Bicycles are a great alternative mode of transportation in Twin Falls.
But cyclists have to share the road with larger vehicles, and a good amount of their safety is dependent upon drivers. Bicycle accidents are not uncommon in Twin Falls and are often the result of negligent or careless drivers. Distracted driving can lead to serious crashes, especially when bicycles are involved. Cars and trucks are so much larger and travel so much faster than bicycles that when collisions do occur, the injuries are often quite severe. In some cases, these incidents even lead to death. In addition to physical injuries, these accidents can be very traumatic, may result in mental or emotional trauma, and can cripple your finances due to medical bills, treatment, property damage, and loss of work.
If you have been in a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should schedule a free consultation with a bicycle accident attorney from The Advocates. Our skilled lawyers will evaluate your claim and can assist in filing the necessary paperwork to help you get a settlement for your losses.
A bicycle accident happens suddenly and without warning. In Twin Falls, these types of crashes happen for several reasons. Poor weather conditions can play a factor by reducing visibility, and many drivers fall victim to distractions leaving their attention on things other than the road. Many drivers lack awareness of cyclists or drive with little concern for their well-being. Some people even feel they shouldn’t have to share the road with bicycle riders.
Driver negligence tends to be the most common cause of bicycle accidents in Twin falls.
Some frequent occurrences of driver negligence are:
Negligent drivers can be held accountable for failing to follow the traffic laws designed for the safety of road users, including cyclists. Many occurrences of driver carelessness happen in “reduced-speed” zones such as neighborhoods and school zones or roads near playgrounds.
Depending on the severity of a bicycle accident, riders may experience major injuries. The extent of these injuries may result in significant financial losses and an inability to work. Some of the more common injuries suffered in a cycling accident include:
Being struck by a car or truck often results in broken bones (fractures). This can occur due to being directly hit by a vehicle or from the force of hitting an object or the ground. Arms, legs, shoulders, hips, and shoulders are all susceptible to fractures in a bike accident. A rider may even have broken bones in their face, hands, neck, pelvis, back, or skull. Some of these injuries can require weeks or months for recovery. It’s not uncommon for a severe fracture to require surgery(s), physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other treatments to heal properly. The more severe injuries may lead to long-term or permanent disability with extensive medical bills and emotional pain.
Because of the time broken bones take to heal, Lost wages are a significant concern for many bicycle accident victims. Even after a bone is completely healed, it will take time for many riders to regain the strength they need to return to their jobs. For a time, productivity may be diminished, and some normal activities and lifestyles may not be possible.
When a vehicle strikes a cyclist, concussions, skull fractures, internal hemorrhaging, and other head injuries often occur. These types of physical trauma could be from a head striking the hood of a car, the pavement, or other structures. All head injuries have the potential for long-term repercussions, such as chronic headaches, seizures, memory issues, poor sleep, and more.
While many head injuries can be successfully treated, some accident victims require surgery and long-term therapy. The recovery process can be very costly, may result in extensive loss of wages due to the inability to work, and can be emotionally and mentally draining.
Cycling accident victims may have spinal cord injuries. These are very severe and may leave a victim wholly or partially paralyzed. Some therapies and other medical interventions can slightly improve their quality of life. However, individuals with spinal cord injuries might not ever return to work — especially if a job requires physical labor.
If you or a loved one is involved in a cycling accident and a motorist is responsible for your injuries, you can pursue compensation for your losses from the driver’s insurance provider. This claim amount is determined by financial (lost wages, hospital bills, medical treatments, etc.) as well as physical pain and emotional and mental trauma.
Pursuing a personal injury case for a bicycle crash isn’t as easy as it sounds. Insurance companies often work for their own interests, even at the expense of accident victims. An insurer will do what they can to shift as much blame to a victim as possible to reduce the amount they owe.
Some insurance adjusters will use certain methods to avoid paying a settlement. The individual assigned to your personal injury claim might minimize the severity of your injuries or suggest you have been untruthful to direct blame at you. They will also try to rush settlements so payment is made before the life-long effects of injuries can appear.
A lot of insurance companies use these tactics so they can deny compensation. Unless you understand the legalities of insurance claims and are well-versed in Idaho traffic laws, getting a settlement is difficult.
It’s critical to contact an experienced Twin falls bicycle accident attorney who can manage the legal details of your claim and protect your best interests. The Advocates has a team of bicycle accident attorneys who know how to take the fight to insurance companies and have a history of getting our clients the financial settlements they deserve.
We do everything we can to protect clients’ interests and work to achieve maximum compensation for every person we serve.
There are several things you can do that will help you and your attorney make a solid case for compensation.
The most important thing you should do following a bicycle accident is to seek medical attention for any injuries. Do so immediately. Seeking medical attention will help address any wounds and ensures your injuries are documented by medical professionals. Your medical record is a valuable piece of evidence that proves the extent of your injuries. And, when your injuries are immediately documented, an insurance adjuster can’t say your injuries aren’t related to your accident.
Once treated, you should report the crash to the responsible driver’s insurer. It is ideal to use a lawyer’s help to ensure everything is done appropriately.
Always take advantage of a free consultation with an attorney from The Advocates. We will help you complete the process and are ready to represent you if you need legal assistance.
In the event you are unable to hire an attorney prior to filing the claim, we recommend waiting to speak with an insurer until you have a legal representative. You may unintentionally reduce your compensation because of how you answer questions or because of the information you do or don’t provide. Talking to an insurance company may result in statements used to weaken your case. An attorney can help you prevent this from happening.
In addition to assisting you in filing your personal injury claim, your bicycle accident attorney or lawyer will gather the facts and evidence needed to justify your claims. They may interview witnesses, assess medical reports, and examine police reports to create an accurate and complete picture of your case.
Fair compensation for a bicycle accident is based on a number of factors, including:
Assigning a dollar amount to emotional or mental damages is tricky. But an experienced bicycle accident lawyer can guide you through evaluating how much you should be awarded for your pain and suffering.
In Idaho, compensation claims are based on “fault percentage.”
If you lose $100,000 in economic and physical damages but are 49% at fault for your crash, you can only claim the amount the driver is at fault, which is 51% of $51,000.
Cyclists often assume they are owed compensation only if they suffer injuries from the direct impact of a car or truck. If a vehicle causes a bicyclist to have an accident or strike a structure, the driver is responsible for the bike rider’s injuries. Should you lose your balance when a vehicle swerves into the bike lane, and you suffer injuries because of the driver’s negligence, you should file a personal injury claim.
In most states, cyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks. If you are hit by a vehicle while riding on a sidewalk, the driver’s negligence is definitely involved.
However, specific rules and guidelines apply in cases like this. A cycling accident victim should always contact a bicycle accident attorney well-versed in traffic law.
