College Park Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Experienced College Park Bike Crash Attorneys

Having an experienced attorney matters in Maryland, where contributory negligence laws can prevent recovery if you’re found even slightly at fault. Insurance companies often try to exploit this law by shifting blame to injured cyclists. Our attorneys know how to counter these tactics, thoroughly investigating your accident and building a strong case that protects your interests. With Regan Zambri Long’s proven results and decades of experience representing injured cyclists, you can focus on healing while we manage your legal claim.

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$20M Brain Injury Verdict

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$16M Premises Liability Settlement

$15.2M Wrongful Death Settlement

$15.2M Wrongful Death Verdict

$15M Medical Malpractice Settlement

$14M Personal Injury Settlement

$14M Car Accident Settlement

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Immediate Steps After a College Park Bicycle Accident

Taking the right steps immediately after a College Park bicycle accident is important. The actions you take can make a significant difference in your recovery and your personal injury claim. For the best possible outcome in your case, follow these steps after a bike accident:

Seek medical attention immediately. Even if your injuries seem minor at first, any underlying trauma may not be immediately apparent. That is why seeking prompt medical attention after a bike accident is critical. In addition to treating any injuries, these medical records serve as a key piece of evidence in proving the nature and extent of your injuries immediately after the bike accident.
Contact law enforcement. The police report is an important record of your bike accident. Contact law enforcement to obtain a copy of the report and keep it in a safe place. This report provides an official record of your accident, serving as critical evidence for both insurance and legal claims.
Preserve documents. Documentation is important in all personal injury cases, serving as crucial evidence of the accident and the injuries sustained. Obtain copies of all doctor visits, medical evaluations, prescription medications, treatments, follow-up medical appointments, and all of the receipts for this care. Keep these documents in a safe and secure place to preserve this important evidence for your case.
Document all insurance communications. When dealing with insurance companies, only provide factual information about the accident and avoid speculative statements. Keep detailed records of all communications, including dates, times, and names of adjusters you speak with. Never accept an initial settlement offer – these are typically much lower than you deserve. Instead, consult with a bike accident lawyer before agreeing to any settlement terms.
Common mistakes to avoid. After a bike accident include delaying medical treatment and not documenting the accident scene with photographs. Other mistakes are not obtaining the contact information from any witnesses to the accident and discarding the broken bicycle or damaged clothing, both of which serve as physical evidence of the accident. Posting on social media about the accident is also a mistake, as is accepting an initial low settlement offer without first consulting with a bike accident lawyer.

Contact Regan Zambri Long for immediate guidance on protecting your rights.

Your Rights as an Injured Cyclist in College Park

Understanding your rights as an injured bicyclist is essential when you are pursuing a personal injury claim. In Maryland, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. Helmets are required for cyclists under the age of 16, and bicyclists must ride in designated bike lanes when available. In Maryland, motorists are required to give at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist on the road.

Liability must be established in order to file a personal injury claim, which involves proving that another party’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident. In Maryland, accident victims have three years from the time of the accident to file a claim. Missing this legal deadline could result in losing the right to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Insurance coverage for bicycle accidents varies depending on the type of coverage. Automobile insurance policies may cover a bicycle accident if a motor vehicle is involved. The victim’s health insurance coverage may help with immediate medical expenses. In cases where the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply.

Understanding your rights is important. Schedule a free consultation with our experienced bicycle accident attorneys.

Maximizing Your Compensation After a Bicycle Accident in College Park

Several factors influence the amount of compensation you may receive for your bicycle accident, most notably the severity of your injuries and whether there is a long-term impact. When you file a personal injury claim, there are several types of damages you may recover, including:

Medical expenses: compensation for current and future medical expenses and the cost of ongoing medical treatments. Damages also include hospital bills, the cost of physical therapy and rehabilitation, assisted devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, and any prescription medications related to the injury.

Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, which includes physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by the accident.

Long-term impact assessment: serious injuries can lead to ongoing medical needs, reduced earning capacity, and lifestyle changes. A thorough assessment of these factors is necessary for recovering fair compensation after a bicycle accident.

Medical expense documentation: maintain copies of hospital bills, prescriptions, doctor visits, lab tests, therapy sessions, and any other medical costs related to your recovery. These documents provide key supporting evidence for your bike accident claim.

Lost wages and future earnings calculations: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work and performing your job duties, you are entitled to recover lost wages. All wage loss calculations will include both immediate earnings and long-term earning potential.

Let our skilled legal team evaluate your bike accident case and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

How Our College Park Bicycle Accident Attorneys Build Your Case

Our College Park bike accident attorneys use proven strategies and techniques to build a strong case on behalf of injured cyclists. These strategies include, but are not limited to, the following:

Evidence gathering and preservation methods: Conducting a thorough investigation of the bicycle accident, collecting accident scene photos and videos, interviewing witnesses and obtaining statements, and gathering police reports and medical records pertaining to accident injuries.

Expert witness collaboration: Our legal team works with a professional network and will obtain expert witness testimony from medical professionals, accident reconstruction experts, and financial analysts to provide valuable insights that support your personal injury case.

Accident reconstruction techniques: Our lawyers will recreate the accident using forensic analysis, which helps demonstrate liability and the extent of damages to support your case.

Negotiation strategies with insurance companies: Our skilled accident lawyers present clear evidence to support your claim and counter any low settlement offers you receive from insurance companies. Our knowledgeable legal team will take the case to trial if a fair settlement is not reached.

Partner with Regan Zambri Long, a law firm that has a proven track record of successful bicycle accident claims.

Bicycle Safety and Accident Prevention in College Park

Preventative measures can improve bicycle safety and reduce the risk of bike accidents in College Park. Intersections with heavy vehicle traffic and limited bike lanes are high-risk areas and distracted or impaired drivers frequently cause collisions. Bicyclists should own essential safety equipment, such as properly fitted helmets, reflective gear, bright clothing, and front and rear lights for visibility. These can help prevent or lessen the severity of many bike accidents.

Familiarizing yourself with designated bike paths and road-sharing regulations in College Park can help avoid dangerous situations. In addition, adopting defensive cycling techniques such as maintaining awareness of surrounding traffic, clearly signaling turns and lane changes, and avoiding riding in vehicle blind spots can improve safety and reduce accidents.

If you’ve been injured despite taking precautions, contact our experienced College Park personal injury attorneys to discuss your legal options.

College Park, Maryland Bicycle Accident Lawyer