Bicycle Accident Attorneys

What does a bicycle accident lawyer do?

A bicycle accident attorney is a personal injury lawyer who focuses their practice on representing cyclists who are injured in crashes with motor vehicles. Because cyclists are so much more vulnerable than people in enclosed vehicles, these are often high-stakes, high-value cases.

Bicycle accident lawyers may do all the following on their clients’ behalf:

• Investigate to determine fault for the crash,
• Review the applicable insurance policies to determine how much coverage is available,
• Negotiate with medical providers to help the client get care,
• Retain expert witnesses to prove negligence and establish the extent of damages,
• Negotiate with the insurance company to attempt to reach a settlement,
• File a lawsuit and represent the cyclist in civil court, if necessary.

An effective attorney is familiar with the specific laws, regulations, and precedents that apply to bicycle injury claims in their jurisdiction.

How much does a bicycle accident lawyer cost?

As is standard for personal injury attorneys, bicycle accident lawyers generally work on a contingency fee, which means the attorney’s fee is a percentage (usually about one-third) of the eventual recovery. If your case settles or there is a jury verdict in your favor, your attorney will be paid out of the money you’re awarded; if you don’t win, you don’t owe your lawyer anything. There are no up-front costs or hourly fees.

How can I choose the right bicycle accident lawyer?

The applicable laws and regulations for bicycle accidents vary not only from state to state, but even between municipalities in the same state. You need an attorney who knows the law, knows the courts in your jurisdiction, and has experience and a winning track record representing injured cyclists.

Most bicycle accident lawyers offer a free consultation, so it’s in your interest to at least speak with an attorney about your legal options and the potential viability of your case, ideally before you talk to the insurance company.