Bike and Pedestrian Accidents in Lake Charles
Bike Accident Attorneys in Louisiana
When a motor vehicle strikes a bicyclist or pedestrian, the injuries are often serious or even fatal. This is true even when the car is moving at low speeds. Cyclists and pedestrians are at an increased risk for severe injuries since they have little protection from the impact of the vehicle. They also often suffer a secondary impact when they hit the road, sidewalk, or another hard surface.
These two impacts can cause catastrophic, lasting injuries. This may include:
- Broken arms, legs, collarbones, and pelvic or facial bones
- Injuries to tendons and ligaments in the knees, hips, wrists, and shoulders
- Injuries to internal organs
- Lacerations to the hands and face
- Road rash from contact with the pavement
- Soft tissue injuries of the neck
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in para- or quadriplegia
- Brain injuries
If you suffered injuries in a Louisiana bicycle or pedestrian accident, the personal injury lawyers at Lee Hoffoss Injury Lawyers are here to help you get the money you need. To learn more about how we win cases for our clients or to schedule a free case evaluation, call our Lake Charles office at 337-433-2053.
What should I do to protect my rights after a bicycle or pedestrian crash?
What you do in the minutes, hours, and days after an accident can have a big impact on how much compensation you can get to cover your damages later. For this reason, it is important to:
Prioritize your health. Get the medical treatment you need as soon as possible. While the other items on this list are important, they matter little when compared to ensuring you get prompt treatment for serious injuries. Always follow all recommendations from your doctor, attend all appointments, and take all prescriptions. This is important for documenting your accident injuries, as well as for your physical recovery.
Talk to witnesses. If possible after an accident, you will want to record the names and contact information for any eyewitnesses. Their testimony is often key in proving fault after a bicycle or pedestrian crash.
Take pictures, if possible. Document the scene, including damage to your bike and the vehicle. Take pictures of your injuries, as well.
Write it down. As soon as possible after an accident, record your version of the events. Start a journal where you track doctor’s appointments and pain levels, and write down any limitations your injuries cause. Document how your injuries impact your daily life.
Do not let the driver talk you out of calling the police. Many motorists will try to convince cyclists or pedestrians they did not suffer major injuries and the police are not necessary. However, if you fail to file a police report and later discover more serious injuries, you will be missing important evidence to support your claim.
Do I need to talk to a personal injury lawyer about my injuries?
Discussing your accident and the resulting injuries with a personal injury lawyer is the best way to determine whether you can file a claim and recover compensation for your losses. We can help you understand your legal options, and have the resources you need to get the maximum payout from your claim.
Getting compensation is only possible if the motorist or another party acted negligently and caused your injuries. However, in most bicycle and pedestrian cases, the law favors you over the motorist. Drivers have a responsibility to take precautions to protect those walking or biking on the roads.
Even if you are not sure you have a case, it pays to call a personal injury lawyer about your Louisiana bike or pedestrian crash. This is especially true if you think you might be partially at-fault for the accident. Even though accident victims can recover compensation if they are 99 percent at-fault, their fault will offset how much they can recover. This can take thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars off your settlement award.
How much is my bike accident case worth?
It is impossible to know the full value of your claim without help from a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer familiar with bicycle and pedestrian claims in Louisiana. Because injuries in this type of accident are often severe and permanent, you have to consider both the short-term and long-term impacts of your injuries. To do this, your medical condition must be stable enough to get a good idea of your future prognosis and how any impairments will affect your ability to earn a living, care for yourself, and enjoy the quality of life you previously had.
We can help you understand the full value of your claim, and negotiate a fair and just settlement with the insurance company. Give us a call, and we will go to work for you. With the help of your doctors, we can learn more about your health and any impairments you are suffering from. We add your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Then we then discuss your case with forensic economists and other experts who help us discover your future expenses and losses.
Only once we have a full picture of how your injuries will affect you physically, emotionally, and financially do we send a demand letter requesting a settlement for the full value of your damages.
Why should I call Lee Hoffoss Injury Lawyers about my Louisiana bike accident claim?
The Lee Hoffoss Injury Lawyers team has more than 60 years of combined experience advocating for the victims of bicycle and pedestrian accidents. We can negotiate a fair settlement in your case, or file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the compensation you deserve. And we do all this with no upfront, out-of-pocket costs from you. The only time you pay us is if you recover a settlement.
To get started, call our Lake Charles office to schedule a free consultation today at 337-433-2053.