Gary, IN Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bike accidents can be devastating to victims, entitling them to compensatory damages in Gary. In order to claim the damages they deserve, victims should understand certain aspects of the recovery process, including which steps to take to ensure they receive compensation for their losses.

Drivers owe a duty of care to bicyclists on the road. Drivers might breach this duty of care in several ways, possibly causing injury to a bicyclist in Gary. This is what entitles a victim to compensation for their damages. If a driver breached their duty of care and harmed you, you should call the police and go to the nearest hospital.

Our lawyers will then begin building your claim, including uncovering evidence, such as eyewitness statements and surveillance camera footage. Once we have built a strong case in your favor, we will help you file your claim in Gary. Delaying filing might harm a victim’s ability to recover sufficient compensation for their injuries. Because of this, it will be important for you to start the recovery process immediately after a bicycle accident.

To have our Gary, IN bicycle accident lawyers assess your case for free, call Wruck Paupore at (219) 322-1166 today.

Understanding the Duty of Care in Bicycle Accident Claims in Gary, IN

When riding your bicycle in Gary, you owe a duty of care to others on the road, as they owe you. If a driver breaches their owed duty of care and injures you, you have the right to pursue compensation.

The specific duty in question is one that drivers owe other drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and others on the road. This duty is to adhere to traffic laws, which will, in turn, avoid injuries. Establishing a breach of this duty is essential for bicyclists to recover compensation. This is done via evidence, such as surveillance camera footage and eyewitness statements, which our bicycle accident lawyers will work to obtain following your incident in Gary.

Common ways drivers breach their duty of care and hurt bicyclists include driving under the influence, driving recklessly, driving through stoplights, and drifting into bike lanes. Passengers or drivers might open their doors into bike lanes without checking for bicyclists, causing an incident and harm to a victim.

When it is nighttime or visibility is low, drivers must use their headlights and, in some cases, their high beams. If drivers do not do this, they might not see bicyclists near them, leading to an accident. These incidents involving low visibility often happen at intersections or at night. There are other ways that drivers might breach their duty of care and hurt bicyclists, entitling bicyclists to pursue compensatory damages in Gary. If you are unsure whether a duty of care breach caused your accident, ask our lawyers for clarification.

Not all bicycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers. Motorcyclists, pedestrians, and even other bicyclists might act negligently and in breach of their duties of care, injuring bicyclists. Regardless of the specific circumstances of your accident, you can likely seek compensation following a bike crash in Gary.

How to Proceed After a Bicycle Accident in Gary, IN

If you were recently hurt in a bicycle accident, you must understand how to best proceed. Crucial next steps for victims include alerting law enforcement to an accident, getting medical attention, and gathering evidence of fault. Following these steps will likely give you the best chance of recovery in Gary.

Alert Law Enforcement

Immediately following your bicycle accident in Gary, call the police. Officers will create a crash report detailing the incident. Our attorneys can then refer to this report when building your case to learn important information you might have difficulty recalling because of your injuries.

Get Medical Attention

Once you have alerted the police to your bicycle accident, go to the emergency room. This is necessary, even if you are convinced you are uninjured. Generally, bicycle accident injuries are severe and require immediate medical attention. Some head injuries and other injuries, such as internal injuries, might take time to become apparent. Doctors can more easily identify these injuries and give you the necessary care. Continue to get treatment for your injuries for as long as you require it. Your medical records will be important evidence in your case.

Collect Evidence

If you can speak to eyewitnesses following the accident and take photographs, do so. Getting eyewitnesses’ names and contact information can allow our lawyers to contact them about providing statements in support of your case. This can be invaluable, depending on the other available evidence. Photographs can also be useful in providing additional context to an accident and a victim’s damages. Our lawyers will also search for other evidence, such as security camera footage, that can improve your chances of recovering compensation following your bicycle accident.

Pursue Compensation

You will not have unlimited time to recover compensation following a bicycle accident in Gary. While the final deadline to bring a claim is two years from an incident, waiting that long could negatively impact your claim. It gives insurance companies more room to contest that your injuries were caused by a driver's negligence. To improve your chances of recovery, contact our attorneys immediately after you are injured in a bicycle accident. While you are on the path to recovery, continue getting the necessary medical treatment for your injuries. In addition to getting medical care, seeking guidance from a therapist may benefit you. This can ultimately aid in your recovery of non-economic damages if such compensation is available in your case.

Call our Gary, IN Lawyers About Your Bicycle Accident Case

Call our bicycle accident lawyers at (219) 322-1166 to schedule a free analysis of your case from Wruck Paupore.