With an estimated four million residents, it’s no wonder so many Los Angeles commuters choose to ride a bicycle to and from work or just to get around town. As the second-most populous city in the United States, second only to New York City, LA is the largest and most populous city in California.
But with all that bike riding comes the higher potential for accidents. Sometimes bikers collide with other bikers, pedestrians and stationary objects, while other times (much more frequent) they collide with motor vehicles – often resulting in grave injury. If you find yourself in need of legal help after a bicycle accident, there are some steps you should take to find the right fit in a bicycle accident attorney.
Determining if you need to partner with attorney in the first place can be the biggest decision. Sometimes, the answer is obvious, as you have suffered a high amount of bicycle damage and physical wounds that require hospitalization or surgery. But other times, the answer isn’t so clear. It’s OK. That’s what Power Legal is here for. Unsure if you have a case?
Call us now for your free consultation to discuss the details at 800-323-POWER.
Insurance companies, on the surface, exist to help you cover the costs of your bicycle accident. However, the underside of the insurance companies is their tendency to pay you off with a minimal amount so they can close out the case and move on without having to shell out a big award. As such, dealing with these companies can be a difficult and confusing process. Your bicycle accident attorney will help you cut through the red tape by filing claims on time and working with an adjuster that doesn’t want to pay up.
Your bicycle accident attorney is trained to analyze your policy and ensure the insurance company treats you justly. If you try to tackle the process on your own, the insurance companies will smell blood in the water and try to lowball you. When you have a lawyer on your side, the insurance companies know you’re serious and won’t back down.
If you have serious injuries as a result of the bicycle accident, especially those that require surgeries or other expensive medical procedures, those costs will add up extremely quickly. Taking the initial payout from the insurance company won’t be nearly enough to pay for ongoing medical expenses, which even your doctor may not realize how extensive they are.
A bicycle accident attorney will get the most out of your settlement and prevent the possibility of financial hardships as you recover.
Of vital importance is choosing an attorney that is an expert in your particular legal issue as well type of injury. You need one that has extensive experience in bicycle accident law – one who can interpret and stay on top of the many laws governing this area of expertise. Plus, insurance policies are often written with confusing language, and it’s easier to lean on an attorney who knows how to decode what those laws and policies mean.
A bike attorney will also know how to build a strong case, compiling the best evidence possible to ensure you get what you deserve.
Ask potential representation plenty of questions. After all, you’re hiring them to win your case! One of the first questions you should ask is how much experience they have with bicycle accidents and how many successful outcomes they have had. Then, ask how the process works, how they will stay in touch with you and what the projected timeline looks like.
Yes, you are hiring an attorney to do all the hard work and ease your burdens; however, it’s in your best interest to stay engaged and involved with the process to boost your chances of a positive outcome.
Knowing how to hire a bicycle accident attorney is critical once a crash has already occurred. But it’s always best to avoid an accident in the first place. As a cyclist in a heavily congested area like LA, you need to take certain precautions, such as wearing the proper safety equipment, understanding local bicycle laws, and knowing how to properly signal to pedestrians and motorists. By taking all of the above seriously, you can vastly improve your chances of staying safe on the road.
If the worst has happened and you have gotten into a bicycle accident, take stock of your injuries, get medical attention and then call the lawyers at Power Legal Group for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We can be reached at 800-323-POWER, offering home visits when needed.