Villa Park Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Swapping four wheels for two is an easy way to save on gas, skip traffic, and get fit in the process. However, life in the saddle can be far more dangerous than the cushy interior of the family sedan. Every year, hundreds of cyclists are injured on California’s busy roads. If you were the victim of a wreck, turn to our Villa Park bicycle accident attorneys to discuss your options. Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ring 1-800-GO-HARRIS to connect with one of our attorneys.

How Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys Can Assist with Your Case

Before reaching out to an attorney in Villa Park, you will want the assurance that hiring an attorney is the right decision for you and your loved ones. After all, taking this step should help simplify your life, not make it more complicated. At HPIL, we understand that life after an accident can be incredibly challenging. Between the medical bills, doctor’s visits, and calls from the insurance company, it’s only natural to feel completely out of your depth. Our legal team can handle the logistics of your claim so you can get back to focusing on other matters. Here are a few ways we might be able to help with your claim:

• Estimate a Fair Settlement: Approximating the value of your damages in the aftermath of a bicycle accident is a critical step during proceedings. It’s unlikely that the insurer’s first offer will be fair, and without an accurate idea of what your claim might be worth, you could be lured into accepting this low-ball proposal rather than negotiating a more favorable settlement. At HPIL, we can conduct an in-depth investigation to gather the necessary evidence to prove your claim and estimate the potential value of the losses you’ve incurred.
• Investigate the Accident: If you are seeking a considerable settlement, it’s likely the insurer and other opposing parties will search for reasons to dispute your claim. Gathering strong evidence can help counter such defenses and establish a strong foundation to prove liability, causation, and damages. We offer tailored representation, which means we will help investigate the accident and adopt an approach unique to you and your case.
• Negotiate the Claim: Once the insurance company has approved your bicycle accident claim, you will need to negotiate a settlement. Our legal team will know whether the insurer’s offer is fair. Your personal injury lawyer can also represent you during negotiations and help deal with any disputes that may arise.
• Litigate Your Case: While most claims are settled during settlement negotiations, there are some scenarios where it may be in your best interests to file a lawsuit. For example, if the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement, your lawyer may advise you to proceed to trial. While some attorneys may be hesitant to take this step, our trial lawyers are skilled litigators who relish the opportunity to go court. Not only can we help prepare your claim by gathering the necessary evidence to prove liability, causation, and damages, but we can also provide tenacious representation from the first day of trial until the final verdict.

Should I Visit the Doctor Even If My Injuries Aren’t Serious?

You were struck by a distracted motorist, but—somehow—you’ve survived unscathed. Instead of visiting the doctor, you dust yourself off, count your blessings, and head home. However, a few hours later you begin experiencing a splitting headache. Your diagnosis reveals that you’ve suffered brain trauma, a catastrophic injury that is not only expensive to treat but could saddle you with complications for life. This is an example of why you should never forego or delay a doctor’s visit after an accident. Many serious conditions may present with either latent or minor symptoms. Left undiagnosed your condition could deteriorate. You might also face disputes during settlement negotiations. Here are a few more reasons why you should always seek medical attention after a bicycle accident:

• A Prompt Diagnosis Can Help Connect Your Injuries to the Accident: To obtain a settlement or verdict in a personal injury case, you will usually need to show that your damages are tied to the accident that was caused by the defendant’s negligent or reckless actions. The sooner you visit the doctor after the accident, the easier it may be for your attorney to connect your condition to this traumatic event. Dragging your heels could result in disputes. For instance, the claims adjuster may argue that you sustained your injuries in a separate incident as the date of your medical evaluation doesn’t correlate with the day of the accident.
• Urgent Care Can Help Highlight the Severity of Your Injuries: If your lawyer claims that you suffer debilitating pain due to your injuries, but your records show that you waited a week before seeking treatment, the insurer may challenge this aspect of your claim. For instance, they may argue that a reasonable person experiencing similar symptoms would’ve sought medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. As such, it’s important to schedule a doctor’s appointment immediately after you leave the scene. This will not only help demonstrate that you required urgent care, but that you also took sufficient steps to mitigate damages.
• Seeking Treatment Will Make It Easier to Prove Damages: A diligent doctor will almost always log details about your injuries as part of your medical records. These records can include important information about the types of injuries you sustained, the extent of these injuries, recommended procedures, and other healthcare interventions. Not only will the insurer want to see your official records to assess your damages, but your attorney will also rely on these documents to estimate the potential recovery in your case and prove your losses.

Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to Speak to a Villa Park Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you or someone close to you was injured on the road, it may be in your best interests to speak to one of our Villa Park bicycle accident attorneys. Contact us on our 24/7 line at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or jump to our Contact Page to schedule a free case assessment.