Bicycle Accident Lawyer Salt Lake City UT

Bicycle Accident Lawyer Salt Lake City UT

Whether you’ve been rear-ended, hooked, doored, or T-boned, a skilled bicycle accident lawyer Salt Lake City UT offers would like to hear your story. Bike riding should be an enjoyable time; however, with the rise in car traffic and shortage of bike lanes, accidents are increasing. Rasmussen & Miner are experienced lawyers who understand the complexities and details that surround personal injury and bike accidents.

As a bicycle accident lawyer Salt Lake City UT respects, we know how physically, emotionally, and financially debilitating an accident can be. Using our experience, skills, and determination, we stand with our clients and fight for justice.

Determining Whether Your Injury Requires a Lawyer’s Assistance

You are likely entitled to receive compensation if another person or entity’s negligence was either partially or totally responsible for the harm that was caused when your bicycle was hit. As there are many ways to go about receiving compensation, you might wonder whether your case requires the assistance of a Salt Lake City, Utah bicycle accident lawyer. The following are some factors that you may want to consider when determining whether or not to contact Rasmussen & Miner.

How Severe Is the Injury?

If you were hit by a car while riding your bike, but the car was going at turtle speed so you only received a few bumps and bruises, you may not have suffered injuries that are severe enough to warrant filing legal action, as your settlement is likely to be very, very minimal. Damages are meant to compensate you for the harm you’ve suffered, so if you’ve only received a few scrapes and bruises, the value of your settlement is likely to be very, very minor. However, most bicycle accidents result in more than scrapes and bruises. If you’ve received a significant injury in any sense, it’s worth exploring your legal options with the assistance of a Salt Lake City, UT bicycle accident lawyer. 

What Is Your Outlook for Future Medical Treatment?

If your doctor is certain there will be no future medical treatment required, you may not have to involve an attorney because there will be no complicated future costs to consider. If your doctor is unsure, or if you have a condition that is now irreversible and requires future care, a Salt Lake City, UT bicycle accident lawyer can help you get compensation to support your future life as well as your present life.

Does the At-Fault Party Have Insurance?

Whether the answer to this question is “yes” or “no,” your situation may still require the assistance of an attorney. For example, if the at-fault party does not have insurance, you’ll probably find yourself filing a lawsuit against him or her to receive compensation. Our firm help you do that. If the other party does have insurance, the provider may try to downplay your injuries and offer a lower settlement than you deserve. A Salt Lake City, UT bicycle accident lawyer can help you fight to get what you actually deserve out of the insurance company.

Avoiding Bike Accidents 

For many people, bicycles serve as a primary form of transportation, especially in urban areas where traffic is heavy. Many people choose to ride a bike to work every day instead of driving a vehicle or taking public transportation. It’s easy to see why cycling is becoming increasingly popular. There are so many benefits associated with riding a bike. The physical effort is takes is good exercise. Cycling is cost-effective and doesn’t contribute to society’s carbon footprint. However, despite these benefits, there are some substantial dangers associated with bike riding as well. Even though bike riding makes up only one percent of the mode of travel for Americans, there is a disproportionately significant number of bike accident deaths and injuries annually as compared with the frequency of accidents stemming from other modes of transportation. 

If you’ve recently suffered as a result of a bicycle accident, know that you’re not alone. Call an experienced Salt Lake City, Utah bicycle accident lawyer at Rasmussen & Miner to find out what your legal options are and to get the information you need to make an informed decision about which option is best for you and your family.

Bike Accident Stats

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 1,000 bike riders killed every year in this country in bike accidents. Another 450,000 riders sustain injuries. Many of these injuries are serious and even catastrophic because there is nothing that protects the cyclists from the impact of a large vehicle hitting them. It is estimated that in one year, the cost of medical care and loss of work hours for bike accident injuries costs approximately $10 billion, just in the United States. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to contact an experienced Salt Lake City, UT bicycle accident lawyer in the wake of an accident. Seeking compensation from the motorist who hit you and/or their insurance company can help you to manage some of the financial losses you’ve likely suffered and will continue to suffer in the wake of your crash. 

What Can Cyclists Do?

If you are a cyclist, there are some precautions you can take to help minimize the risk of being injured in a crash. Safety advocates recommend that all cyclists wear their helmets, even if they are only traveling a short distance away. About half of all fatal bike accident victims were not wearing helmets when they were killed. Helmets do save lives.

Ideally, cyclists should not ride at night, however, there are times that it is necessary to do so. If you do need to travel on your bike at night, make sure that you are wearing brightly colored clothing. You also want to make sure to have reflectors on your bike, as well as a headlight to illuminate what is in front of you and a flashing rear light to alert vehicle drivers that you are traveling on the road with them. The more visible you are, the safer you are.

Just like vehicle drivers, bike riders are required to follow all traffic laws. Stop at all traffic lights and signs. Always signal when you are turning. Stay in your line and always driver with the flow of traffic, not against. It is also important to obey speed limit laws, even if you are physically capable of traveling faster.

