Bicycle accidents are often known for being particularly serious. Bicyclists can endure debilitating injuries that can have a lasting effect on their lives. If this sounds like what you’re going through, you aren’t alone. A bicycle accident lawyer in Detroit can help you figure out what your next steps should be.
You may be entitled to financial compensation when someone else is at fault for your injuries. A respected Detroit bicycle accident lawyer at Pazner, Havens, and Slingwein, Attorneys at Law may be able to represent your interests throughout insurance claim negotiations and in court.
Continue reading to learn more about who may be at fault for causing your Detroit bicycle accident and the damages you may be able to recover in your personal injury claim.
One of the most important tasks your bicycle accident lawyer will need to do to get started on your case is to find out who is at fault for causing your accident.
Most bicycle accidents seen in Detroit civil courts are caused when a car, truck, or other vehicle strikes someone while they are riding their bike. You might assume that the driver of the vehicle that hit you is at fault. Driver negligence is common, and some examples could include:
But drivers may not always be at fault. For example, if a part of their vehicle malfunctioned, preventing them from stopping or causing them to hit you, third parties like parts manufacturers could be liable.
Dangerous roads could also have caused them to crash. If this is the case, you might file a claim against the appropriate government agency instead. Your attorney will investigate to uncover the truth.
There is also the question of what happens if you share fault for causing the accident. Maybe you failed to use the bicycle lane or failed to stop at a traffic light, for example.
Michigan is a comparative negligence state, which means you can still collect compensation despite sharing fault. But also be aware that your award will be reduced in proportion to your shared fault. If you are ten percent liable, expect ten percent to be deducted from your final injury settlement.
Under the law, you have the right to be made whole when someone else causes you to suffer serious injuries. The various ways your life has been affected are called damages. These damages are broken up into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are monetary. Some examples include:
Non-economic damages don’t have a standardized monetary value. Some examples include:
You’ll go into great detail with your attorney to ensure that every single loss is taken into account when calculating the value of your claim. This will help to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Bicycle accidents and their resulting injuries, from brain injuries to spinal cord injuries and beyond, can be traumatizing. But you can get justice and be compensated for your suffering when you win an injury claim. Get help from an experienced Detroit bicycle accident lawyer at Pazner, Havens, and Slingwein, Attorneys at Law.
Call our office at 313-822-2244 or fill out our online contact form to get started on your case as soon as possible.
