Automobile accidents involving bicycles happen more often than you might think. These types of accidents occur because of a variety of reasons such as road hazards, distracted driving, carelessness, and product defects. If you are involved in a bicycle accident, it is important to seek legal counsel immediately. The Law Offices of d’Oliveira and Associates, P.C., are prepared to help if you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident.
We understand that a bicycle accident can be confusing. First, get medical help. Then, if you are able, it is important to take the right steps to get the help that is needed in order to get the compensation that you deserve.
If you are involved in a bicycle accident, follow the steps below to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights.
It is important to make sure that you call the police and wait for them to arrive to the accident scene. Even if your injuries are minor, you need to file a police report. You may not realize the full extent of your injuries until hours or even days after the accident.
While you are waiting for the police to arrive, do not talk with the driver except to get contact and insurance information. It is unnecessary to try and get the driver to admit fault. Let the police handle all interactions.
Make sure that you tell the police the details of what happened in your own words. It is also important to mention injuries to the police officer.
Be cooperative and remember that a police report may aid in your case.
Get as much information from the driver as possible.
This includes name, phone number, car make and model, insurance information and driver’s license information.
If any witnesses are present, try to get names and phone numbers as well as any other important information that they might offer.
Take note of all information that you can remember. This includes details about the accident, road conditions, injuries that occurred, and anything else that may be helpful.
It is important that you also take care to preserve accident evidence. This may include pictures of injuries and damage to your bike or equipment.
Get the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.
An injury attorney will be able to advise you on the next steps as well as answer your questions and address your concerns.
Your attorney will also be able to communicate with the insurance company and represent you in court.
You should not attempt to try to handle a complex legal issue such as a bicycle accident on your own!
The Law Offices of d’Oliveira and Associates, P.C., are prepared to help if you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident. Email us or call now for FREE case evaluation. For your convenience, our telephones are answered 24 hours a day and 7 days a week (1-800-992-6878). CALL NOW.
Many people enjoy the winter season. As wintertime begins to come into view, excitement is abounding. The cold weather often is associated with holiday celebrations, winter sports, and beautiful snow. Outdoor activities such as sledding, snowboarding, skiing, or merely enjoying nature on a on a winter morning after a snowfall are plentiful during this season. The winter months should be enjoyed by all those individuals who experience them.
However, along with the winter weather also comes icy pathways, walkways, driveways and roads. A "slip and fall" is the generic term used by lawyers for an injury that occurs when someone slips, trips, or falls. Typically, such accidents and resulting injuries occur as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else's property. During the winter, particularly, people must be cautious of the paths that they are walking. Many times black ice is hidden and cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Although slip and falls may be considered more frequent during the winter months when ice likely increases the incidence of accidents, they can occur at any time and in any place. Common areas where slip and falls may occur include a city park, an acquaintance’s home, a store isle, a parking lot, and/or sidewalks.
Multiple parties may be responsible for slip and falls on commercial properties. The owner, renter or managing company of the premises may all be liable parties. Commercial properties include stores, restaurants, hotels and other businesses. Business owners/renters owe a certain duty of care to the public, as all members of the public are invited guests onto the premises.
The government has more legal protection from slip and fall liability, such as on a city sidewalk or public park, when compared to home or business owners. However, the government still may be held liable if a person is injured and that person meets certain criteria.
Every year over 1,000,000 accidents are the result of slip and falls. Slip and fall accidents can have serious consequences. Injuries resulting from slip and falls may include broken or fractured bones, spinal cord injuries, head and brain injuries, paralysis, permanent disability and death.
Hopefully most property owners will take the requisite precautions to minimize the possibility of slip and falls. In the winter, this may consist of utilizing ice-melting solutions, proper plowing of sidewalks and roadways, and other techniques to ensure clear driveways, walkways and roads. However, if a slip and fall accident does occur, the person responsible for the dangerous conditions should be held liable for any consequent injuries. Innocent slip and fall victims should not have to bear the burden of their injuries, which could have been prevented by a landowner.