Getting injured in a bicycle accident can alter your life forever. Regardless of the level of injuries you sustain, it’s important to understand your legal options when it comes to holding the responsible party accountable and recovering damages for your losses. Fortunately, a Lafayette bicycle accident lawyer can help you, so you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC, brings over five decades of experience to the table that we are ready to put to work for you. We can handle everything from offering advice and guidance to negotiating deals and representing you in court if it comes down to it. No matter what happens throughout the claims process, we’ve got you covered.
Riding a bike is a common form of transportation and a convenient one at that. In Louisiana, bicycles are considered vehicles, which means they have all the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers on the road. More and more roadways and intersections are designed with cyclists in mind to minimize the number of accidents on the road.
Even with these considerations, bicyclists are at a clear disadvantage on the road. Additionally, they’re far more vulnerable when it comes to collisions. Cyclists are more prone to severe or fatal injuries than drivers in a standard motor vehicle.
That said, fatalities from bicycle accidents in Louisiana decreased by 20.5 percent between 2022 and 2023. There were 35 bicycle fatalities and 749 injuries reported in the state in 2023. There were no fatalities reported in Lafayette Parish that year.
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If you’re filing a claim after a bicycle accident, one of two things is probably true: either you were in an accident and are seeking to recover damages for your injuries, or a loved one died in a bicycle accident, and you wish to file a claim on their behalf.
If the bicycle accident occurred on or after July 1, 2024, you generally have two years to file a personal injury claim. Wrongful death claims must be filed within one year of the decedent’s death. After filing, you can expect to enter negotiations with the at-fault party. In most cases, this means working with their insurance.
Insurers naturally want to save as much money as possible, so negotiations can be a challenge. It’s wise to work with a Lafayette bicycle accident lawyer to help you through the negotiation process. If you can’t reach a settlement agreement through negotiations, your attorney can represent you when you take your claim to court.
Litigation can extend the claims process because you have to work on the court’s schedule. Moreover, you likely won’t be able to come up with any type of flexible agreement. Court judgments tend to be more straightforward.
The amount you can recover from a bicycle accident depends partially on the severity of your injuries. You can incur any number of injuries from a bicycle accident, depending on the circumstances. Our team at Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC, has experience representing clients recovering from:
Some injuries are temporary, while others can leave a lasting impact. It’s important to assess the level of your injuries to be able to work toward the correct settlement amount. A Lafayette bicycle injury lawyer can evaluate your case and determine how to pursue your claim.
Settlement amounts for bicycle accident claims can vary depending on the severity of the accident and your injuries, who was at fault, and the presence of any aggravating factors. You can recover both economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury claim, and a Lafayette bicycle accident lawyer can help you secure the maximum amount.
You are allowed to file a claim and go through the process on your own after a bicycle accident. However, this means you have to enter negotiations on your own and even represent yourself in court if your case enters litigation.
A Lafayette bicycle accident lawyer can help you navigate the claims process no matter how complex things get. Moreover, they can use their extensive legal knowledge to build a strong case that can secure you the compensation you deserve.
If the at-fault driver leaves the scene after a bicycle accident, you’re not out of luck. One of the first things to do is contact law enforcement to file a report. It’s important to document as much of the scene as possible and ask for a copy of the police report, too. You may be able to seek legal recourse by filing a claim with the Motor Insurer’s Bureau or through your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
If you’re in a bicycle accident, it’s highly recommended to connect with a Lafayette bicycle accident lawyer. While filing a claim is straightforward, successfully recovering damages can be a challenge without the right evidence on your side. An attorney can help you stay organized and build the strongest possible case to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
It’s important to be able to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions, especially when those actions cause you harm. If you’re injured on a bicycle and wish to file a claim, a Lafayette bicycle injury lawyer from Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC, can help you figure out what to do next.
Our team has 50+ years of experience in personal injury law, so we’re confident we can help you through your case. We offer personalized strategies aimed at our clients’ individual needs, so you can count on us to take care of you. Call us to schedule your consultation with a personal injury lawyer today.