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A bicycle is a convenient way to get around and get some exercise, but when a car hits a bicycle, the bicyclist is often severely injured. Bicycles are much lighter than cars and trucks, and a bicyclist is not protected by the body of a motor vehicle, so injuries from a collision are likely to be severe.
If you are a bicyclist and got hit by a car in Macon, Georgia, you can file a bicycle accident claim to recover your losses and get compensation for your pain and suffering.
First Steps After a Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle accident in Macon, Georgia, you should:
- Call 911 and get help. Tell the responding officer what happened.
- Exchange information with the driver who hit you.
- Get contact information from any witnesses.
- If you can, take photos or videos to document your injuries, bike damage, and road conditions.
- Seek medical care immediately. Even if you think you are not badly hurt, it is important to have a doctor check you out and document your injuries.
- Contact a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
It’s best to speak with a lawyer before you have a conversation with an insurance adjuster. An experienced lawyer will know how to talk with an insurance adjuster without saying anything that could compromise your case. It’s better to leave all communication with the insurance company in your lawyer’s hands.
Investigating a Bicycle Accident
Once you’ve hired a bicycle accident lawyer, the law firm will investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your claim. Your lawyer will:
- Take statements from any witnesses
- Check for surveillance video or any other footage of the accident
- Review the police report to see what the responding officer said about the accident
- Reconstruct what happened and determine who is liable
- Check your medical records and consult with experts to determine the value of your claim
- Send a demand letter to the driver’s insurance company and open negotiations
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Negotiating with the insurance company is usually much easier and more productive with the help of a lawyer. If you file a bicycle accident claim without a lawyer’s assistance, the insurance company may deny or delay your claim or make a lowball offer and pressure you to accept it.
A bike accident lawyer will know to refuse the insurance company’s first offer and hold out for the full compensation you deserve. Your lawyer will make a counteroffer to the insurance company, and they will respond with their own counteroffer.
Eventually, the insurance company will either make a fair and reasonable settlement offer or refuse to do so. If the insurance carrier makes a fair offer, your lawyer will advise you to accept it. If they do not, your lawyer will file a personal injury lawsuit.
Filing a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit
Under Georgia’s statute of limitations, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Your lawyer will file suit before the two years are up, demanding compensation for:
- Your medical expenses
- Your lost wages and other income
- Your pain and suffering
Your lawyer may also ask for punitive damages if the defendant’s actions were especially egregious.
Your bicycle accident case will go through several stages, including the discovery phase, in which both sides share information, and a series of hearings before the trial. At any point during the trial, the insurance company may offer a settlement. If this doesn’t happen, the court will give a final verdict, and you may receive an award.
Contact a Macon, Georgia Bike Accident Lawyer Today
Joshua E. Palmer Law Firm is committed to assisting the injured in Macon, Georgia. Attorney Joshua E. Palmer has one mission: to fight for the people of this community and help them stand against the big insurance companies. If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident in Macon, contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your claim and learn how we can help.
