After sustaining a serious injury in a bicycle accident, you may face significant financial burdens. Securing compensation from the responsible party is crucial for your financial well-being. Fortunately, you don’t have to face these challenges on your own. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in El Monte can help you obtain the fair compensation you deserve.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we have a long history of helping injury victims recover the money they need after an incident. Our experienced team has successfully secured millions of dollars for our clients. Contact us today through our website or by phone to arrange a free case consultation with one of our El Monte personal injury lawyers.
How an Experienced El Monte Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help Prove Fault
To seek compensation after a bicycle accident, the first step is to determine who is liable for your damages. You will not be able to file a claim until you first identify the liable party. In many cases, multiple parties may share responsibility. One of our experienced attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain who is at fault.
Commonly at-fault parties in bicycle accident cases include:
- The driver of a vehicle involved in the accident
- The manufacturer of the vehicle that caused your injuries
- A maintenance company that worked on the vehicle that hit you
- The local government agency responsible for maintaining the roads and sidewalks where the incident occurred
- A third-party driver whose actions caused the accident
These are not the only parties that could potentially be held accountable. Once your bicycle accident attorney serving El Monte identifies who is to blame for your damages, they will ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and submitted well before the deadlines established by California’s personal injury statute of limitations.
What to Do When You Receive an Initial Settlement Offer
After your bicycle accident, you may receive an initial settlement offer within a few days. It’s important to understand that, even if an offer seems fair, it likely represents only a fraction of the true value of your compensatory damages. Accepting this initial offer could mean giving up your right to pursue further compensation once you fully grasp the extent of your losses.
Before deciding whether to accept a settlement offer, you should have an experienced bicycle accident attorney in El Monte review the proposed deal. Your lawyer can evaluate your losses compared to the offered amount to determine whether the deal meets your needs. They will help you understand all relevant aspects so you can make an informed decision.
While most cases settle out of court, you should be prepared for the possibility of litigation. Settlement negotiations sometimes fall through, making a trial necessary. Furthermore, showing the opposing party that you are willing to take your case to court can provide you with leverage during negotiations to help secure a better settlement deal.
Exercise Caution When Speaking With Insurance Companies After a Bicycle Accident
After sustaining injuries during a bicycle accident, you will likely need to submit a claim to the insurance company of the at-fault party. Although the insurance adjuster may seem friendly and claim to want what is best for you, their real aim is to get you to lower your guard. The more you trust them, the more easily they can manipulate the situation to deny or devalue your claim.
Insurance companies are adept at toeing the line of legal limits to minimize their payouts. They often use various tricks to reduce their financial responsibilities at the expense of those who rely on their policies for support after an injury. The best option for protecting yourself is to decline to discuss your case with any insurance representatives until you have hired legal representation.
Once you have secured the services of an attorney from our firm, the insurance company will be prohibited from reaching out to you directly. Making them work through your lawyer ensures that they cannot use their standard tactics against you. If an insurer acts in bad faith, a bicycle accident lawyer in El Monte can help you file a bad faith insurance claim lawsuit against them.
Understanding Pure Comparative Negligence in California
In California, if you have incurred damages from a bicycle accident, your eligibility for recovering compensation is governed by the state’s pure comparative negligence rule. This rule allows any party who is not solely responsible for the incident to seek compensation from other parties who share fault.
However, your available compensation will be directly influenced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the incident, you can only claim up to 80% of the total value of your losses.
This means that if your total losses amount to $100,000 and you are deemed to be 20% to blame, the maximum you could recover for your damages would be $80,000.
Contact an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer in El Monte Today
To enhance your odds of securing the compensation you need following a bicycle accident, it’s essential to hire an experienced lawyer. At Omega Law Group, we prioritize our clients’ needs above everything else. Our knowledgeable team of El Monte bicycle accident lawyers is dedicated to ensuring you receive the financial support you need.
Reach out to us today by completing our online contact form or calling us to arrange your free case review with a member of our legal staff. During this initial meeting, we will review the details of your case, answer all your questions, and explain your legal options. We also encourage you to read our client testimonials to gain insight into the level of service we provide.