Palm Harbor Bicycle Accident Lawyer
When a motor vehicle collides with a bicycle, the results can be devastating. Emotional and physical trauma can ensue for the bicyclist, and often, there is a need to pay for remarkably high medical bills and other expenses.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in this type of accident, it is important to contact a Palm Harbor bicycle accident lawyer before time runs out.
Due to statutes of limitation, you only have a limited amount of time to file a suit and obtain the compensation you deserve. A personal injury attorney in Palm Harbor can help gather the elements of your claim and build a strong case.
Common Accident Factors
Motorists collide with bicyclists for many different reasons, but most of these reasons are rooted in negligent behavior. Drivers have a moral and legal obligation to drive safely and share the road with bicyclists, but many of them fail to take this obligation seriously. Some of the most common causes of accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving or speeding
- Failure to adhere to traffic laws
- Drunk driving
- Not paying attention to bicyclists
These reasons are simply inexcusable, and if a person is harmed by a motorist while riding their bicycle, they have the right to seek compensation for their injuries with the help of a Palm Harbor bicycle accident lawyer.
Influence of Injuries on Compensation
When a large car or truck collides with a bicycle, more than likely, the bicyclist will suffer more extensive injuries. Bicyclists are often thrown from their bicycle during an accident, and after, many must struggle with a permanent injury or disability for the rest of their life.
The most common injuries are broken and fractured bones, lacerations, scrapes and bruises, many may suffer concussions. Less common, but more severe injuries include:
- Internal injuries or bleeding
- Damage to the brain or spinal cord
- Paralysis
- Dismemberment
- Permanent nerve damage
If a person sustains one of these injuries, they will be forced to take a long road to recovery. This road is not only painful, but it is expensive as well, and it is not fair that they should have to shoulder the cost of their injuries alone. Hiring a bicycle accident lawyer in Palm Harbor can improve their chances of obtaining compensation.
Interacting With Insurance Companies
If a person intends to file a personal injury suit after their bicycle accident, they will more than likely need the aid of a Palm Harbor bicycle accident lawyer along the way. This is especially true if insurance companies or multiple parties are involved.
The ultimate goal of the insurance company is to pay the injured individual the smallest sum of money possible, and often, they will attempt to make the victim look as if they were the cause of their own accident.
It is important to avoid interacting with these individuals at all costs if an attorney is not present. Fortunately for many victims, insurance companies also hate going to court, and to prevent litigation, they may offer the injured party an out-of-court settlement before the proceedings begin.
Contact an Attorney
It is important to work with an experienced Palm Harbor bicycle accident lawyer for many reasons. First of all, an experienced lawyer will have extensive experience handling these types of cases.
Secondly, an experienced attorney will treat all of their clients with compassion and respect. Contact a lawyer today to schedule a consultation.