More people are riding bicycles across our state each day. Unfortunately, many motorists are not used to sharing the road with cyclists, which can lead to serious accidents. If a distracted, reckless, or negligent driver hit you while you were riding your bicycle and you suffered injuries, you have the right to recover compensation. Bressman Law can help you get it. A bicycle accident lawyer serving Gahanna can help you fight for a fair settlement that covers your medical bills, repair costs, lost wages, and other damages.
We specialize in protecting the rights of personal injury accident victims. The Bicycle accident lawyers serving Gahanna from Bressman Law can help with your case. We offer free consultations to bicycle accident victims.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Bicycle Crash?
If your accident—and the resulting injuries—occurred due to a driver’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and lost income. Despite that right, insurance companies often try to deny valid claims or offer very small payouts to victims. Bressman Law can fight these tactics to get you the fair settlement you deserve.
We will build a strong case on your behalf by:
- Investigating your accident to determine the cause of the crash;
- Identifying the at-fault party or parties;
- Compiling necessary evidence and documents to prove your case;
- Working with eyewitnesses and subject matter experts to bolster your claim;
- Calculating the full value of your expenses and losses; and
- Communicating directly with the insurance company to negotiate a fair payout.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we have the experience necessary to take them to court and see that you get the compensation you deserve.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accident attorney in Gahanna, call (614) 538-1116
What is the Financial Impact of Bicycle Accidents?
Because a bicycle is a smaller mode of transportation than a car or SUV, it might seem as if the financial impact of the accident would not be as big. In fact, bicyclists are largely unprotected from the force and impact of a collision with a vehicle which can lead to much more significant and costly injuries.
According to Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics, bicycle accidents cause approximately $23 billion dollars in financial expenses and losses each year in the U.S.
These costs consist of the following:
- Medical expenses, including emergency, immediate, follow-up, and long-term care until the injured party reached maximum medical improvement
- Lost work productivity, including the income the bicyclist loses when he is unable to return to work to support himself and his family
- Diminished quality of life, including the injured party’s inability to engage in and enjoy the same social and personal activities they did prior to the accident
Gahanna Bicycle Accident Attorney (614) 538-1116
What Do Previous Clients Say About Working With Bressman Law?
Personal injury clients our law firm represented in the past often share reviews on our client testimonials page that encourage others to trust our client-focused legal team. When they do, they leave testimonials like the following;
- Jerry F.: “David, Karen, and the staff at Bressman Law are AMAZING…David…fixed the problems, turned things around, and got us a settlement better than [we] expected. His dedication, work ethic, and heart are above reproach…you will not be disappointed and will NOT find any better representation. Thank you, David, you ROCK!”
- Bari S.: “What can I say except you can trust this firm. You can depend on Mr. Bressman to treat you with dignity, professionalism, and most of all, great care in what he does! He is thorough and effective…He was a great representative…and I recommend him and his team – highly.”
Our law firm works hard to meet the needs of every client we represent. Reviews like these attest to our commitment to providing an outstanding client experience.
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How Many People are Injured in Bicycle Accidents in Ohio?
Ohioans of all ages enjoy the fun and recreation of bicycling. Many also use bicycles as their primary method of transportation. According to Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) statistics for 2020, the average number of fatally or severely injured bicyclists is 846 per year.
ODOT found two common causes of bicycle accidents: a vehicle driver’s failure to detect the bicyclist and failure to yield the right of way. The majority of accidents occur during the day and at intersections. Fatal accidents, though, often occur in areas where there are no intersections.
When our law firm handles your bicycle accident case in Gahanna, we work hard to uncover the cause of your accident, assign liability to the at-fault driver, and fight for financial compensation.
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What Compensation Can I Receive After a Bicycle Accident?
After a collision with a car, cyclists can suffer severe, disabling, and even fatal injuries. These injuries are expensive to treat, especially if victims require lifelong care.
You can recover the costs you have faced due to your accident and the resulting injuries. While we cannot tell you how much your claim is worth without first understanding key details about your case, we can offer you an idea of the damages you may recover after a bicycle accident.
We may pursue the at-fault party for compensation to cover:
- Medical bills
- Surgery costs
- Prescription medication expenses
- Permanent disability costs
- Future medical care expenses
- Lost wages
- Long-term reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one died in the accident
- Punitive damages if the defendant acted intentionally.
We will collect documentation to prove how much your accident has cost you. We can use medical bills, doctor’s receipts, and diagnostic information to show your current and future care costs. Your employment records and testimony from a vocational expert can provide valuable information on the impact your injuries have on your career.
Some damages, such as pain and suffering, are more difficult to quantify with a dollar value. That is why we recommend that you use a journal to track the chronic pain or discomfort you experience after your accident. This evidence can help us request fair compensation from the at-fault party to pay for the suffering they caused.
How Can I Prove Someone Else Was at Fault for My Bicycle Accident?
A successful claim has to show that the other party committed an act of negligence. We can do this in your case by proving four key points:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care.
- The defendant breached this duty of care.
- This breach caused the accident and your injuries.
- You suffered actual damages as a result.
It takes extensive evidence, such as photos, police reports, witness statements, and medical records, to prove fault. That is why our team goes to work immediately, investigating the parties who are potentially liable for your injuries.
Sometimes, the driver is not the only at-fault party in an accident. Other factors, such as a defective vehicle or poorly maintained roads, may have contributed to the crash. We will use our expertise and resources to gather all the necessary evidence available to give your claim its best chance for success.
What If I Played a Role in Causing the Crash?
Under Ohio’s modified comparative negligence law, your own actions at the time of the accident can affect the potential value of a settlement. If the accident was partially your fault—or you contributed to your own injuries—you can still recover some damages, but your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation. If your percentage of fault is greater than 50 percent, you lose the right to collect any monetary damages.
At-fault drivers and their insurers often use comparative negligence as a way to reduce compensation or deny claims. If, for instance, you were not wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of your crash and you suffered a head injury, an insurer may claim you contributed to your injuries.
Our team understands how helmet use can impact your claim. We will stand up to any attempt from the insurance company to reduce the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to Act?
Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10 generally only grants you two years to file your case against the at-fault party. If your injuries required a long hospital stay and a significant recovery period at home, you may find it difficult to act before the time runs out.
That is why it is essential to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. We will go to work immediately, collecting valuable evidence, speaking with witnesses, and securing the documentation we need to prove your claim. We will handle the process while you recover from your injuries.
Call a Lawyer Today for Help Getting Compensation After a Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident can result in grave injury to the cyclist, leaving you with extensive medical bills and significant time away from work. Bressman Law can help you navigate state negligence laws, so you can recover the compensation you need to move forward. Call us today to find out more about how we can assist you if you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident in or around Gahanna.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
