Riding a bike is a healthy and eco-friendly alternative to driving. Unfortunately, it also leaves you susceptible to a range of dangers. Because of the limited protections that a bicycle offers a rider in the event of an accident involving a motor vehicle, the potential for severe damages in these cases is high. An experienced Granby bicycle accident attorney can help you pursue damages.
At Claggett, Sykes & Garza, our team of experienced Granby personal injury lawyers understands the challenges faced by bicycle accident victims. We will work around the clock to get you the fair compensation required to rebuild your life. Reach out to our team today to set up your free initial case consultation with a member of our team.
Proving Negligence After a Bicycle Accident
When attempting to recover compensation after a bicycle accident, you will need to prove that another party was negligent or acted with the intention of causing you harm. When attempting to prove negligence, you must establish four things in your case:
- Duty of care
- Breached duty of care
- Damages
- Causation
Duty of Care
The first thing you need to prove in order to recover compensatory damages is that the liable party owed you a duty of care. A duty of care means that they are required to behave in a manner that is mindful of the safety of others.
If filing a claim against the driver of a car, establishing that they owed you a duty of care is straightforward. Anyone using the road has a duty of care to all others on the roadway. When filing against the manufacturer of a car or bicycle, these parties owe a duty of care to only put reasonably safe products on the market.
Breached Duty of Care
The next thing you need to do is prove that the at-fault party breached their duty of care. If you can show that a driver was intoxicated or texting while driving, that will display a clear breach of their duty of care. If you can show that the manufacturer of the brakes installed in the vehicle that struck you cut corners in the manufacturing process, that proves a breached duty of care.
Damages
Next, you need to prove that you incurred damages in your bicycle accident. Presenting evidence of any medical bills you accrued can easily show the damages you sustained.
Causation
The final step is putting it all together. You need to prove that the damages you sustained were the direct result of the liable party breaching their duty of care. An experienced lawyer can help prove causation in your case. There are a variety of steps they can take to prove causation, including using testimony from expert witnesses.
Proving negligence is often critical for recovering compensation after an accident. If you lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, an experienced Granby wrongful death lawyer can help you establish the negligence of the at-fault party so you can secure damages.
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Most Bicycle Accident Cases Settle Out of Court
When attempting to recover compensation after an accident, it is critical to understand that the vast majority of these cases are resolved through out-of-court settlements. Settling is the best option for all parties involved in most cases. However, you should always have a lawyer review the terms of any settlement deal before you accept the offer.
By taking a settlement deal, you will be able to get the money you need far more quickly than would be possible if your case were to proceed to court. One of the big benefits for the liable party is that settling allows them to avoid unwanted attention that often comes with a trial. You will both benefit by avoiding letting the unpredictable whims of a jury decide your fate.
Even though your case will likely end up settling, you still must prepare as though a trial is guaranteed. By preparing for a trial, you won’t get caught off guard if settlement negotiations break down and a trial becomes necessary. Showing a willingness to go to court will also put pressure on the opposing party and increase the chances of them agreeing to favorable terms.
The Cost of Hiring a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The most common reason that accident victims fail to hire a lawyer is worries that they will not be able to afford to pay them. While it is true that attorneys in many legal fields charge expensive fees and high hourly rates to retain their services, this is not usually the case with personal injury lawyers. At Claggett, Sykes & Garza, we work on a contingency fee basis.
With this fee system, accident victims only pay for our services if we recover money on their behalf. If we fail to get you money from the liable party, we won’t collect a penny for the work we perform. If we are able to get you money, we will charge a single fee at the end of your case, which will be assessed as a fixed percentage of the compensation you receive.
This fee structure ensures that all accident victims can afford legal aid, regardless of their financial standing. When you work with our bicycle accident attorneys, they will handle every aspect of your case, including filing all your paperwork before the deadline established by Connecticut’s personal injury statute of limitations.
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Reach Out to an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney Serving Granby Today
After sustaining damages in a bicycle accident, securing compensation from the party responsible for your losses can be essential for putting your life back together. Working with an experienced attorney will greatly improve your chances of getting the money you need over attempting to recover damages on your own.
At Claggett, Sykes & Garza, our experienced team will do everything possible to ensure a positive outcome to your case. As suggested by our name, we will never back down from taking a case to court to get our clients favorable compensation.
Contact us to schedule your free case review by filling out our contact form, using our online chat tool, or calling us on the phone. One of our experienced Granby bicycle accident attorneys will review your case details and ensure you know your legal options.
