If you were injured in a serious bicycle accident, you will likely encounter significant financial expenses. Recovering compensation from the party at fault is essential for your financial stability. Fortunately, you don’t have to handle this process alone. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Encino can help you secure the fair compensation you deserve.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we have assisted numerous accident victims in obtaining the funds they need after a collision. Our skilled team has successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Reach out to us today through our website or by phone to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our Encino personal injury lawyers.
How an Experienced Encino Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help Establish Liability
To pursue damages after a bike accident, the first step is to identify who is responsible for your injuries. You cannot file a claim until you determine who is liable. In many bicycle accident cases, multiple parties may share fault. One of our experienced lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to find out who is to blame.
Commonly liable parties in bicycle accident cases may include:
- The driver of a vehicle involved in the accident
- The manufacturer of the vehicle that struck you
- A maintenance company that worked on the vehicle that struck you
- The local government agency responsible for road maintenance in the area where the accident occurred
- A third-party driver whose actions contributed to the accident
These are not the only potential parties that could be at fault. Once your bicycle accident attorney in Encino identifies who is liable for your damages, they will ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed and submitted well before the deadlines set by California’s personal injury statute of limitations.
How to Respond to an Initial Settlement Offer
After your bicycle accident, you will likely receive an initial settlement offer within a few days. It’s important to recognize that, even if the offer seems appealing, it likely represents only a small portion of the actual value of your compensatory damages. If you accept this initial offer, you may forfeit your right to seek additional compensation once the full extent of your losses is clear.
Before making any decisions about a settlement offer, it’s crucial to have an experienced bicycle accident attorney serving Encino review the deal. Your lawyer can assess your losses in relation to the amount being proposed to determine if the offer is fair. They will help you understand all relevant factors so you can make an informed choice.
Although most cases end up settling out of court, you should be prepared for the possibility of going to trial. Settlement negotiations can sometimes fail, making a trial necessary. Additionally, demonstrating to the opposing party that you are willing to take your case to court can give you leverage in settlement negotiations.
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Be Cautious When Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Bicycle Accident
After sustaining injuries in a bicycle accident, you will likely need to file a claim with the insurance company of the liable driver. While the insurance adjuster may act friendly and claim to be on your side, their true goal is to get you to let your guard down. The more you trust them, the easier it is for them to manipulate the situation and either deny or undervalue your claim.
Insurance companies are skilled at operating within legal limits to avoid paying the full value of claims. They often use various tactics to minimize their payouts at the expense of the people who rely on their policies to cover their costs after an injury. To protect yourself, it’s best to avoid speaking with any insurance representatives until you have secured the services of an attorney.
Once you hire a Encino bicycle accident lawyer from our firm, the insurance company will be prohibited from contacting you directly. Forcing them to go through your attorney prevents them from using their usual tactics against you.
Pure Comparative Negligence in California
In California, if you’ve suffered damages in a bicycle accident, your ability to receive compensation is determined by the state’s pure comparative negligence rule. This rule states that as long as you are not fully responsible for the accident, any party that incurred damages can seek compensation from another at-fault party.
However, the amount you can recover will be directly affected by your share of the blame. For instance, if you are found to be 30% at fault for the accident, you are only eligible to collect up to 70% of the total value of your claim.
This means that if your total losses amount to $100,000 and you’re found 30% at fault, the most you could recover would be $70,000.
Reach Out to an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer Serving Encino Today
To improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you need after a bicycle accident, you should hire an experienced attorney. At Omega Law Group, we prioritize the needs of our clients above all else. Our dedicated team of Encino bicycle accident lawyers is committed to ensuring you receive the financial support you deserve.
Contact us today by filling out our online contact form or giving us a call to schedule your free case evaluation with a member of our legal team. During this initial consultation, we’ll go over the specifics of your case, address any questions you may have, and outline your legal options. Also, you may want to read our client testimonials to better understand the level of service we provide.
