Motorcycle and bicycle accidents can cause serious, debilitating injuries or death in some cases. In those situations where a rider is physically injured, the individuals involved and their families can suffer both emotional and financial injuries as well. Fortunately, people injured in bicycle and motorcycle accidents in the San Francisco – Oakland area have the legal right to seek compensation for both their economic and emotional damages. Such compensation could include money for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and more.
Most motorcycle and bicycle accidents involve a collision with an automobile and result in serious injuries. In most cases, it’s the fault of the driver of the automobile, not the fault of the experienced motorcycle or bicycle rider. The automobile driver may not have been paying attention or didn’t see the motorcycle or bicycle rider. Unfortunately, these types of collisions can very severely injure the motorcycle or bicycle rider because motorcycles and bicycles obviously don’t offer the same level of protection as an automobile in the event of a crash.
Once such an accident occurs, insurance companies are likely to try to reach a quick settlement with the injured rider. They know that the longer the amount of time that passes before a settlement is reached, typically the more likely it is that they will have to pay more in damages. If they insurance company can reach a quick settlement, they save money because they may avoid paying compensation for lost wages and future medical expenses that can are incurred later.
Therefore, it’s usually smart to avoid a quick “lowball” settlement with an insurance company. Although the promise of quick cash can be very tempting for a lot of people with outstanding medical bills, you may not know the extent of your medical injuries or expenses for months after an accident occurs. In addition, when many people think of the damages to which they are entitled after their car accident, they may not be aware of everything for which they could seek compensation.
In virtually all motorcycle or bicycle accident cases, the victim should hire an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can be very beneficial to the case and will make every effort to increase the amount of money the injured victim receives. The attorney knows how to investigate the accident and gather evidence (including police reports, medical files, photographs from the scene, and statements from witnesses and parties). An attorney will also have a good idea of what types of compensation you should seek, and how to start negotiations with an insurance company. The participation of an attorney on the case will signal to the parties involved (including insurance adjusters), that the victim is serious about demanding compensation. Finally, an attorney can help to proceed with a lawsuit in the event settlement negotiations fall apart.
Many people are reluctant to hire a personal injury attorney to help with the case because they are afraid of losing a percentage of their award to attorney’s fees. The truth is that in many cases, a lawyer can get a significantly higher award for the injured party than the party could have gotten alone, and that difference can easily make up for the attorney’s fees.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle or motorcycle accident in the San Francisco – Oakland area, including Tracy, Fairfield, Hayward, or San Jose, call Micha Star Liberty, Oakland motorcycle and bicycle accident attorney at 415-896-1000 or 510-645-1000. She offers free consultations and will be happy to analyze your case. Call today.
