Navigating the aftermath of a bicycle accident in Lincoln can be overwhelming, especially when confronting complex legal processes and insurance claims.
Bicycle accidents occur due to various reasons — negligent motorists, unsafe cycling pathways, and poor visibility, to name a few. The injuries resulting from these accidents can be severe, leading to substantial medical expenses, loss of income, and diminished quality of life. Therefore, it's essential to understand your right to pursue justice following a bicycle accident.
Securing effective legal representation plays a crucial role in this situation. A competent and experienced Lincoln bicycle accident attorney can guide you through the complexities of the law, ensuring your rights are protected and adequately advocating for the compensation you deserve. When it comes to proficient legal representation for bicycle accidents in Lincoln, look no further than Steffens Law Offices.
Our committed team of lawyers possess extensive experience in personal injury law, specifically in handling cases like bicycle accidents. We're here to support you every step of the way, providing the advocacy you need to seek justice in your case.
Why Choose Steffens Law Offices for Your Bicycle Accident Case
At Steffens Law Offices, we know all too well the struggle and trauma that follows a bicycle accident. Our dedicated team of legal professionals is committed to providing you the support, guidance, and representation you need during these trying times. Here's why Steffens Law Offices should be your chosen ally:
Transparent Fees
Our legal services for personal injury cases like bicycle accidents are delivered on a contingency fee basis. This means our fee will only be a fraction of the compensation we secure for you. You have our assurance that there will be no hidden costs or long billable hours to worry about. If we don't win your case, you won't owe us anything.
Client-Centric Services
We greatly value the client-attorney relationship. You won't find your case being lost amidst piles of file folders. We allocate a dedicated case manager to every client. Any time you call, the same person familiar with your case specifics, medical condition, and legal requirements will be at your service.
Accessible and Free Legal Consultation
Steffens Law Offices reshapes the traditional idea of legal consultation to suit your comfort and convenience. Whether it's a face-to-face meeting over Zoom, phone call, email, fax, or mail, we ensure high-quality legal consultation comes to you in the manner you prefer. Office appointments are not required; we refashion legal consultation to suit your circumstances.
Proven Experience
With over five decades combined experience in personal injury law, the attorneys at Steffens Law Offices know the ins and outs of the legal landscape. We are well-prepared to navigate complicated legal proceedings, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight tenaciously in the courtroom, if it comes to that.
Top-Rated By Clients
We take immense pride in our commitment to client satisfaction, a commitment cemented by a pool of over 800 five-star reviews. This is not just a testament to our legal prowess but also to our genuine empathy towards clients, careful handling of delicate personal situations, and our relentless pursuit of justice.
When you choose Steffens Law Offices, you choose a dedicated partner in your fight for justice, standing by you throughout the recovery process. Our mission is to ensure you receive the due compensation and the peace of mind necessary to focus on your healing. Let us shoulder the burden of your legal fight.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents in Lincoln?
While the city of Lincoln has made efforts to promote a bike-friendly environment, many cyclists are understandably afraid of the risks. In fact, when infrequent bicyclists were polled about what prevents them from cycling more, both speeding and distracted drivers were cited as reasons to avoid traveling on two wheels. Bicycle accidents in Lincoln and throughout the state of Nebraska are all too common occurrences, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. In Lincoln, these accidents make up 11 percent of all traffic collisions.
Bicycle accidents are often caused by motorist negligence. Distracted driving has increased substantially in Nebraska in recent years, with an increase of over 30 percent of distracted driving accidents over the past decade.
Speeding, failure to yield right of way to bicyclists, and impaired driving are also prominent causes. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure for bicyclists, such as lack of dedicated cycling lanes or poorly maintained roadways, can also significantly contribute to these accidents.
The consequences of bicycle accidents can be devastating. Given the limited protection compared to motor vehicles, bicyclists often suffer serious injuries, including fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even wrongful death, after an accident.
These injuries necessitate extensive and expensive medical treatments, possibly causing a financial strain on the victims and their families. Bicycle accident victims might also face wage loss due to an inability to work and considerable pain and suffering because of their injuries.
Moreover, these events often come with significant emotional distress and trauma, taking a toll on the victims' mental health. The physical, emotional, and financial impacts of a bicycle accident can drastically affect one's life, thus highlighting the need for rightful compensation and the aid of a bicycle accident lawyer.
If you find yourself or a loved one a victim of a bicycle accident, remember that you have rights and potential recourse under the law. Hire a personal injury lawyer promptly to assess your situation and determine the next steps in your case.
