Following a bicycle accident, many victims are hurt, confused, and have many questions concerning their legal rights and how best to preserve them. The following is a list of questions frequently asked by bicycle accident victims. This list is intended to provide you with some basic information concerning bicycle accidents, from which you can build upon through consultation with a licensed Maine bike accident attorney.
1. I was in a bike accident. What should I do?Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath of a bike accident is vital to the protection of your legal rights. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, you should follow the following ten steps:
Adhering to these ten steps will ensure your best chance at a full recovery.
2. How soon do I need an attorney?You should seek the assistance of a licensed Maine bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Crucial evidence may be lost in the aftermath of a crash if not immediately preserved. Your Maine bike accident attorney can gather evidence while it is still fresh. Witness statements can be obtained, the scene photographed for crucial physical markings such as skids, and vital evidence can be subpoenaed, including video from security or traffic cameras. Generally, the sooner your bike attorney can begin his or her investigations, the better the results.
3. Do I have a viable case? How much will I recover?Every accident is different and whether you have a viable case will depend upon the circumstances of the crash. Many bicycle accidents can be attributed to the negligence of the motor vehicle driver, whether it be failing to observe the bicyclist when making a right hand turn, encroaching on the bicyclist’s required three feet of space when passing, opening the car door into a bicyclist, or failing to yield to the bicyclist’s right of way. Each of these common causes of bike accidents are in violation of Maine law, and, as such, often demonstrate negligence on the part of the motor vehicle driver. With that being said, only your experienced bike accident attorney can provide you with an accurate analysis of your case.
Similarly, your recovery will depend largely on your individual circumstances. Bike accident victims can seek compensation for: past medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, and more. Your possible recovery will be addressed during your consultation with a licensed bike accident attorney.
It is important to note that under Maine’s comparative negligence statute, even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you can recover for the other driver’s negligent role in causing your injuries.
4. What if I cannot afford an attorney?Most bicycle accident attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you will not have to pay any attorney’s fees up front. The personal injury lawyer will not be paid unless he or she obtains a recovery for you.
5. What if the motorist does not have insurance?If the driver of the motor vehicle is uninsured, you may still have a means of recovery. If you have an automobile policy, you will be covered by your Uninsured Motorist/Under-Insured Motorist (UM/UIM) policy. This policy protects insured individuals hit by uninsured drivers while riding their bicycles or walking. Even if you do not have UM/UIM coverage, an experienced bike accident attorney can seek alternative avenues to recovery, such as through the motorist’s personal assets.
Peter Thompson & Associates: Bicycle Accident Attorneys Renowned for Excellence of Legal ServiceIf you have been injured in a bicycle accident in the state of Maine, the experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate bicycle accident attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates can help. We offer excellence of legal services to all bike accident victims, guiding you towards a full recovery. Call us today at 1 800.804.2004 to schedule an initial consultation at one of our conveniently located offices in Falmouth, Bangor, and Portland. Home and hospital visits are available statewide.