If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault, you need a team on your side who truly understands what you’re going through. At Heninger Garrison Davis, our Eutaw personal injury lawyer have been helping bike injury victims get fair compensation for years.
We know bikes and cars don’t mix well when drivers aren’t paying attention. We’ve seen firsthand how lives can be changed in an instant. That’s why we work tirelessly to ensure negligent parties are held fully accountable.
We’ll investigate thoroughly, negotiate aggressively, and won’t back down if a trial is needed.
Most importantly, our Eutaw bicycle accident lawyers will treat you with compassion. Together, we’ll get you the justice and financial security you need to heal.
How Long do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim?
Alabama has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those arising from bicycle accidents. This means you must file your lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident. It’s crucial to understand that the clock starts ticking on the day of the collision, not when injuries may have fully developed or medical costs are known.
Even if the injury feels minor at first, it’s important to document everything because symptoms can worsen over time. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer promptly ensures any potential claim remains eligible.
Your Eutaw bicycle accident attorney can evaluate liability and damages to determine the best way to preserve legal rights, whether through active litigation or by attempting negotiations with insurance companies first. But that two-year window remains the hard deadline to take action or accept a settlement.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer serving Eutaw, call (205) 326-3336
Handling Insurance Companies
Many insurers lowball the value of claims, thinking victims will simply take whatever they offer. You are not obligated to accept a settlement. It’s important to speak to a personal injury lawyer to understand the true value of your claim before you take any offer.
Once you accept, you waive the right to collect any further compensation or take legal action in the future. We have the expertise and tenacity to negotiate the maximum settlements our clients truly deserve. Dealing with insurance companies alone can be intimidating; they may try to rush a sub-optimal payout or deny a fair amount.
An experienced cycling accident lawyer in Eutaw understands how to leverage the law to the victim’s advantage. The lawyer will request complete case documentation, highlight weaknesses in an insurer’s position, and refuse low settlements, taking an issue to trial if needed to achieve an outcome that truly makes their client whole again.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Here are some common injuries that can result from bicycle accidents and potentially lead to a personal injury lawsuit:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Bicycle crashes often result in cyclists hitting their heads, which can lead to concussions or other serious brain injuries. Even mild TBIs can have long-lasting impacts.
- Broken/Fractured Bones: Broken limbs, especially arms and legs, are unfortunately common in bike wrecks. Bones in the wrist, collarbone, pelvis, and ribs frequently fracture on impact.
- Spinal Cord/Back Injuries: Falling from a bicycle can cause spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, or long-term back/neck pain from injury to ligaments or joints.
- Soft Tissue Damage: Muscle tears and tendon/ligament sprains are common in crashes. Knee and shoulder injuries often require surgery and lengthy rehab.
- Facial/Dental Injuries: Collisions can break jaws and noses or knock out teeth. Extensive reconstructive procedures may be needed.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys sometimes occurs and requires extensive hospitalization.
- Amputation: Very serious accidents could potentially lead to the loss of a limb, especially if tangled in wreckage.
- Wrongful Death: In cases of wrongful death, the surviving family members may be eligible to seek punitive damages.
What Damages Can I Claim After a Bicycle Accident in Alabama?
Here are some of the common types of damages you may be able to claim after a bicycle accident in Alabama:
- Medical Expenses: A lawyer will work with you to gather all past and future medical bills related to injuries from the accident. This includes doctor visits, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescriptions, and more.
- Lost Wages: If the accident caused you to miss time from work, a lawyer can help document lost pay and calculate potential lost future earnings capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: Even after injuries heal, accidents often cause long-term pain, disability, disfigurement, or emotional trauma. A cycling accident attorney can appropriately value non-economic damages.
- Property Damage: If your bike or gear was destroyed, your attorney will assess repair/replacement costs.
- Loss of Enjoyment: If you can’t fully participate in your pre-accident lifestyle or family activities due to injuries, your lawyer will pursue compensation for this intangible loss.
- Future Medical Costs: A lawyer will use actuarial data to estimate the costs of any lifelong medical needs, monitoring, or treatment required due to the accident injuries.
By thoroughly investigating your claim and consulting with medical experts, an experienced bicycle injury attorney can accurately compile all financial impacts to seek full and fair damages recovery from those responsible for your injuries and losses.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Law Firm in Eutaw for a Free Case Evaluation With No Obligation
Every cyclist deserves to feel safe on the roads. But when negligent drivers cause crashes that are entirely preventable, it affects far more than just the moments of impact. The injuries, financial strain, and recovery process take both physical and emotional tolls on victims and their loved ones.
If you or a family member have faced physical or financial hardships because of a bicycle accident, you need advocates who understand the road ahead. Our team at the Birmingham-based offices of Heninger Garrison Davis is dedicated to helping accident victims get their lives back.
Let our experience help ease your worries so you can focus fully on healing. Contact us today to start regaining control and putting the crash in the past. Find out how we can help.