Youngstown has a lot of beautiful bike trails, including the 11-mile, paved Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway, plus the Garrett Wonders Bike Trail, Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail, and the East Cohasset Hike, just to name a few. Not only are these trails gorgeous to ride on most of the year, but many also connect to major thoroughfares around the city, so commuters and hobby riders alike can get around easily. Although Youngstown has many paths and bike lanes, and although cyclists are afforded many of the same rights of the road as drivers, there is still an inherent danger in riding a bike, especially when you get struck by a negligent driver. If this has happened to you, it’s important to talk to a Youngstown, OH, bicycle accident lawyer right away to protect your rights and make sure you can get compensation for your injuries.
At Joseph Law Group, LLC, we take your injuries seriously and fight for the top-dollar compensation you deserve. Our attorneys will handle all legal matters for your claim and give you advice to help you understand what to expect next. Call us today for a complimentary consultation.
What Can A Youngstown Bicycle Accident Lawyer Do After A Wreck?
A bicycle accident attorney is a personal injury lawyer who pursues compensation for people who were hurt while riding their bike. Whether you were struck by a distracted driver or you crashed because the path you were riding on wasn’t well-maintained, we can hold the negligent party accountable for the harm they caused. We know that many bike accidents happen when the poor cyclist is struck by a car, but other times, it could be the fault of the municipality responsible for maintaining the bike trails. We can file a suit against the city of Youngstown or Mahoning County liable for your harm.
Our legal team investigates the cause of the wreck, gathering evidence as we go. We use our knowledge of Ohio personal injury laws to present this evidence in a strong argument for compensation on your behalf.
Compensation You Can Claim After A Cycling Accident
You have the right to claim compensation for all your out-of-pocket losses, including your current and future medical bills, repairing or replacing your bike and other damaged property, and covering missed wages if you couldn’t go to work because you were too badly injured. Our firm often contracts advice and testimony from experts, like expert medical witnesses who can verify the extent of your injuries and their cause, and vocational or accounting experts who clarify the financial impact of the accident on your livelihood.
You are also eligible to demand non-economic compensation for your emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. We negotiate a fair settlement for you; if we cannot, we’re fully prepared to go to trial to achieve justice.
Skilled Attorneys Fighting For You
If you have been hurt in a bike accident, whether it involved another person or was due to negligence on the part of an entity, a Youngstown bicycle accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. We want to help you. Contact Joseph Law Group, LLC, today for a free consultation.
Essential Evidence For A Bike Accident Claim
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, gathering solid evidence is vital to building a strong personal injury claim. The evidence you collect will help prove liability, show the extent of your injuries, and support your case for compensation. While it can be overwhelming to deal with the aftermath of an accident, knowing what evidence you need and how to collect it can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Since 2003, our Youngstown, OH bicycle accident lawyer at Joseph Law Group LLC, has been solely focused on representing injury victims. We will craft a winning legal strategy on your behalf. Schedule a free consultation to learn more.
Documenting The Accident Scene
One of the first things you should do after a bicycle accident is to document the scene. As soon as possible, take clear photos of the location, including the position of your bike, any vehicles involved, and the surrounding area. These photos will serve as proof of where the accident occurred and the conditions at the time.
Pay attention to relevant details such as road signs, streetlights, weather, and the condition of the road. Skid marks, debris, or any other signs of the crash can also be helpful in showing how the accident unfolded. If possible, note the time of day and lighting conditions, as this information can be important in determining fault.
Witness Statements
Witnesses can play an important role in supporting your personal injury lawsuit. If anyone observed the accident, try to get their contact information. Witness statements can provide an unbiased account of what happened and help clarify details. Ask witnesses if they are willing to give written or recorded statements about what they saw. Their testimony can strengthen your case, especially if there’s any dispute about how the accident occurred.
If the accident took place in a busy area or near a public space, there may be other potential witnesses who can provide valuable insight. Don’t hesitate to approach bystanders who may have seen the incident unfold.
Police Report
A police report is often a vital piece of evidence in any accident case. If law enforcement responds to the scene, they will typically file a report, which includes information about the accident, the parties involved, and their assessment of the situation. The officer may also issue a citation to the at-fault driver, which can strengthen your claim.
If no police officer arrived at the scene, make sure to file a report with the local authorities as soon as possible. A formal report helps create an official record of the accident, which can be essential when pursuing a claim.
Medical Records
After an accident, seeking medical attention should be a priority, even if you don’t feel injured right away. Sometimes, injuries from a bike accident don’t show symptoms immediately. Having medical records to document your injuries is vital to your case. These records will outline the treatment you received, the severity of your injuries, and how they have affected your life.
Doctors’ reports, diagnostic tests, and prescription records will provide the necessary evidence of the injury’s impact. The more detailed the medical documentation, the better. This evidence is imperative for calculating the compensation you deserve for medical expenses and long-term care needs.
Bicycle And Vehicle Damage
Photographs of any damage to your bike and the other vehicle involved can provide strong evidence for your claim. Take pictures of the damage to your bicycle, including any broken or bent parts. If you are able to, keep your bike in its damaged condition until a professional can assess it. This will be valuable in proving the impact of the accident.
Similarly, if a motor vehicle was involved, document the damage to the car or truck as well. Photos showing the point of impact can help establish how the accident occurred. Make sure to record the make, model, and license plate number of the vehicle, as well as any damage sustained.
Surveillance And Dashcam Footage
If the accident occurred in an area with traffic cameras, there may be footage of the incident. Traffic cameras can provide unbiased evidence of what happened and who was at fault. In some cases, nearby businesses may also have security cameras that recorded the accident or the moments before and after.
If either you or the other driver had a dashcam in their vehicle, footage from that device can be an essential part of your claim. Video footage can show exactly how the accident unfolded and whether you followed Ohio bike laws, making it much harder for the at-fault party to dispute their liability.
Professional Testimonies And Medical Opinions
If your injuries are severe or ongoing, professional opinions may be necessary to fully illustrate the impact of your accident. Medical specialists, such as orthopedic surgeons or neurologists, may need to assess the long-term effects of your injuries. Their professional testimonies can help explain how the accident will affect your future medical care, your ability to work, and your quality of life.
Additionally, accident reconstruction specialists may be needed in certain cases to recreate the accident and establish how the crash occurred. Our Youngstown bicycle accident lawyer may leverage this testimony to provide critical insight into the sequence of events, especially in complicated cases where burden of proof and convincing a jury of liability are factors.
Documenting Lost Wages And Lifestyle Impact
Injuries sustained in a bicycle accident may prevent you from working or performing daily tasks. It’s important to keep records of any lost wages due to missed work. A letter from your employer confirming your time off and lost income can be valuable.
Also, consider documenting how the injury affects your daily life. If you can no longer perform household chores, engage in hobbies, or enjoy certain activities, keep track of these limitations. These details will help demonstrate the long-term impact of your injuries, which may be important when calculating damages for pain and suffering.
Moving Forward With Your Claim
Gathering the right evidence after a bicycle accident is essential for building a strong case. Photographs, witness statements, medical records, and damage reports will all play a role in demonstrating the extent of your injuries and the other party’s fault. If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, it’s important to start collecting this evidence as soon as possible and consult with our experienced Youngstown bicycle accident lawyer immediately. We can help guide you through the legal process, properly present your evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve. At Joseph Law Group, LLC, we don’t charge a fee unless we cover damages. Call now to set up a case evaluation. Let our team eliminate your worry and ease your mind so you can focus on healing.