Knowing Your Rights as a Bicycle Accident Victim
After a bicycle accident in Lincoln, you recover compensation for any injuries sustained because of someone else's negligent or careless actions, and you have legal rights as an accident victim.
- Right to File a Claim: As a victim, you have the right to file a claim against the at-fault party. The claim can be filed against their insurance company if the fault lies with a motorist, commercial vehicle driver, or other entities whose negligence led to the accident.
- Right to Compensation: If the other party is found to be at fault, you may receive compensation for damages. This can include medical expenses, lost wages and income, future loss of earning capacity, and non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- Right to Legal Representation: While dealing with insurers and legal proceedings, victims have the right to hire a lawyer to represent them. Attorneys are equipped to handle complex legal situations, negotiate with insurance companies, and strive to get you the best settlement possible.
- Right to Refuse Initial Settlement Offers: Often, insurance companies might rush you into accepting a quick settlement that is typically lower than what you might actually deserve. As a victim, you have the right to refuse these initial offers and consult with a personal injury lawyer to evaluate the real worth of your claim.
- Right to Legal Action: If negotiations fail, you have the right to take the case to court and file a personal injury lawsuit. Your lawyer will present the case in front of a judge or jury and fight for justice to be served.
Being aware of your rights and having solid legal representation by your side can make a significant difference in your bicycle accident case. Steffens Law Offices, with its deep-rooted knowledge and experience in personal injury law, is committed to fiercely protecting your rights and guiding you through your pursuit of justice.
What to Do After a Lincoln Bicycle Accident
Following a bicycle accident, it's important to take specific steps to ensure that your rights are protected and you get the compensation you justly deserve. When in doubt, your bicycle accident attorney can help you navigate these steps and give you the knowledge you need to proactively protect yourself and your claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Immediately after the accident, seek medical help irrespective of how minor your injuries may seem initially. It's important to have a record of your injuries for future claim settlements.
Report the Incident to the Police and the Insurance Company
Report the accident to the authorities. In Lincoln, for instance, law enforcement would typically make an accident report documenting important details which can be crucial to your claim.
Inform your insurance provider about the accident, but avoid sharing in-depth details until you discuss with an attorney. Remember, anything you assert to your insurer can be utilized in the claim process. Avoid discussing fault or making any speculation about the accident.
Gather Evidence
If you can, gathering evidence at the accident scene can be helpful later on during the claims process. Photos, videos, and witness testimonies can significantly help substantiate your accident. To preserve the evidence while it’s fresh, record the accident scene, injuries, damages, and keep a note of the sequence of events leading to the accident.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney
Your lawyer can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf and investigate the accident to help determine the next steps. Insurance adjusters usually offer an initial lower settlement offer, leading to negotiations.
Your attorney can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair settlement considering all your costs and damages. If a fair settlement is not reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf. Proceedings will follow, potentially leading to a courtroom trial.
The legal process post a bicycle accident can be complex and lengthy. An experienced attorney from Steffens Law Offices can make this process smoother by handling all legal aspects, providing you with crucial guidance, and advocating on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.
How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
If someone else’s negligence injured you, you may receive damages for your losses. In personal injury law, damages refer to the physical, emotional, and financial impact of the accident.
These generally fall into two categories — economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages are those with a clear monetary value, such as medical bills, property damage, and lost wages due to the inability to work.
- Non-economic damages are intangible impacts, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment.
The compensation you recover depends on your damages and the impact they have on your life. This could depend on the severity of your injuries, the length of your recovery, and whether or not the injuries have led to long-term disability or disfigurement.
Consider Future Losses
Compensation is not only for current losses but also future ones resulting from the accident. If your injuries require ongoing treatment, or if they hinder your ability to earn an income in the future, these should be calculated into your compensation.
Navigating the realm of damages and compensation in bicycle accident claims can be complex. However, with the experience and proficiency of the legal team at Steffens Law Offices, we are committed to ensuring you receive the rightful compensation for your ordeal.
Connect With Steffens Law Offices Today
If you or a loved one have been victim to a bicycle accident in Lincoln, we urge you to reach out to Steffens Law Offices for a confidential case evaluation. Call us at (308) 872-8327 or use our online contact form to arrange a free consultation with our bicycle accident attorneys today. Our legal team is ready to analyze your situation, guide you through your options and potential next steps, and represent you in your quest for just compensation.
By choosing Steffens Law Offices, you will find a legal advocate committed to your cause, who will navigate the often daunting and complex legal processes, negotiate with stubborn insurance companies, and fight tenaciously for your rights. Our priority is your recovery and peace of mind, and with us by your side, you'll find an unwavering ally in this challenging journey.