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Riding a bicycle can be an enjoyable commute, exercise, or a way to spend a nice day outdoors. However, accidents happen due to negligent drivers, unsafe roads, or defective bicycle equipment.
You may be entitled to compensation if you have been involved in a bicycle accident near Lincoln, Illinois, resulting in medical bills, lost income, permanent injuries, or other damages.
However, dealing with insurance companies and establishing liability can quickly become overwhelming. For this reason, working with an experienced personal injury law firm can help level the playing field.
Onward Injury Law has spent years helping injured persons and their families recover damages from at-fault parties. We handle the legal complexities so you can focus on healing. Contact us today for a consultation.
Why Hire a Lincoln Bicycle Accident Attorney?
Bicycle accidents may seem like minor incidents, but they can easily result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, disfigurement, and even wrongful death. Costs also add up quickly when medical expenses, lost income, and long-term rehabilitation services come into play.
Insurance companies know most people lack the expertise and stamina to fight legal battles over denied claims or inadequate compensation offers. We have the knowledge and perseverance to stand up to corporate defense tactics on your behalf.
With an attorney, you can expect help with tasks like:
- Obtaining police reports
- Documenting the scene through photos and video
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Inspecting any defective bike parts
- Reviewing all medical reports and expenses
- Calculating short and long-term costs
- Determining liability of all potentially negligent parties
- Negotiating fair insurance claim settlements
- Taking legal action in court if needed
Do not wait to seek counsel from a qualified Lincoln bicycle accident lawyer after suffering injuries. Evidence can get lost, and witnesses’ memories fade quickly. We build more influential claims on our client’s behalf by promptly investigating what happened.
Our Proven Results
Onward Injury Law boasts a long track record of success with bicycle injury claims.
For example, in several recent central Illinois bicycle accident cases, our law firm:
- $200,000 settlement for a client in a bicycle accident in Macon County.
- $121,000 for a client in a bicycle accident in Livingston County
- $100,000 for a client in a bicycle accident in Macon County
Our attorneys can establish liability in similar personal injury cases and not allow insurance companies to lowball our clients. Damage recovery for these types of accidents includes medical costs, lost freelancing income, pain and suffering, and permanent impairment.
Negligent parties often initially dispute fault until our investigations prove their actions were harmful and actionable.
Every person involved in a bicycle accident faces unique circumstances. While results vary and past performance does not guarantee future outcomes, our in-depth experience with injury litigation provides clients confidence and peace of mind during difficult situations. Do not hesitate to contact us online or call us for a free consultation regarding your potential claim.
What Damages Can a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help Recover?
Injured persons have the right to collect economic and noneconomic damages covering the full extent of losses and costs stemming from unnecessary suffering. With a Lincoln bicycle accident lawyer from Onward Injury Law negotiating claims or litigating on your behalf, available compensation may include:
- Past and future medical bills – Any upfront hospital and emergency care expenses, ongoing treatments, long-term rehabilitation services, assistive devices, home modifications, and more.
- Lost past and future income – Value of missed work time plus reduced earning capacity from disabilities or disfigurement.
- Property damage – Repair or replacement costs for any property damaged, especially bicycles.
- Loss of enjoyment – Compensation for losing the ability to participate in treasured hobbies, activities, and family experiences.
- Pain and suffering – Damages covering physical and emotional trauma from injuries.
- Loss of companionship or consortium – Compensation for families and spouses dealing with disruptions to relationships and support due to injuries.
- Wrongful death damages – Financial compensation for families who lose a loved one, including funeral costs, lost savings and income contributions, loss of companionship, and more.
Remember that bicycle accidents with motor vehicles often involve navigating two insurance policies – the cyclist’s and the driver’s. In this situation, having a lawyer well-versed in injury law proves invaluable. We know how to establish negligence and maximize compensation from all liable parties.
Steps to Take After a Lincoln Bicycle Accident
While securing medical assistance should always remain the top priority after any severe bicycle accident, there are also some fundamental legal steps to take.
These include:
- Report the Accident – Notify police immediately and provide precise details on how the collision occurred. Ask witnesses to stick around for statements. Police reports prove invaluable when filing insurance claims later.
- Seek Witnesses – Get names and contact details for anyone who saw the events leading up to and during the accident. Their accounts help establish fault.
- Take Photos – Use a phone to take images capturing vehicle damage, bicycle damage, and injuries. Also, photograph the accident scene from multiple angles, if possible, while memories remain fresh.
- Get Checked Out by Doctors – Even if you initially feel fine, see a physician as soon as possible. Some injuries cause delayed symptoms. And medical paperwork will be vital for your insurance claim.
- Keep Records – Save all medical paperwork, bills, accident photos, insurance letters, police reports, etc. Start an accident file or notebook. Also, keep a journal with medical appointment details, symptoms, and life impact.
- Call an Attorney – Contact an experienced Lincoln bicycle accident lawyer for a free consultation. They can handle time-consuming negotiations and maximize compensation.
By promptly consulting an attorney, you can prevent insurance companies from taking advantage during vulnerable times. Our team guides you through every necessary step of the legal process, allowing clients to focus their energy on simply feeling better.
The Dangers of Dooring
One hazard Illinois bicyclists face far too often involves vehicle doors opening unexpectedly along frequent cycling routes.
Dooring accidents typically occur when:
- A parked driver or passenger swings their door open without checking.
- An Uber, Lyft, or taxi passenger exits without caution.
- Parked delivery truck operators carelessly fling doors wide upon exit.
Even at slow neighborhood speeds, cyclists unable to brake in time violently collide into the obstacle, suffering severe injuries. Dooring accidents almost always result from the vehicle occupant’s negligence and failure to check the surroundings first.
Under municipal codes and state laws, bicyclists enjoy full legal motoring rights when cycling on public streets. Accordingly, vehicle occupants are responsible for opening doors only when no bike traffic approaches and may get struck.
Our Lincoln bicycle accident attorneys have helped residents secure many settlements, holding careless drivers financially liable for damages. We build strong negligence claims, ensuring those responsible pay.
Why Choose Onward Injury Law?
Lincoln personal injury lawyers hold the dedication, legal skills, and reputation for results that injured bicyclists require for successful compensation claims.
What sets the bicycle accident professionals at Onward Injury Law apart from the rest?
- Years of collective experience with Illinois injury law
- Millions recovered to date
- Detailed case investigations proving negligence
- No fees unless we win money for clients
- Free consultations anytime, 24/7
Our attorneys understand dealing with severe injuries causes enough turmoil without adding financial stressors and insurance claim anxiety. We minimize difficulties through compassionate counsel, transparent communication, and dedicated legal representation toward maximum compensation.
Contact our Lincoln bicycle accident law firm to learn more about what we can do for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Onward Injury Law works on a contingency fee basis – no settlement means no payment owed. A percentage covers incurred legal costs and fees if we obtain compensation through settlements or courtroom victories. Speak to one of our personal injury attorneys about details.
While possible, those who try going it alone often walk away with disappointingly low claim checks. Adjusters rely on the injured person’s lack of legal expertise for these minimal payouts. Attorney representation tends to result in far higher claim values, more accurately reflecting losses.