lead to devastating bicycle accidents involving motorists.
Injuries Associated with Provo Bicycle Accidents
Unfortunately, collisions between bicyclists and motorists are often catastrophic for the bike rider. A driver gets protected by nearly 3,000 pounds of metal, fiberglass, airbags, and seatbelts. Bicyclists only have a helmet and the clothes on their backs for protection. Many accidents involving careless drivers and bicyclists result in life-altering and traumatic physical injuries. The most common injuries associated with Provo bicycle accidents can include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Neck and spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Road rash
- Burns
- Soft tissue damage
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Lacerations
- Contusions
Psychological trauma is also a potential consequence of a significant bicycle accident. The trauma associated with life-altering injuries, scarring, and potential life-long disability can lead to depression and anxiety. Post-traumatic stress disorder is another potential concern in the aftermath of a devastating bicycle accident.
Compensation Available for a Provo, Utah, Bicycle Accident
How do you know what compensation you deserve following a Provo bicycle accident? Can you trust the insurance company to give you the money you need to move forward with your life? Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. It is in their best interest to offer you as little money as possible as quickly as possible. It helps them move through claims quickly while saving money and increasing their bottom line.
Settling for a quick, initial insurance offer is seldom in your best interest. You may need help calculating the value of your claim and ensuring you are getting the money you need to cover your medical expenses and other financial losses. It is easy to overlook your future medical expenses, including additional medical treatments, physical therapy, and rehabilitation, to secure an immediate payout for your current bills.
Working with a skilled Provo bicycle accident attorney is essential. An attorney can work with you to calculate the value of your claim and negotiate for the maximum compensation you deserve. In many cases, you may able to seek compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
The value of a bicycle accident claim varies depending on the circumstances of the accident, the severity of your injuries, and other factors. When you work with an experienced attorney, you get valuable legal advice. You also get someone who can accurately calculate the value of your losses and who can then fight for every penny you deserve.
Statute of Limitations for Provo Bicycle Accident Cases
Sometimes, filing an insurance claim for the money you need isn’t enough. There are circumstances where it may be necessary to take a case to court to recover full and fair compensation from a careless individual or entity following a traumatic Provo bicycle accident. Bicycle accident cases fall under the category of personal injury lawsuits. Utah gives accident victims a specific timeframe to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for their financial losses. In most cases, the statute of limitations for Utah personal injury cases allows four years from the accident date to file suit against the at-fault party.
Four years may sound like enough time to get your case in order and file it with the court. However, consider what can happen in that amount of time. That time can fly by when an insurer drags their feet or refuses to negotiate with you in good faith. Some insurers may bide their time, waiting for the legal deadline to file a case lapse. This strategy often gives you no choice but to accept their settlement offer. Filing a case after the statute of limitations expires often results in the dismissal of your case by the court.
Evidence vital to your case may be lost or destroyed in four years, weakening your potential lawsuit. Protect yourself and all your legal options for recovering compensation by discussing your situation with an experienced Provo bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible.
What to Do After a Provo Bicycle Accident
Most people who navigate Utah roads on a bike or by car understand what to do immediately after a collision. You stop, call the authorities, exchange information, and document the crash scene. These steps are essential and apply to all types of accidents. However, what many accident victims don’t understand is their actions in the days and weeks following a collision can significantly impact their ability to seek meaningful compensation for their injuries and financial losses.
What steps can you take after a Provo, Utah, bicycle accident that can protect you and potentially strengthen your compensation claim? Here are ways you can give yourself the best chance of recovering the money you need:
- Seek medical attention immediately– When it comes to your health and safety, take immediate action to get the help you need. That means seeking medical treatment for your injuries following an accident. You increase your chances of recovering from injuries when medical professionals intervene quickly. Your medical records can also help strengthen your claim by establishing the extent and severity of your injuries.
- Contact an attorney – The best way to protect yourself and build a compelling claim is to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable Provo bicycle accident attorney.
- Keep a paper trail – You must keep a paper trail of your accident-related expenses. Save all medical bills, repair receipts, pay stubs, and out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash. These documents can help your attorney calculate the fair value of your claim.
- Avoid social media – Avoid posting about the accident on social media platforms. Even seemingly harmless statements or photographs may be used against you by an insurer or opposing attorney to discredit you or diminish the value of your claim. Don’t post online until your attorney resolves your claim.
Contact a Skilled Provo Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
At London Harker Injury Law, we are committed to offering you effective and strategic legal assistance during this challenging time. We know the tremendous toll a bicycle accident can take on an individual, and we want to help by pursuing maximum compensation for your financial losses.
Call our Provo office today at 77CARCRASH for a free consultation.