If you are involved in a bike accident in Reading, contact a Reading bicycle accident attorney who can provide free consultation on a potential claim and help you get reasonable compensation as quickly as possible. It is important to know the appropriate steps to maintain personal safety and preserve one's rights in court.
What Should You Do Following a Bicycle Accident?
To avoid further injury, Try to get to a safe location. Ensure you are alright, and seek medical care and immediate medical attention for everyone involved.
If someone is injured or has substantial property damage, quickly inform the police. Obtain a duplicate of the police report.
Share your contact and insurance information with the other parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Make a point of noting the vehicle's color and license plate number. You'll also want to obtain the names and contact information of witnesses who observed the collision. Their testimonies might be useful when submitting an insurance claim or a court action.
Take pictures of the accident scene, including the positioning of the automobiles, the condition of the highway, and any visible bike and vehicle dents, bruises, and personal injuries.
Record the incident's time, date, location, and any other relevant details, such as weather or road conditions.
Consult with a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer specializing in bicycle crashes can assist you in better understanding your rights and choices. A skilled advocate can advise you whether or not to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit. A lawyer may increase the value of your claim by preserving the crucial evidence required to establish your bicycle accident case, including medical statements, witness testimonies, and the police file. Specifically, bicycle accident lawyers may help you recover damages and the complete and reasonable compensation to which you are entitled to your bodily harm, doctor costs, lost earnings, and discomfort and suffering.
Mistakes to Avoid After a Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle accident, some of the most avoidable yet common mistakes can help maximize your fair compensation and protect your legal rights. Some bicycle accident victims quickly disclose fault; others avoid seeking medical care after a bicycle accident unit, while others stop reporting to the police. Others negotiate with insurance companies and delay consulting a bicycle accident lawyer, often settling for much less than their case warrants.
Admitting fault at the accident scene
Do not admit fault or apologize at the accident scene, as your statement could be used against you. Instead, make factual statements and avoid any speculation.
Not seeking medical attention immediately
Although your injuries may appear minor, it is essential to seek medical care immediately. Some injuries are severe, and some may not immediately manifest. Early documentation is important, especially concerning insurance claims or lawsuits in the future.
Negotiating with insurance companies without legal advice
Insurance adjusters will want to offer a quick settlement of less than you deserve. A bicycle accident lawyer can protect your rights and negotiate on your behalf.
Delaying legal consultation
Seek legal assistance once you have been involved in a bicycle accident. Delaying legal advice will lead to the loss of important evidence or critical evidence that may weaken your case. Early legal advice is necessary to save and protect your rights, follow the legal process, and take the necessary steps to get compensation.
Who Pays for a Bicycle Accident in Reading, PA?
Coverage for bicycle crashes in Reading, Pennsylvania, may be determined under various insurance policies depending on the party responsible. Typically, multiple insurance policies would be relevant, such as the cyclist's auto insurance—if applicable—the at-fault driver's auto insurance and potentially the cyclist's health insurance.
Overview of insurance policies that could cover your bicycle accident claim
Some of the insurance policies that would potentially cover a bicycle accident victim's legal claim that happens in Pittsburgh, PA:
- Auto Insurance: The motor vehicle's driver's insurance company might also cover the cyclist's accident injuries and damaged property. Auto insurance consists of bodily injury liability and property damages liability.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: If the one at fault of the accident does not have insurance or enough insurance to pay for the damages to the cyclist, their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage comes into question, paying for the medical bills and other damages involved when the at-fault party does not have enough insurance.
- Health Insurance: Cyclists may use health coverage to manage the medical expenses incurred in a bicycle accident, including medical treatment, medical bills, surgery, and rehabilitation.
- Personal Injury Protection: Also known as PIP, auto insurance carriers often provide it. This coverage covers a cyclist's medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. Many Pennsylvania-insured motorists opt not to buy PIP, so not all auto insurance sellers offer it.
- Homeowner's or Renter's Insurance: A cyclist's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy may have bicycle accident coverage, including liability occurring in one's policy. Cyclists must be familiar with the insurance available to know where to get compensation for accident injuries and damages. Furthermore, talk with estimated insurers.
How Fault Affects Insurance Claims in Pennsylvania
Fault is significant in Pennsylvania because it directly impacts insurance claims. Specifically, Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative fault system, awarding damages proportionately to at-fault parties. The cyclist's damages will be reduced directly to their liability for the accident, provided they are partially responsible.
Navigating Through Your Insurance vs. the At-Fault Party's Insurance
After a bicycle accident, one must know one's insurance company's claim options. A cyclist may file a claim with their insurance company, use the at-fault party's insurance, or use both. Experienced attorneys may facilitate the process and help cyclists understand their rights regarding adequate compensation from insurance companies.
What if I'm Involved in a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident in Reading?
If you are involved in a hit-and-run bicycle collision in Reading or the surrounding area, you must act quickly to protect your rights and recover compensation.
Legal options and steps to take
Notify the police that you have been involved in a crash, and if applicable, with a hit-and-run car. Describe the event's specifics, including the time, location, and what happened to the other car and/or passengers. Get treatment for any injuries you may have experienced and compile detailed facts about the accident fields.
The role of uninsured motorist coverage
Suppose the guilty driver cannot be identified or does not have car insurance. In that case, your uninsured motorist provision can pay for physical accidents and property destruction you sustain in the accident.
How a lawyer can help track down the at-fault driver or secure compensation
A lawyer competent in handling hit-and-run bicycle accidents can also help in other ways. They'll collaborate with police to find the at-fault driver, collect facts backing up your story, and deal with insurance companies. On top of this, a Reading bike crash lawyer can offer a free consultation. Attorneys will walk you through the litigation procedure and ensure you get reasonable compensation. By hiring a bicycle accident attorney immediately, you raise your prospects of identifying the at-fault driver or recuperating money from your uninsured motorist provision, alleviating a hit-and-run bicycle accident's financial and emotional expense.
Why Choose Munley Law?
The Reading bicycle accident attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury attorneys realize that not all motor vehicle drivers agree to share the road. We are here to assist the victims of bicycle crashes caused by negligent drivers. Our Reading personal injury attorneys hold decades of experience in a court of justice defending bicycle wreck victims and their families. They are proudly recognized for their excellent skills and performance. Our lawyers have been named in the Best Law Firms, made the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List, and the list of Best Lawyers in America. We are a family-operated personal injury law firm, reigning and defending clients since 1959. We never charge any fees until we get your case. Our first meeting with the client is at no charge, so contact us at your earliest convenience for your free consultation.
