Bike Accident Lawyer Memphis, TN

Bicycle Accidents

If you were hurt in a bike accident, you might wonder if you should hire a bike accident lawyer Memphis, TN residents respect. If you suffered a severe injury, like a concussion or bone fracture, working with an experienced attorney may be in your best interest. The cost of treating a serious injury can get expensive, and a bike accident attorney may help you obtain the compensation you need.

Safety Tips for the Everyday Cyclist

Whether you ride a bike for competitive sport, leisure or as a way to commute to work, you must practice safety when sharing the road with cars. Unfortunately, vehicle drivers are often distracted and just not looking out for those on bicycles. A vehicle driver may not have their eyes on the road due to talking on the phone, playing with the radio, or interacting with a passenger. Bicyclists must be even more on guard when sharing the streets to help prevent from being struck by a vehicle.

Here a Memphis, TN bike accident lawyer answers a few common questions that a bicyclist may ask in regards to safety, injuries and whether to get legal help after the accident.

What Are Safety Strategies for Bicyclists?

Getting from one place to another safely is the goal for all pedestrians. Those who travel by foot have the option of using a sidewalk. Bicyclists do not have this luxury and must either use a bike lane off to the side or share a lane with cars entirely. The person driving a car has the protection of the vehicle body to help defend against injuries in the event of a crash. A Memphis, TN bicyclist does not have this convenience, as there is no outer shield to protect the human body if it were to be hit.

Some bicycle safety strategies that can greatly lessen your chances of being involved in an accident can include:

• Only ride a bike that is appropriate for your body size.
• Never ride without wearing a helmet that is federally approved for safety.
• Ride with the flow of cars, not against traffic.
• Maintain a safe distance away from cars that are parked, in case a driver opens their door without looking first.
• Wear brightly colored clothing and reflectors especially at night time.
• Learn hand signals and use them often while on the road.
• Be wary when crossing at city street intersections.
• When sharing the street, ride in the middle of a lane.
• Take shortcuts through residential streets when you can, to help avoid the busy traffic of city streets.

What Kind of Injuries Can a Bicyclist Suffer?

The injuries a bicyclist is likely to sustain are painful, serious, and may require extensive treatment. The range of injuries can include deep cuts, road rash, concussion, traumatic brain injuries, broken extremities, fractured ribs, internal bleeding, organ damage, neck injuries, and more. The treatment for such injuries may require surgery, bone resetting, stitches, splints, chiropractic care, and even a blood transfusion. Take aches or pains seriously and go to the doctor right away.

Do Many Riders Consult with a Memphis, TN Bike Accident Lawyer?

After suffering such a devastating and financially draining accident, many riders choose to consult with a bike accident lawyer about their rights. You may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the driver who hit you, to help cover medical expenses and loss of wages if you had to take time away from work. Keep all copies of medical treatments and bills related to injuries. Your health comes first, and you should not have to suffer at the hands of a driver who acted negligently while behind the wheel.

Different Ways a Personal Injury from a Bike Accident Can Impact Your Life

Thousands of people suffer personal injuries every year. Some personal injuries, like bike accidents can affect a person’s life months or even years after the accident. Here are some of the different ways a personal injury can impact your life.

Loss of Mobility

Some injuries, such as broken bones and spinal cord injuries, can make it more difficult to get around, as a bike accident lawyer in Memphis, TN knows all too well. Sometimes you can’t move at all and must be confined to a wheelchair. When you have limited mobility, you have trouble cooking, cleaning and even bathing. You may have to rely on other people for simple tasks.

Financial Expenses

If you suffered a serious injury from an accident, you can expect to pay some high medical bills down the road. It’s not just the initial costs of treatment you have to worry about. Some injuries require long-term treatment, which costs thousands upon thousands of dollars. For example, if you suffered a head injury, you may have to go through rehabilitation therapy for many months.

Physical Deformities

There are some injuries that cause physical deformities that dramatically change the way you look. Deep cuts and burns, for instance, can leave noticeable scars on your skin after they have healed. Deformities can make you extremely self-conscious about your appearance and prevent you from doing the things you did before. You may even be too embarrassed to go to social gatherings with your family and friends.

Emotional Distress

Personal injuries don’t just affect you physically. They can also lead to severe emotional distress. Even after your physical scars have healed, you’re still left with emotional scars. For example, if you were in a car accident, you may suffer from fear and anxiety afterward. You may even lose sleep at night or are afraid of getting into a vehicle again.

Loss of Income

If you have suffered a severe injury, you will likely be out of work for a while. This means you won’t have as much income to live on. With less income, you may have trouble paying your mortgage, utilities and other important expenses.

Stunted Career Growth

A personal injury can also affect your career. If your injury will take a long time to recover from, you may have difficulty developing your skills and moving up in your career.

Getting Compensation for Your Personal Injury

If you suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve justice. It’s in your best interest to talk to an experienced bike accident lawyer in Memphis, TN about your options as soon as possible. A lawyer can review the details of your case and advise you the best way to proceed. He or she can help you find witnesses, gather important evidence and negotiate with insurance companies.

What Makes a Bike Accident Lawyer Invaluable?

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why working with a bike accident lawyer in Memphis, TN could be beneficial to your case.

• You Can Get a Higher Settlement Amount. If you file a bike accident lawsuit without a lawyer, you might know if the settlement amount you are offered is fair or not. You likely don’t know how much your injury is worth, and you may take a lower offer from the insurance company. An experienced bike accident lawyer Memphis, TN trusts may know how much your injury is worth and can help you fight to get a higher settlement amount.
• Representing Yourself in Court is Intimidating. Going to court without any legal representation can be quite nerve-wracking. The other party’s lawyer may ask you questions to trip you up and make you say something that hurts your case. A reputable bike attorney may help you prepare for court and prevent you from saying something that may jeopardize your claim.
• Your Attorney Knows How to Negotiate. An experienced bike accident lawyer knows the art of negotiating. He or she can know what kind of evidence and arguments are important to present to the insurance company.
• You Won’t Have to Pay Court Costs. If you represent yourself in court, you may be responsible for paying all the court costs, which can get expensive. A bike accident lawyer Memphis, TN relies on may typically pay for these court costs up front and simply recoup the fees after you win. If you don’t win your case, you won’t owe any money.

What Happens During the Initial Consultation?

During your initial meeting with a Memphis TN bike accident lawyer, he or she may ask you specific details about your case, such as how the accident happened, who was at fault, and what injuries you suffered. You should answer every one of your lawyer’s questions truthfully and with as much detail as possible. The more your bike accident lawyer Memphis, TN offers knows about your case, the better he or she can help you obtain compensation.

It is also helpful to bring medical documents or other pieces of evidence that provide proof of your injuries. Your lawyer may examine every piece of evidence and determine the most effective way to represent it in court.

Contact a Memphis TN Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

Dealing with injuries from a bike accident can be traumatizing, and you deserve compensation for everything that you’ve been through. Hiring a bike accident lawyer who has years of experience handling bike accident claims can make the process much easier. If you are looking for a bike accident lawyer Memphis, TN holds in high regard, contact a lawyer at Patterson Bray today.