Bicycle Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bicycle trips in the United States make up 1% of all trips in the country but account for more than 2% of the people who lose their lives in crashes with motor vehicles. Every year, more than 1,000 bicyclists die, and significantly more than that are injured. It is estimated that as many as 130,000 bicyclists or more will be injured in roadway crashes annually.
Adults aged 55-69 report the highest bicycle death rates, while younger bicyclists tend to suffer injuries that require treatment in the emergency department more often. All bicycle deaths and injuries come at a significant cost. Victims of bicycle accidents will frequently incur expensive healthcare costs, lost productivity from time away from work, and a significantly decreased quality of life. These high costs of a bicycle accident usually mean that a victim could be entitled to a large financial award, depending on the extent of their damages.
Philip B. Adams is a Louisiana bicycle accident attorney who can speak with you about your Louisiana bicycle accident and discuss your legal options for recovering compensation. When a bicycle accident happens, taking legal action for compensation can be very challenging and complicated, especially when you are suffering from painful injuries or if you tragically lost a loved one.
Attorney Adams has real-world experience with bicycles as an avid cyclist himself and can bring that experience to bear when investigating bicycle accidents and fighting on behalf of bicycle accident victims to secure the total compensation they are entitled to from all liable parties.
Contact Attorney Adams for a complimentary initial meeting for your injury case.
Recoverable Damages from Your Louisiana Bicycle Accident
Although bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head and brain injuries when an accident happens, and other interventions like fluorescent clothing, wearing reflective materials, and having active lighting can play a role in reducing bicycle accidents, these safety tools cannot completely stop bicycle accidents from taking place. Victims can benefit from an experienced attorney identifying all the costly damages sustained to obtain fair and full compensation.
Attorney Adams is devoted to fighting for the highest compensation on behalf of bicycle accident victims. This includes all of their current and future economic and non-economic losses. Cyclists should be free to enjoy bicycling without fear of injury or, worse, death at the hand of a negligent motorist.
Some of the most common damages that can be recovered in a bicycle accident injury case include
The cost of medical treatment and care in the past and present
The cost of medical treatment and care that may be necessary in the future
Lost income from time away from work
Property damage repairs and replacements
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Reduced earning capacity after disabling injuries
Wrongful death benefits
Miscellaneous intangible losses
Statute of Limitations for a Louisiana Bicycle Accident
Louisiana bicycle helmet laws require any person under the age of 12 who is operating a bicycle or a passenger to wear a helmet. It is usually recommended that all bicyclists wear a protective helmet. Still, when a crash happens, bicyclists can suffer substantial damages. Recovering compensation for such losses is critical, but there is only a limited amount of time to do so.
Louisiana’s statute of limitations for bicycle accident claims is only one year. Failing to start the claims process early can lead to a forfeiture of rights to financial compensation should the one-year statute of limitations be missed. Due to the many steps involved in the claims process, victims should consider consulting with an attorney as soon as possible.
Our Louisiana bicycle accident attorney at the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams offers complimentary initial consultations to assist you. After the signing of a contract, attorney Adams can begin gathering evidence to quickly build your case.
Speak to a Louisiana Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Attorney Adams is prepared and ready to assess your case and protect your rights to compensation. If you have questions about your legal options after a Louisiana bicycle accident, contact the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams today for a free case evaluation.