Imagine a beautiful day with the wind in your hair and the satisfying rhythm of your pedals carrying you down a scenic New Jersey road. Suddenly, a car unexpectedly pulls out, leading to an accident that upends your world. The pain is sharp, and the confusion is overwhelming. If this scenario sounds frighteningly familiar, you’re not alone. Bicycle accidents are a harsh reality for many riders in the Garden State. This article guides you through the essential steps of filing an insurance claim for a bike accident. It explains how an attorney can help you navigate the complexities of the legal process.
How to Claim Insurance After a Bike Accident
Following a bicycle accident, the initial priority is your health and well-being. Seek medical attention immediately, regardless of the severity of your injuries. Once you receive a medical evaluation, filing a bike accident insurance claim is crucial.
In New Jersey, insurance claims typically involve two policies: your health insurance and the at-fault party’s car insurance. Contact your health insurance provider to understand your coverage and begin the claim process.
Next, file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Be prepared to provide details about the accident, including the date, location, and what transpired. Insurance adjusters are known for paying victims as little as possible for claims. An attorney can speak to the insurance company on your behalf and protect your rights after a collision that wasn’t your fault.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Understanding the common causes of bicycle accidents can help you stay vigilant and avoid future accidents. Common causes include:
- Dooring. A driver opens their car door directly into the path of a cyclist.
- Right-turn accidents. A motorist turning right fails to yield to a cyclist proceeding straight.
- Left-hook accidents. A driver turning left cuts off a cyclist traveling in the opposite direction.
- Distracted driving. Drivers texting, talking on the phone, or eating threaten cyclists, increasing the risk of a collision.
Bicycle accidents may occur in many ways not included in the list above. If you suffered an accident, speak to an attorney today to explore your options for compensation by filing a bicycle-car accident insurance claim.
What Can I Recover After an Accident?
The aftermath of a bicycle accident is often financially and emotionally taxing. Fortunately, New Jersey law allows injured cyclists to recover compensation for damages incurred through cycling accident claims.
Economic damages are quantifiable losses with clear monetary value and typically include the following:
- Medical expenses. All past and future medical bills associated with your injuries, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, medication, and physical therapy.
- Lost wages. Compensation for income you could not earn due to injuries, including salary, bonuses, and commissions.
- Loss of earning capacity. If your injuries permanently impact your ability to work or earn a living, you may seek compensation for future lost wages.
- Property damage. Repairs or replacement of your damaged bicycle or cycling gear.
Your attorney calculates economic damages through tangible evidence, including receipts, invoices, pay stubs, and other similar documentation.
Noneconomic damages are intangible losses related to your accident, such as:
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for the physical and emotional pain you’ve endured due to the accident.
- Mental anguish. Anxiety, depression, or other emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Loss of consortium. Loss of consortium covers the loss of companionship, love, and support from a spouse or family member due to your injuries.
- Scarring and disfigurement. Compensation for the physical and emotional impact of visible scars or permanent disfigurement.
Calculating the value of these losses is more challenging than quantifying economic damages due to their subjective nature. An experienced attorney can help you find the proper evidence and make the correct arguments to obtain compensation for your noneconomic losses.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me?
The insurance claim process is complex, and dealing with an insurance company while recovering is overwhelming. An experienced personal injury attorney is a valuable asset in your time of need. A lawyer can assist in various ways, including:
- Help you gather evidence to support your claim, including witness statements, police reports, and medical records.
- Negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages.
- Represent you in court if the insurance company denies your claim or offers an inadequate settlement.
If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident in New Jersey, don’t hesitate to seek legal counsel. Your attorney helps by guiding you through the insurance claim process, fighting for your rights, and helping you get the compensation you deserve.
Get Help Filing a Bike Accident Insurance Claim: Contact Us Today
Accidents cause sudden and life-changing injuries. When your injuries are the result of someone else’s negligence, you may have a right to file a claim to seek monetary compensation. At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., we understand how hard it may be for you and your family to recover after a devastating accident. We help you by preparing a successful strategy for negotiating and litigating on your behalf. We aim to achieve fairness, justice, and the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us today by phone or email for a free consultation and learn how our legal team can assist you.
David Pierguidi and Jared Glugeth understand how hard it may be for you and your family following an accident resulting from someone’s negligent actions. Get the medical treatment you need right away and then call our law firm at any time of day for answers to your questions.
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