When to Contact a Lawyer
After getting medical attention, contacting a Savannah bicycle accident lawyer should be at the top of your list. Call a lawyer as soon as you can whenever you catch a break during the accident's aftermath. This gives your lawyer enough time to start preparing for your case. They can help you get necessary medical attention and take care of things like talking to and collecting eyewitness information and police and medical reports. You should make sure you don't talk to anyone without consulting with your lawyer, or if you do, don't say anything that might incriminate you. Even the most minor mistakes can jeopardize your case. Your lawyer can give you sound advice that protects you and ensures you don't hurt your claim.Statute of Limitations
Every state has a statute of limitations on its accidents. This refers to the time limit within which you can file all your claims related to the accident. Florida has a four-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident, with a short investigation period. A Savannah bicycle accident lawyer assists you with this process, ensuring you file all your claims on time. Your lawyer will also do all they can to get all the relevant information and evidence within this period to ensure your case goes smoothly.Proving Liability
Proving fault in a bicycle accident might seem simple, but it is not. Your Savannah bicycle accident lawyer can use their experience to find and prove liability. Your lawyer can find footage of the accident from security and CCTV cameras to corroborate your claims. Contacting your lawyer soon after the accident gives them a fresh slate to work with, giving them access to new evidence.Evidence Required to Prove Liability
There is no way to get a settlement from the insurance company or the at-fault party without showing plenty of evidence tying the responsible party to the accident. Some of this evidence includes:- Medical reports and bills showing your injuries and their extent
- A police report detailing the events surrounding the accident. It is vital to call the police to the scene or file a report after the accident to get this report.
- Lost income and wages documentation: You might need to take time off work or leave your job altogether. This evidence proves that you don't have access to your income anymore and require financial assistance.
- Eyewitness statements: They can tell what happened and point out other details that you might have missed in the confusion.
- Expert testimony: Your Savannah bicycle accident lawyer can find expert witnesses who can reconstruct the accident, showing the drivers' speed and other factors that might have led to the accident.
Damages You Can Recover
A Savannah bicycle accident lawyer calculates your damages to let you know what your case is worth. This helps ensure you ask for the right amount when filing a compensation claim and that the insurance company doesn't underpay you.Economic Damages
These are quantifiable damages that you can prove with invoices or receipts. It involves the financial costs resulting from the accident. They involve:- Past, ongoing, and future medical expenses, and any emergency hospital visits
- Property damage
- Lost income or reduced wages
- Rehabilitation costs
- Physical therapy
Non-Economic Damages
These are subjective losses that impact your psychological and emotional wellbeing. Some of these losses include:- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of society
Wrongful Death Damages
Some bicycle accidents can be fatal, leaving the deceased's family members to deal with the resulting costs. A wrongful death lawyer can help family members and loved ones seek compensation for the untimely death. Some of the damages from a wrongful death claim include:- Funeral costs
- Cost of settling the deceased's estate
- Their pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of income if the deceased was an income earner