Seattle Bicycle Accident Attorney

Types Of Bicycle Cases

Because a cyclist is considered primarily like a motor vehicle under Washington law, the types of cases involving bikes tracks the same type of cases that involve both vehicle on vehicle collisions but also vehicle versus pedestrian collision.

In many instances, the collision occurs because the driver failed to properly pay attention to their surroundings or simply did not see the bicyclist who had the right or way.

Many bicycle cases occur in intersections – places where vehicles and bikes meet along with other distractions.

Other types of bicycle cases include those involving a collision with a pedestrian or a defect in the road way that is not something that affects an automobile, but creates a dangerous condition for a bicyclist.

Whatever the situation, if you have been injured in a bicycle accident that involves the fault of another person or roadway defect, it is important that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Washington immediately. These cases must be handled properly from the beginning in order to insure a good outcome at the end.

Hit And Run Bicycle Accidents

Hit and run accidents are more common with bicyclists than with car-on-car collisions.

Drivers involved in a surprising contact with a bicyclist may not fully appreciate what just occurred or may panic. Also, a driver that strikes a bicyclist may illegally flee the scene. They driver may realize that they were at fault for driving under the influence, texting and driving, or otherwise failing to pay attention, and might panic or try to avoid liability.

If you were the victim of a hit-and-run bicycle accident, you have options. First, it is still possible to find the perpetrator if fast action is taken. If the driver cannot be identified, then there may be insurance that still protects the bicyclist.

Bicycle Accidents And Insurance

Insurance questions in bicycle accidents are often very complicated. It was only recently that Washington state cleared up the definition of “pedestrian” and “Bicyclist” for the purposes of determining whether automobile Personal Injury Protection applies to the injured rider. The PIP that applies to the other driver may also technically apply to the benefit of the cyclist in this situation as well.

A rider might actually have bicycle insurance (for someone who does not own a motor vehicle and have that type of insurance which covers one as a bicyclist as well.

Because bicyclists tend to incur injures that are more serious than other types of accidents, the amount of any applicable medical insurance from any applicable automobile policy must be considered along with the health insurance that applies to the injured rider.

Helping an injured person navigate the insurance maze surrounding a bicycle accident often requires an experienced personal injury attorney.

How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?

The value of a bicycle accident claim, like all injury claims, can vary significantly from case to case.

When evaluating a case, a personal injury attorney will consider an enormous amount of information, but the most important factors are:

• The degree of clarity of who has legal liability for the accident
• The nature and severity of the injuries
• The costs of the medical treatment you needed for your injuries and whether you require ongoing treatment in the future
• Whether your injuries caused you to miss work and lose income
• Whether your injuries caused any long-term or permanent impairments, disfigurement, or disabilities and
• The amount of physical and/or emotional suffering you experienced as a result of your injuries

Do I Need An Attorney To Help Me With My Bicycle Accident Case?

There are, no doubt, many cases where an attorney is not going to be necessary in minor bicycle accident claims. ny other type of injury case. Unfortunately, there is no way to know whether or not your case is one where an attorney can help you or where that help is not necessary.

Bicycle accident cases are typically complex from start to finish. They often involve arguments of comparative fault for causing the incident in the first place. Next, the injuries and medical knowledge needed in order to properly evaluate a case for value is something that only a seasoned attorney can do well. Last, the insurance interaction on bicycle cases can be complex and difficult to work through properly. Again, for these types of cases, attorney involvement is often not only recommended, but will be required.

At Wiener and Lambka, PS, we offer free consultations to all potential clients. We are more than happy to help you gain a better understanding of your claims and give an honest evaluation of whether hiring an attorney is in your interest. You have nothing to lose and much to gain by asking us to help you out by taking a look at your case.