Note that you do have legal options available to you even if you weren’t behaving very safely when you were hit. Our Salt Lake City, UT bicycle accident lawyer team will clarify whether any negligence on your part may impact a potential settlement, but you’ll still almost certainly be able to seek compensation as a motorist has a greater responsibility to drive responsibly than you did as a cyclist. Don’t wait; call our Salt Lake City, UT bicycle accident lawyer team today to explore your options. 

Seeking Medical Treatment Following a Bicycle Accident

In the minutes following an accident, the pain or injuries you have suffered may not immediately show up. It’s completely normal to be in a state of shock, especially if you have just been hit by a car when riding your bicycle. When faced with an accident, the brain’s natural response is to release endorphins to the body that may make it difficult to identify pain. Although some situations may call for immediate medical attention, others may leave you thinking you are fine to resume your day. There are a number of key reasons to seek medical treatment following a bicycle accident:

Immediate Treatment for Injuries

Some cases may require an ambulance to arrive at the scene, this often occurs when injuries are apparent following the accident. In some cases, you may choose to go to the hospital for care on your own. Seeking immediate treatment is important in making sure that you receive the proper medical attention for your injuries. In some cases, you may not even be aware of an injury you have suffered.

Your Injuries May Not Show Up Immediately

Following an accident, your body responds by pumping you full of adrenaline. This can help to mask the pain you may be experiencing. As a result, many accident victims may find that they have been injured in the days following the accident. Even if you don’t think you have been injured after an accident, it’s always a good idea to seek a medical professional. If you did not go to the hospital after the accident, see your provider as soon as possible.

Rule Out Other Injuries

A medical professional can help to rule out other injuries and ensure that you get the most comprehensive care possible. Chances are you may not be aware of an underlying problem. When the internal organs have been injured, you may be completely unaware. A doctor can carefully assess your injuries, gather details regarding the accident, and determine if further testing and assessment are needed. A doctor may play a key role to ruling out injuries that have yet to present themselves.

For Evidence Purposes

Not only is medical treatment key to getting the help you need following a car accident, it can also help in proving your case should you pursue a personal injury claim. A medical professional can provide you with documentation that can help to prove your case. Generally, this comes in the form of documentation from the doctor, in addition to the medical bills your medical visits have generated. Your medical records can clearly outline the injuries you have sustained and the limitations you may experience as a result. This will be one of the first pieces of evidence your bicycle accident lawyer will look to gather when an accident has occurred.

If you have been in an accident, it’s important to not only seek medical treatment but also a bicycle accident lawyer. If you were hit by a motor vehicle, the driver may be at fault for the accident. Don’t let the ability to collect damages for your injuries and losses pass you by. Contact a bicycle accident lawyer for their guidance in moving forward with your case.

Can A Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Salt Lake City UT Help?

If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, you’ve probably got plenty of related issues to deal with, which may greatly exceed your physical pain. When you turn to a bicycle accident lawyer Salt Lake City UT cyclists trust, you can feel peace of mind in knowing that he or she may be able to assist in the following:

• Communicating with insurance companies
• Resolving medical bills
• Prove liability and/or negligence
• Resolving property damage claims
• Resolving liability disputes through negotiation
• Evaluating the value of the claim
• Negotiating to obtain the maximum settlement value
• Prevent or resolve bills that have gone into collections

Most Common Bike Accident Claims

A bicycle accident lawyer in Salt Lake City UT may see a number of different claims, each with their own respective circumstances and factors. Although every case is unique, many of them stem from a motorist or manufacturer fault. Some examples of these may include:

• Motorist hitting a cyclist through a sideswipe or rear collision
• Motorist turning right or left in front of a cyclist
• Motorist opening their door and hitting an oncoming cyclist
• Motorist losing control of their car
• Bicycle equipment failure

The Five Step Process of Filing a Bicycle Claim

Should you have a legitimate claim, a top bicycle accident lawyer Salt Lake City UT can provide should follow a basic process to ensure your case is taken care of in a timely manner. Below is a general process of bike accident claims:

Step 1: Identifying Facts Your lawyer may asses the facts of your case including any evidence, medical records, police reports, and witness statements.

Step 2: Identifying the Negligent Party If not already done, your lawyer may try to determine who is at fault. This could include a split fault between you and a motorist, or the complete fault of another party.

Step 3: Analyzing All Potential Routes of Compensation In certain cases, a bicycle accident lawyer Salt Lake City UT respects may determine all possible routes of receiving damages. For instance, he or she may look to see if the motorist was driving on the behalf of an employer, or if the roads were inappropriately blocked by an object.

Step 4: Negotiations Once your case has been filed, there may be a point when your lawyer aims to negotiate with any involved insurance companies on your behalf.

Step 5: Reaching a Settlement Eventually, your lawyer will try to reach a fair settlement between all responsible parties including the insurance companies. If this is not possible, a lawsuit may be filed.

Choosing Rasmussen & Miner for Your Salt Lake City UT Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Although a bicycle accident claim is a type of personal injury, it may require further knowledge of cycling traffic laws, prejudice against cyclists, and bike manufacturers. For this reason, you should entrust your case to a bike accident lawyer in Salt Lake City UT. The law firm of Rasmussen & Miner is equipped with the right skills, and we relentlessly defend our clients. We are dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for the justice you deserve. To discuss your case with a bicycle accident lawyer Salt Lake City UT cyclists trust, call our office today.