Bikes have plenty to recommend them. They are a convenient way to get around, enjoy the mild weather and scenic beauty of Coral Gables, and get some exercise in all at the same time. Bicycle accidents, however, are often life-threatening and can tip your world on its axis in the blink of an eye. If you’ve been injured by a motorist’s negligence, an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Coral Gables can skillfully advocate with the insurance company involved for the compensation for which you may be entitled.
388CEDA, in addition to providing you with comprehensive medical care and effective pain-management resources, can recommend such a lawyer to you upon your request.
When You Are on Your Bike
When you are on your bike, you are obviously at far greater risk of being injured in a traffic accident than are any of the occupants of the vehicles around you. In fact, there are a variety of factors that leave you more vulnerable, including:
- You take up far less space on the road, which makes you more difficult for motorists to see (though they remain responsible for paying attention to everyone with whom they share the road).
- Although you sometimes enter the flow of traffic with much larger vehicles, you generally don’t have the speed behind you to keep up with them.
- You don’t have a protective shell to help shield you from the impact of an accident.
- In an accident, it’s very likely that you’ll be thrown from your bike, which leaves you very susceptible to dangerous road rash (the scrapes, tears, cuts, and burns that come from scraping across the road’s surface in an accident).
- Motorists often fail to look for and factor in bicyclists in their midst – and may not even pay attention to them in the first place. When you’re on your bike, the best way to help ensure your own safety is to assume that motorists don’t see you on the road next to them.
- Even when you’re safely in your bike lane, you’re vulnerable to motorists who fail to honor these lanes, and you must also contend with the doors of parked cars randomly flying open into your lane.
Suffice to say that when you’re on your bike, there are plenty of safety concerns that should not escape your attention.
Negotiations with the Insurance Company
Ultimately, you will file your bike accident claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. While it is true that it is the job of the insurance company involved to compensate you for those damages you suffer as a result of their client’s negligence, obtaining just compensation is not likely to be an easy task. The crux of the matter is that insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and they take whatever actions are necessary to help keep their profits robust, which can include any of the following:
- Denying your claim from the outset (in the hope that you will simply walk away)
- Offering you an early, inadequate settlement offer (in the hope you will accept out of sheer desperation – before you are fully aware of the damages you’ve sustained)
- Drawing out the claims process and/or making it so complicated that you give up in frustration
- Attempting to shift blame from the motorist who is at fault (their client) to you
- Denying the extent of the damages you’ve suffered
The insurance company is well versed at these practices, and it is likely in your best interest to give the insurance rep in your case a pass and, instead, work closely with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who has the drive and legal insight to skillfully negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Your Injuries
The injuries associated with bicycle accidents tend to be extremely serious, including the following:
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Burns, cuts, abrasions, and bruises
Any one of these injuries can cause serious secondary health concerns that can lead to the need for ongoing medical care and treatment.
388CEDA Can Recommend an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Coral Gables
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident that was caused by a motorist’s negligence, 388CEDA offers comprehensive medical care and highly effective pain management techniques that can help you recover your health and well-being. Because you may also need an accomplished bicycle accident lawyer to help you obtain just compensation for your bike accident claim, we can recommend such a lawyer upon your request that we do so. At 388CEDA, we take your physical and financial recovery seriously, so please don’t wait to call us at 1-800-388-CEDA today.
*388CEDA is not a law firm or an attorney referral service. 388CEDA does not provide legal advice, services, or legal representation to anyone including but not limited to visitors to this site or individuals/persons responding to our advertisements. In Florida, 388CEDA provides the following types of physician services: M.D., Orthopedic d Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, & D.C., Chiropractic Physicians that document and treat individuals that have suffered injuries. Results may vary and are not guaranteed. If you have any questions or need assistance, please call one of our agents at 388CEDA. We work with experienced attorneys.
