Bicycling has become more popular than ever. Employees in Alabama cities are choosing to commute by bicycle. Others enjoy the great outdoors while bicycling on Alabama’s beautiful trails, such as the Vulcan Trail, the Black Creek Park Trail, the Bradford Creek Greenway. Unfortunately, bicyclists are often victims of car accidents that are not their fault. Bicyclists involved in accidents with automobiles often become seriously injured. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Alabama, you may be compensated for your damages.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
After being involved in a bicycle accident, the steps you take are essential, and they can affect your claim for damages. The first step you should take is to call 911 and request a paramedic and a law enforcement officer to come to the accident scene. The paramedics will evaluate you and recommend a course of action for your medical treatment. If the paramedic suggests you go to the emergency room, follow their advice.
You also need to make sure that you keep all of your medical records, attend all of your doctor’s appointments, and take all of your medication. Doing so can help you show that the bicycle accident caused your injuries and their severity. The police officer at the scene will ask you questions about what happened. Try to give simple, straightforward answers. Do not admit fault for the accident, which can be challenging due to the shock of the incident.
After receiving medical attention, your next step should be to discuss your case with an experienced attorney. Many bicyclists become seriously injured due to the lack of protection. When bicyclists collide with a motor vehicle, the bicyclist will typically become more severely injured. Because of the severe nature of the injuries, working with an attorney is crucial. The motor vehicle driver’s Insurance company is required to pay for your damages as long as you can prove that the driver was at fault for the accident. An attorney can help you gather evidence supporting your claim. An attorney will also negotiate aggressively with the driver’s insurance company so you can obtain the best settlement available.
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Proving Liability After a Bicycle Accident
Whether you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver or you would like to file a claim with the insurance company, you will need to prove liability. The first step in establishing liability is to show that you meet the burden of proof. You will need to show that you were injured due to another party’s negligence. Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to deny victims of bicycle accidents the compensation they need and deserve. That is why you need an experienced attorney who will aggressively negotiate with the insurance company and help you win a claim.
The Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims in Alabama
You do not have unlimited time to bring a bicycle accident lawsuit in Alabama. Alabama places statutes of limitations, or time limits, on legal claims. The statute of limitations for bicycle accidents in Alabama is two years. As a result, you will only have two years from the date of the bicycle accident to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver who caused the accident. Two years may seem like a lot of time, especially as you dealt with severe injuries, and it can be tempting to pursue a lawsuit.
However, the sooner you begin discussing your case with an attorney, the better. Your attorney will have more time to start investigating your case and gathering evidence. Alabama courts will bar you from bringing a lawsuit if you wait longer than two years. Do not let this happen. The experienced Attorneys at Heninger Garrison Davis are prepared to advocate for you to recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Skilled Alabama Bicycle Accident Attorney
Heninger Garrison Davis has proudly served Alabama clients for decades. We have a proven track record of successfully obtaining compensation for our clients. We also offer our clients a free initial consultation to learn more about our law firm and ask questions about their case without the financial burden of paying for a consultation. Contact Heninger Garrison Davis today to schedule your free initial consultation.
