How to Choose the Best Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the number of personal injury law firms that claim to handle these cases. To find the most qualified Phoenix bike accident lawyer possible, research their experience with bicycle cases, ensure you’re comfortable with their communication style, and check their references and reviews.

To start your search, ask an attorney you trust–even one who works in a different area of law–for a recommendation for a bicycle accident attorney. The legal community is relatively small. Even if attorneys don’t know each other personally, they often know each other by reputation. This type of referral is usually quite reliable.

Why Bicycle Accidents Happen

In Arizona, awards for injuries and damages will depend on who is to blame for the accident. An experienced lawyer from the Gage Mathers Law Group will investigate the cause of the accident to determine liability.

Unfortunately, about one-third of all bicycle accident fatalities are a direct result of drunk driving according to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA also reports that nearly 80% of bicycle fatalities happen in urban areas, and the most dangerous time to ride a bicycle is in the evening between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

There are a multitude of other factors that could contribute to a bicycle accident. A driver could be distracted or not paying enough attention to the road. It’s also possible the cyclist is the cause of the accident if they ignore traffic laws.

Some accident circumstances can lead to felony charges and jail time for the one at fault. This could also add another layer of complexity to settlement negotiations.

What to Look for When Interviewing Lawyers

Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries and sometimes death. Navigating the complex legal environment of determining liability and negotiating settlements with insurance companies can be extremely stressful.

In most cases, it’s best to retain a personal injury attorney to protect your interests. Ask them specifically about their experience with bicycle accidents and if auto insurance covers bicycle accidents. This is a unique area of law. It differs from automobile, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents.

Interview several potential attorneys. They should be honest and walk you through the entire process and possible outcomes. An attorney should share their success rates and settlement amounts collected for clients. Read reviews and ask for references from previous clients.

Make sure the attorney works on a contingency basis. This is standard practice for personal injury attorneys. Typically, they get paid a 33.3% fee when the settlement is paid. Fees may be deducted first, but this will all be explained in their written retainer agreement.

Ask them how often they will update you on the case and how they will communicate (e.g., email, text, phone). Get the name of the paralegal or assistant you should call if the attorney is in court or otherwise unavailable. Finally, ask about the timeline and if your case should settle quickly.

Do I Really Need an Attorney?

Some people might be tempted to negotiate directly with insurance companies to avoid paying one-third of the settlement to a lawyer. Remember, though, they don’t get paid a penny if they don’t win the case. This is a major motivation for them to fight hard on your behalf and get the largest settlement possible.

Besides, personal injury and bicycle accident law are probably not your forte. If you do it alone, you will need to devote considerable time and resources to the case without the experience or knowledge required to handle it efficiently.

Insurance companies also try to pay as little as possible. An experienced legal professional knows what you’re entitled to. An attorney will also ensure you don’t inadvertently say something that the police, investigators, or insurance companies might use against you in the future or that could jeopardize your claims.

Get the Justice You Deserve

At Gage Mathers, we have decades of personal injury law experience and have recovered more than $275 million in the cases we’ve handled. We treat our clients respectfully and devote ourselves to your case so you can focus on recovering. As a smaller-sized law firm, we give all clients levels of personalized attention unseen at other firms.

Call Gage Mathers today for a free consultation about your bicycle accident. You won’t be disappointed!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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