We all try to avoid accidents of any kind, but in 2014 alone, Michigan saw 1,749 accidents involving bicyclists. It is important for cyclists to know their legal rights in case an accident occurs. While Michigan has a relatively small number of biking accidents each year compared to motor vehicle accidents, most of these accidents involve some form of injury and on average, 26.5 fatalities occur per year. Contact our team online or by phone at 248-458-4907 to schedule a free consultation today with our dedicated and seasoned personal injury attorneys.
Bicycling has become an ideal way to get around town, get to work or school, or exercise. Unfortunately, when bicycle accidents happen, your injuries can be substantial. Knowing what to do after a serious accident can be very confusing, especially since it may not be clear what your rights as a cyclist may be. At Goodman Acker, our Southfield bicycle accident lawyers know what you are going through and can assist you in sorting out all the complex legal issues and obtaining the compensation you deserve. Our experienced attorneys can help you with many issues, including:
Due to the severe nature of injuries typically sustained in bicycle accidents, you will need an experienced Southfield bicycle accident lawyer to assist you in getting the best possible outcome for your case. Goodman Acker has a track record of obtaining large settlements and verdicts on behalf of its clients, including:
When you are involved in a serious accident, you want to retain the help of a law firm with the experience, skill, and reputation you can rely upon. Barry J. Goodman, Esq. has led Goodman Acker into becoming a first-class law firm dedicated to representing people who have suffered injuries due to negligence or other wrongdoing. Throughout his 45 years of legal practice, Mr. Goodman has helped his injured clients recover millions of dollars to help them and their families regain their footing and get them the compensation they deserve. He does this with a great deal of hard work and tenacity.
Some highlights of Goodman Acker’s significant successes:
Need further assurance? Here is just some of what our clients say about their Goodman Acker experiences:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most bicycle accidents occur due to falls or collisions. In 2020 alone, 938 bicyclists died from accidents involving motor vehicles. These accidents are typically caused by distracted drivers who may not see the bicyclist as easily as they might see another car or truck. Poor road surface conditions or debris on the ground can also pose hazards that can cause a greater risk to bicyclists. In addition, careless drivers opening their car doors can cause bicyclists to fall or swerve into traffic to avoid the car door.
Unfortunately, bicyclists are susceptible to serious injury since they lack the protection that a car, truck, or other vehicle affords. Common injuries seen in bicycle accidents include:
Post-traumatic stress disorder or other psychological injuries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the costs of bicycle injuries and deaths from crashes typically exceed $23 billion in the United States each year. These costs include healthcare spending, lost work productivity, and estimated costs for lost quality of life and lives lost.
Working with a Southfield bicycle accident attorney can assist you in receiving no-fault insurance benefits after a bicycle accident when a motor vehicle is involved in the accident. These benefits typically include payment of:
Determining which no-fault insurance company is responsible for providing you with benefits is imperative. Michigan has an Order of Priority for ascertaining which insurance company is responsible. Our experienced Southfield bicycle accident lawyers can assist in making this determination.
First, if you own your insured vehicle, your insurance will be responsible for paying benefits. If you don’t own an insured vehicle, the next responsible insurance company required to pay benefits is an insurance company providing coverage for a relative who lives in your same household. If neither of these scenarios applies, the insurance company for the driver who struck you is responsible for paying you benefits. If that driver is uninsured, our bicycle accident lawyers can file a claim with the Assigned Claims Facility.
An Application for No-Fault Insurance Benefits must be submitted to the proper insurance company within one year of the accident. There are also deadlines for submitting expenses and filing a lawsuit. This is why it is imperative that you contact our Southfield bicycle accident lawyers as soon as possible so that we determine which insurance company is required to pay your benefits and can assist you in filing a timely claim.
To determine the value of an individual’s case, our Southfield bicycle accident attorney will consider numerous variables, including (among others) the following:
To recover damages from an insurance company, our bicycle accident lawyers must submit proof of all injury and monetary damages. Therefore, it is essential to do the following:
Don’t put your legal issues on the back burner. Call our office at (248) 286-8100 for your free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced Southfield bicycle accident attorneys so that we can assist you in understanding everything necessary to advance your legal claim for benefits quickly and successfully. The experienced lawyers at Goodman Acker are committed to investigating every detail of your unique case and providing decisive counsel customized just for you and your legal needs so that you can obtain the compensation you deserve for the damages you sustained.