A large percentage of bicycle accidents could likely be avoided if motorists and cyclists would watch for one another. Unfortunately, there are over 1,000 bicyclists killed in accidents every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirms that when a crash occurs between a vehicle and a bike, it is the cyclist who is most likely to be injured. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were almost 467,000 bicycle-related injuries in 2015.
If you were involved in a bicycle accident in Detroit that was not your fault, you should not have to suffer further damages related to your accident. If the at-fault party acted intentionally or was negligent, Ben Crump Law, PLLC can fight on your behalf to recover financial compensation. Whether we negotiate with the insurance companies or fight your case in court, we can help you seek justice.
Our team of Detroit bicycle accident lawyers is ready to help protect your rights. To learn more, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (800) 761-5225 to schedule a free consultation.
Valuing Your Bicycle Accident Damages
One of the ways that a Detroit bicycle accident lawyer can support your case is by determining fair compensation for your claim. To do so, we must obtain evidence of your damages, which includes out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. For example, if you visited a hospital, required emergency transportation, or had surgery due to the accident and have documentation from your medical provider, we can help you recover these losses.
Some types of damages that may be recoverable for your bicycle accident include:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Limited earning capacity
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment
By monetizing your damages, a Detroit bicycle accident lawyer can determine an official value of your claim and base our negotiations around this figure. Insurance companies are notorious for providing low settlement offers that do not provide adequate compensation. If we are offered a settlement from an insurance company that is too far below this value, we can continue to negotiate on your behalf.
Furthermore, if your loved one lost their life due to a bicycle accident, the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you pursue justice with a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages in a wrongful death claim may include funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, loss of parental guidance, and more.
Once we have reviewed your damages and monetized them, we can begin negotiations for a settlement. These negotiations will take place after you have initially contacted your insurance company to report the claim. From there on, we can handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies involved in your accident. If we are unable to secure fair compensation during negotiations, a Detroit bicycle accident lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Detroit, call (800) 761-5225
Statute of Limitations
A personal injury lawsuit in the state of Michigan must be filed within the statute of limitations, which is an established deadline for filing a claim. According to Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805, you generally have up to three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not file the claim before this three-year time limit, your case will likely be dismissed by a judge and you will lose your legal right to seek compensation.
There are several exceptions to the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Michigan, such as when plaintiffs are under the age of 18. According to Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5851, the statute of limitations “clock” will not begin until the injury victim is over the age of 18. Once the claimant turns 18, they will have one year to file a lawsuit.
Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5853 also grants more time when a defendant leaves the state after an accident. If the defendant has left for over two months, this time generally will not impact their statute of limitations deadline.
To learn more about the statute of limitations and how these deadlines may affect your case, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today for a free consultation.
Detroit Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 761-5225
Investigating Liability and Negligence
To hold a defendant responsible for your damages, you must first prove they were liable. According to the American Bar Association, liability is proven when a defendant acts with negligence in causing an accident.
A Detroit bicycle accident lawyer can determine if negligence caused your bicycle accident by proving the following:
- The existence of a legal duty of care owed by the defendant to the plaintiff
- Proof that the defendant breached this care
- Proof that the plaintiff suffered damages
- Proof that the defendant caused the plaintiff’s damages
Essentially, a duty of care means that you should not cause an unreasonable risk of injury to others. A motorist who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and gets behind the wheel is causing an unreasonable risk of injury to others and has breached their duty of care.
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Consult a Detroit Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Detroit, the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC is here to help you seek justice. You can focus on your recovery and we will do the rest.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs. You will not pay anything unless we win your case. To learn more, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (800) 761-5225 for a free consultation.
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