If a car crashed into you while you were on your bicycle in New Mexico, you surely suffered injuries. As you recover from them, you may find it difficult to work, making it hard to pay your medical costs and other bills. Instead of trying to handle these expenses on your own, come to a Santa Fe, NM, bicycle accident lawyer to find out if you should file a claim against the driver who caused the crash.
When you bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault party’s insurance provider, you give yourself a chance of getting a settlement that is substantial enough to pay for your medical costs, pain and suffering, and more. To find out if you should file a personal injury claim, come to Waggoner Legal Group, LLC, for a free initial consultation with Santa Fe attorneys.
What Should You Do After A Bicycle Accident?
As a bicyclist, you can take the following steps to protect yourself after a collision with a car:
- Call 911 to report the accident.
- Seek immediate medical care, including an ambulance to the hospital if necessary.
- Take pictures of your injuries and the damage to your bicycle.
- Write down the contact information of the other driver and any witnesses.
- Call a personal injury lawyer to get legal advice.
Of course, you may be too seriously injured to take pictures or talk to witnesses. In that case, focus on getting the medical care you need, and then call a lawyer when you can. Your Santa Fe, NM, bicycle accident attorney has the resources and experience necessary to find evidence to support your case. Contact Waggoner Legal Group, LLC today to learn more.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents?
Bike accidents are usually caused by vehicle drivers, not bicyclists. In many cases, it turns out the driver simply did not see the bicyclist, often because they weren’t paying attention to the road. Here are some of the most common causes of bicycle crashes:
- Distracted driving, due to the driver texting, eating, or adjusting the radio
- Intoxicated driving
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Swerving into the bike lane
- Failing to yield the right of way to bicyclists
- Failing to see bicyclists, especially at night
While drivers are usually found to be at fault, sometimes bicyclists share the blame, affecting the compensation they get. Your lawyer can examine your case and let you know who will be held liable for the accident.
What Damages Are You Entitled To?
If your personal injury attorney finds that the driver was at fault for the crash, you can initiate a claim against their insurance company. You might wonder what damages you can include in the claim. The answer to this depends on what your actual costs are after the accident, as well as any additional damages your attorney can get you. Many bicycle accident claims include compensation for:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
Your bicycle accident lawyer in Santa Fe, NM, will add up any bills you have for your medical care and bike repairs to ensure these costs are covered. They will also look at how much income you have lost after taking time away from work to recover. Then they can consider additional damages, such as emotional distress, to ensure you’re fully compensated for the stress and hassle of being hit by a car.
What Can Santa Fe, NM Bicycle Accidents Lawyers Do For Victims?
If you want the best chance to get fully compensated after a bicycle crash, you should hire a personal injury lawyer. When you have a legal professional on your side, you can rest assured they will gather evidence to help your case, from examining police reports and medical records to collecting witness statements and camera footage.
This information can determine liability, so you know which insurance company to bring a claim against. Your Santa Fe attorney can also work on negotiating a settlement that’s right for you. If you want to learn more about how bicycle accident lawyers in Santa Fe, NM, can help your case, contact Waggoner Legal Group, LLC at 505-983-3272.
We’re not just Santa Fe Personal Injury Lawyers, we are Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyers, Las Cruces Personal Injury Lawyers, and more!
We are fifth generation New Mexicans fighting for New Mexicans.
To learn more about your options after getting hit on your bike, call our office to talk to a supportive, skilled lawyer
Contact our office at 505-983-3272 OR email us at injury@waggonerlegalgroup.com to schedule your free case valuation.
We’ll tell you what your case may be worth!