What's the Process If You Hire Our Firm?
We first meet with you in person (at our Long Beach office, at your home, or at the scene of the accident). Or, if it's more convenient for you, we can email you our retainer agreement to sign electronically so that we can get started on your case immediately. We then contact the at-fault party's insurance company and let them know we represent you. From that point on, they can no longer talk to you; they must talk to us.
We get you any immediate compensation for your bike and other damaged property. We make sure you get all of the medical treatment you need. If you need medical treatment on a lien basis, we set that up right away. When you are done treating, we collect all of your medical records and bills and send a settlement demand letter to the at-fault party's insurance company. They respond with a settlement offer. We negotiate to their highest number. You decide whether to accept or reject that number. If you reject, we file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
What are the Causes of Bicycle Accidents?
Bike accidents can have many causes. Some of the top causes include:
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
At McGee Lerer Ogrin, Long Beach personal injury attorneys Daniel McGee and Catherine Lerer understand the devastating trauma that can result from bike accidents. Common injuries that are associated with bicycle accidents include:
The Importance of Having Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage As a Bicyclist
When you call our office after a bike accident, one of our first questions will be: do you own a car that has uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on it? Why is this important? Because the driver who hit you may have no insurance. Even if the driver presented proof of insurance at the scene, we often learn that the policy has been canceled for nonpayment. If the driver does have valid insurance, the insurance policy limit may not be enough to cover the value of your claim.
Because bicyclists are so at risk for serious injuries or death if they are hit by a car, and so many motorists are either uninsured or underinsured, we strongly recommend that every bicyclist who owns a vehicle carry an uninsured motorist (which is the same as an underinsured motorist) coverage on that vehicle.
The uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your car will apply if, while bicycling, you or your child is hit by:
- An uninsured driver
- A driver who does not have enough liability insurance
- A hit and run driver
Like motorcycle accident victims, bicyclists often suffer serious injuries when they are involved in an accident because they are not protected by the steel frame of the vehicle around them. The more serious the injury, the less likely the at-fault party has enough insurance to cover the value of a victim's claim. That is why we commonly pursue underinsured motorist claims on behalf of our bike accident clients. You should know that pursuing such a claim will not increase your auto insurance premiums or jeopardize the renewability of your policy.
The Statistics on Bike Accidents in Long Beach, California
With the city of Long Beach actively promoting bicycling, there are more cyclists on the road than ever before. More bicyclists means more accidents, as borne out by our city's bike accident statistics. In 2012, Long Beach ranked 2nd for bicycle accidents out of 13 California cities of similar size, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). As drivers learn to share the road with bike riders, motorists' bicycle awareness has not kept pace with the rapid increase in the number of cyclists.
Should I Notify Law Enforcement If I Was Involved In A Bicycle Accident?
Involving law enforcement ensures that the accident is properly documented. The responding officers will write a police report describing what happened, including the date, time, location, and circumstances of the incident. This report can be used later to prove liability and seek compensation.
Another crucial reason to involve law enforcement is that their presence can help de-escalate any tense situations that may arise between the involved parties. This ensures that the exchange of information, such as contact details and insurance information, proceeds smoothly and without conflict.
Additionally, possessing an official police report can greatly improve your negotiating position with insurance providers. These reports are frequently used by insurers to evaluate the merits of claims and make settlement decisions. It could be difficult for you to demonstrate the full degree of your damages and injuries without a police report, which would make it more difficult to get just compensation.
What Types of Compensation Can I Seek?
After a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle in Long Beach, you may be entitled to various types of compensation.
As experienced bike accident lawyers, we ensure that you receive the full range of damages you are entitled to:
- Medical Expenses: This category includes expenses for urgent care, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription drugs, physical therapy, and continuing care that is necessary for the patient's recovery.
- Lost Wages: This includes future earnings loss as well as compensation for money lost as a result of your incapacity to work, both temporarily and permanently.
- Pain and Suffering: The psychological and physical anguish brought on by the bicycle accident, such as anxiety, depression, and diminished quality of life.
- Property Damage: Pays for the price of changing or repairing your bicycle as well as any additional items of personal property that are damaged in an accident.
- Long-term or Permanent Disability: Pays for life-altering effects such as repairs to your house or car and long-term care expenses in the event that the accident leaves you permanently disabled.
- Punitive Damages: To penalize the culprit and discourage future instances of the same behavior, punitive damages may be granted in situations where the motorist engaged in extremely careless or egregious behavior.
Contact Our Long Beach Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Contact a Long Beach bicycle accident attorney at McGee Lerer Ogrin today if you want an aggressive law firm that will demand maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Help us help you by visiting here to see some of the questions we will ask you during your initial consultation.
Contact McGee Lerer Ogrin today to get started with our Long Beach bicycle accident lawyer.
