Compensation for Bicycle Accidents in NJ: What You Need to Know
Bicycling is a great way to stay active, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint. However, sharing the road with cars, trucks, and other vehicles can be dangerous, especially when drivers can be distracted, reckless, or careless. Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, or worse. These injuries can take a long time to heal and can require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in New Jersey, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries and losses.
Bicycles are considered vehicles under New Jersey law, so they have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles on the road. This means that bicyclists must obey traffic laws, such as stopping at stop signs and red lights, using hand signals to indicate turns, and riding with the flow of traffic. Bicyclists are also required to wear helmets if they are under 17 years old, but it is strongly recommended for all riders.
Drivers of motor vehicles must give bicyclists at least three feet of space when passing them and are not allowed to park, drive, or stop in bike lanes. Failure to yield to a bicyclist who has the right of way can result in serious accidents and injuries.
Compensation for Bicycle Accidents
If you were hurt in a bicycle accident because of someone else’s carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. This includes:
- Medical expenses: This includes the cost of ambulance rides, emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, X-rays, MRI scans, physical therapy, and other medical treatment related to your injury.
- Lost income: If you are unable to work due to your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, as well as any lost earning potential in the future.
- Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life that you have experienced as a result of your injury.
- Property damage: If your bicycle was damaged or destroyed by the accident, you may be able to recover the cost of repairs or replacement.
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle accident, there are things you can do to help ensure that you receive maximum financial recovery. Insurance companies will often do whatever it takes to get you to settle for the minimum amount of money possible, since that serves the insurance company’s bottom line. Bicycle accidents can be devastating, but if you follow these steps, you can help make sure you get the right compensation:
1. Contact law enforcement.
After the accident, an officer comes to the scene of the crash to prepare a police accident report.
2. Seek medical attention.
Even if you feel okay, it’s essential to get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and delaying treatment can make things worse. Not only can medical records serve as evidence in your case, but if you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company may try to argue that you were not seriously injured in the accident, or that the injuries you claim to have suffered represent pre-existing conditions.
3. Document everything.
Keeping detailed records of your accident, injuries, medical treatment, and expenses is critical. This information can be used as evidence to support your claim. Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your bike. Keep all medical bills, receipts, and other related expenses.
4. Journal about your recovery.
Consider starting a journal about your recovery from your injuries, detailing the physical pain and emotional distress they cause you and how they impact your daily living, including activities you can no longer do.
5. Avoid social media.
Avoid posting about your accident or posting photos or videos of yourself on social media. Insurance companies often monitor accident victims’ social media accounts for posts that contradict their official statements or evidence that the accident victim isn’t as injured as they claim.
6. Be careful with what you say.
Insurance companies may try to use anything you say against you to minimize or deny your claim. Be careful about what you say to insurance adjusters, and don’t sign anything until you have an attorney review it.
7. Talk to an attorney.
Most importantly, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible, before you agree to any settlement with the insurance company. Once you’ve settled, you can’t demand more money if your injuries and losses turn out to be worse than you initially thought. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal system, and negotiate with insurance companies.
Contact a Drazin & Warshaw to Discuss Your Personal Injury Case in New Jersey
Drazin & Warshaw P.C. is a law firm in Red Bank, New Jersey, that helps people who have been hurt get the most money possible for their injuries, with clients from all over the state. Our attorneys have years of expertise with bicycle accident cases. We’ll give you the direction, advice, and legal representation that you’ll need to pursue your claim. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.
Were you or a loved one injured in a bicycle accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. represent clients injured in bike accidents in Brick, Long Branch, Asbury Park, Lakewood, Toms River, Middletown, Howell, Marlboro, and throughout Monmouth County, Ocean County, Union County, and Middlesex County, NJ. Call (732) 576-8860 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3315 Route 35, Hazlet, NJ 07730 as well as offices in Red Bank, Brick, and Westfield.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
