If you get hit by a bicycle while you are walking somewhere, you may be confused about what comes next. Can you sue a cyclist? Do they have insurance? How does this even work? A Monmouth County pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm can answer these kinds of questions for you. If you believe that a cyclist was negligent and that their negligence caused you harm while you were just out for a walk, you may be owed compensation. We’ll help you fight for it.
What Should I Do After Getting Hit By a Bicycle?
You should start building your case right away after you get hit by a bicycle. You should:
- Call the police to the scene so that they can make a report
- Get contact information from the cyclist
- Talk to any nearby witnesses and get their contact information
- Get medical attention as soon as possible
Can I Sue After Getting Hit By a Bicycle?
If a cyclist acted irresponsibly and caused you harm, they should be held accountable. We can help you sue for damages including compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages, if you had to miss work while recovering
- Property damage, if expensive items like glasses, a laptop, or a smartphone were damaged in the crash
- Pain and suffering
We can help you go through an insurance policy or sue someone directly.
What If the Cyclist Blames Me for the Crash?
It is possible that the owner of the bicycle will try to blame you for the rash and take the heat off themselves. This can be a problem. Even if they are unlikely to convince anyone that you are solely responsible for the crash, they may be able to pin part of the blame on you.
This can be a problem. You can still sue as long as you are not seen as having most of the responsibility for the crash, but having partial responsibility can reduce your award. Let’s say you successfully sue for $10,000, but the cyclist accuses you of wearing headphones and not paying enough attention to your surroundings. They are convincing enough and you get 20% of the blame. This means that 20% of your award, or $2,000, gets deducted from your settlement or verdict and that you’ll actually only get $8,000. So it’s important to have a lawyer on your side who is ready to defend you from accusations of wrongdoing.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
You do not have to try and pursue compensation on your own. Contact the Falcon Law Firm and ask to schedule a free case consultation. We can tell you more about pursuing damages after an accident with a bicycle and fill you in on what a seasoned personal injury attorney can do to assist you with your case.
