Carbondale Bicycle Accident Lawyer

You never know when a careless driver might hit you while you’re riding your bike, so who should you turn to if it happens to you? Turn to the lawyers at Morelli Law and our team of Carbondale personal injury attorneys.

We can file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the people who harmed you and your bicycle. Get compensation for what happened to you by contacting our offices for a free consultation. Our Carbondale bicycle accident lawyers will explain your legal options and how we can help you.

What Damages Could I Collect From My Bicycle Accident?

The losses you’ve suffered because of your accident are called damages. A lawsuit or an insurance claim is a demand for payment for those damages. Most bicycle accidents will have economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are any costs you’ve suffered with a provable dollar amount. They include your medical bills, lost wages, bicycle repair or replacement, and similar costs. Save all of your bills and receipts after your accident. With our help, you can get them fully reimbursed if you win your case, including expenses you may need to pay in the future.

You can also receive non-economic damages like pain and suffering. These cover the costs of intangible harm caused by your accident. These can be worth much more than your economic damages, but it takes a skilled bicycle accident lawyer in Carbondale to argue for their maximum value. With over $1 billion secured for clients, we’re the team to trust to maximize your compensation.

Wrongful Death Damages

Cyclists have little protection from the force of a crash. Fatalities are much more likely. If you’re reading this, it’s possible you may have lost a loved one in a bicycle accident. You may be able to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf with our help.

You can claim wrongful death damages like funeral and burial expenses, final medical expenses, and other damages unique to wrongful death claims. Speak with us immediately if you’re in this situation, as there are special laws about who can bring these claims and what you can claim for damages.

Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Finding the cause of a bicycle accident is key to determining whose fault it was. Common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Driver inattention
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Inexperienced driving
• Failure to yield
• DUI
• Inattention
• Loose manhole covers
• Breaking traffic laws
• Rideshare drivers blocking bike lanes
• Road defects
• Mechanical failures

To win a claim, we must prove that the other side did something that put you in danger of an accident. Our attorneys will perform a thorough investigation to figure out the cause of your accident. From there, we’ll know if you have a case and who the defendants are.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

You could lower the value of your case if you don’t take care of yourself after your accident. Here are the steps to follow:

Contact the Police

Contact the police at the scene if you can, but you may have been taken to the hospital immediately after the accident. File a report yourself by contacting the police or going to the station so they can investigate the accident.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention Even if You Feel Fine

If you feel fine after an accident, don’t trust it. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Carbondale have seen many cases where injuries appeared days after a crash. Once the shock and adrenaline go away, the pain comes.

A doctor can discover hidden injuries and keep you from hurting yourself further because you feel fine. A visit will also create a record of your injuries and, if done quickly, will keep an insurer from saying something else caused your injuries.

Document What Happened

If it’s possible for you to do so, document the accident scene by taking photographs of what happened. You can call a friend to help you do this. Do it before the police clean the scene up. It doesn’t matter who takes the photos as long as you can access them afterward.

Also, if there were any witnesses, get their contact information. Do not question them about what they saw beyond if they saw anything, and do not ask them about fault. Your lawyer can depose them properly to strengthen your case.

Don’t Talk About Your Case

Anything you post on social media or tell others about your case can be used against you in court, not by the judge and jury, but by the insurers. If you tell someone you’re feeling a little better, and an insurance adjuster talks to them later, they could twist that statement against you.

If you have already posted, don’t remove them until you’ve spoken with a Carbondale bicycle accident lawyer. Removing them could make your situation look worse.

Seek Legal Advice

The legal aftermath of any accident can leave you confused on top of the pain of your injuries. You need a skilled professional on your side who can guide you through the process and ensure your rights are protected. That’s why personal injury lawyers exist.

Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible can help your case immensely. They can act quickly to preserve evidence before it’s gone, like camera footage. They can also keep the insurers from forcing you to take an offer that’s too low. Best of all, the sooner you call one, the sooner you can get paid the most for your accident.

Contact Morelli Law in Carbondale, IL

Don’t let a negligent driver get away with causing a bicycle accident. Bicyclists have the same rights to the road as car drivers. Make sure you get compensation for your injuries by contacting the team of Carbondale bicycle accident lawyers with the experience and record of success you need.

To get a free consultation with Morelli Law, contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment anytime. If you cannot come to us because of your injuries, we can come to you or schedule a video teleconference.