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A bicycle accident can be terrifying – not only during the event but also long afterward. Victims often have to deal with excruciating pain as well as horrible uncertainty. They have no idea how they’ll be able to afford the extensive medical treatment they need.
The skilled bicycle accident attorneys with Sand Law are here for you if you’re in this unfortunate situation through no fault of your own. If someone else caused the accident, we’ll work hard to help you get every penny of compensation you deserve. Just as important, we’ll provide peace of mind. You can rest easy knowing we’ll protect your rights at every turn.
Schedule a free case evaluation by contacting us online or calling 651-291-7263. You focus on your recovery, and we’ll handle everything else associated with your case.
Minnesota operates under a no-fault insurance system, which has significant implications for individuals involved in bicycle accidents and seeking compensation for their injuries. The no-fault system is designed to provide prompt and efficient coverage for medical expenses, regardless of who caused the accident.
Under this system, if you suffer an injury in a bicycle accident, your auto insurance (if you have it) is generally responsible for covering your medical expenses. Even if another party is at fault for the accident, you’ll turn to your own insurance company for coverage rather than seeking compensation directly from the at-fault party.
The key component of the no-fault system is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which is mandatory in our state. PIP coverage provides immediate payment for medical expenses and related costs, such as rehabilitation expenses and other damages resulting from the accident. It ensures that accident victims receive necessary medical treatment without establishing fault or waiting for a liability determination.
Minnesota’s no-fault system requires drivers to carry minimum PIP coverage. This coverage helps injured parties quickly access medical treatment and pays for reasonable and necessary medical expenses up to the policy limits. Minnesota’s minimum required PIP coverage is $20,000 per person and $20,000 for non-medical expenses, such as lost wages.
Again, PIP coverage applies not only to motor vehicle accidents but also to bicycle accidents. If you have PIP coverage under your auto insurance policy, it should cover your medical expenses resulting from a bicycle accident.
In some cases, the medical bills resulting from a bicycle accident may exceed the coverage provided by your no-fault insurance. If this happens, you may need to explore other options to cover the remaining expenses. One option is using your health insurance to pay these additional bills.
When utilizing your health insurance, you must review your policy carefully to understand applicable deductibles, copayments, or coverage limitations. Different health insurance plans may have varying degrees of coverage. You must also be aware of any out-of-pocket expenses you may be responsible for.
It’s worth noting that using health insurance to pay your medical bills may come with specific considerations. For instance, your health insurance company may seek reimbursement from any settlement or compensation you receive later. If you pursue a claim against the at-fault party and receive compensation, your health insurance company may have the right to recover the amount they paid for your medical expenses.
But what if your injuries are so extensive that your health insurance won’t cover all your medical bills? If another party’s negligence caused the bicycle accident, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Filing a lawsuit can allow you to seek compensation for your medical bills and other losses you’ve suffered due to the accident. An experienced personal injury attorney can guide you through the legal process, represent your interests, and help maximize the potential compensation you may receive.
You’ll need to hire a lawyer immediately to have the best chance of winning your case. The faster you do, the earlier your attorney can investigate the accident and gather critical evidence before it disappears. This evidence will make the difference between achieving a positive result and being responsible for all your accident-related expenses.
Your attorney will interview witnesses and obtain the police report. They’ll also request footage from surveillance cameras that might have captured the accident. If there’s a chance the at-fault driver was distracted due to texting or talking on their phone, your lawyer may be able to obtain their phone records.
An attorney will also negotiate with the driver’s insurance company to settle the case. This is how the vast majority of personal injury cases end. But sometimes, an insurer will refuse to give an accident victim what they deserve. If that happens in your case, a skilled lawyer will be well prepared to take the insurer to court. They can then present the evidence supporting your argument, bringing in expert witnesses if needed to strengthen your case.
The compensation you can receive after a bicycle accident depends on various factors. These factors may include the severity of your injuries, their impact on your daily life, the extent of the damages you’ve suffered, and the applicable laws.
Compensation for a bicycle accident may cover several different damages, including the following:
To assess the potential value of your claim and ensure you pursue fair compensation, speak with a personal injury attorney with experience handling bicycle accident cases. They can evaluate the specific details of your situation, consider relevant factors, and estimate the potential compensation you may be entitled to pursue.
The attorneys with Sand Law are standing by to help you get the money you have coming. We’ll use our extensive knowledge and experience to seek fair compensation for your medical bills and other damages. Call 651-291-7263 or use our online form for a free case review.
You might have done everything right when you were on your motorcycle. You followed all traffic laws, wore the proper protective equipment, and ensured you were aware of your surroundings. But a negligent motorist hit you anyway, and you suffered a severe injury as a result. Sometimes, a motorcycle accident is unavoidable. These mistakes, however, are.
The attorneys with Sand Law will help ensure you don’t encounter the same pitfalls that trap far too many personal injury plaintiffs. We’ll be with you throughout your case, answering all your questions and keeping you updated. Our lawyers will use their extensive experience and knowledge to help you obtain every penny of compensation you deserve.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 651-291-7263 for a free consultation.
Failing to seek immediate medical treatment after a motorcycle accident can have serious consequences. Even if you initially believe your injuries are minor or feel fine, some injuries may have delayed symptoms or be internal, such as internal bleeding, organ damage, or traumatic brain injuries. If you don’t see a doctor quickly, that could worsen your condition. Delaying medical attention could also cause long-term damage to your health.
Delaying treatment can hurt your case as well. The insurance company may argue that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. That argument will make it more challenging to establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries. Seeking prompt medical attention creates a documented record of your injuries and ensures that you receive appropriate care.
This documentation can be essential when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action. Medical records provide valuable evidence of the injuries sustained, the treatments received, and the associated costs.
Failing to file a police report after a motorcycle accident is another significant mistake that can weaken your legal position. Involving law enforcement is crucial to your case.
When the police arrive at the scene, they’ll collect essential information and create an official report documenting the accident’s details. This report typically includes information such as the accident’s date, time, location, the parties involved, witness statements, and any citations or charges issued.
Having an official police report provides an objective account of the accident, which can be vital when dealing with insurance companies or pursuing legal action. Without a police report, it can become a case of your word against the other party involved. Having a report backing up your account of what happened will make it easier to establish liability.
You must tell the truth to the officer, of course. But it’s just as critical to stick to the facts. Don’t volunteer your opinion regarding how the accident happened. Just tell the officer what you remember.
The reason is that the officer could construe your statement as accepting at least partial blame. They’ll write down everything you say. If it seems you’re admitting fault, that will be part of the report. The insurance company will use that to reduce or deny your claim.
Speaking with an insurance company adjuster without the guidance of an attorney can be a mistake with lasting repercussions. Insurance adjusters are trained professionals who protect their company’s interests, often by minimizing claim payouts.
When you communicate directly with an insurance adjuster, they may attempt to obtain statements from you that could be used against you later in the claims process. They may try to convince you to admit fault or downplay the severity of your injuries to diminish the value of your claim.
Having an attorney by your side ensures your rights are protected, and you have the necessary guidance to navigate these conversations effectively. An attorney can help you understand what information to disclose and what not to say. Your lawyer can also tell you how to handle any tactics the insurance company uses to devalue your claim.
Accepting a low settlement offer without seeking legal advice is one of the biggest mistakes any accident victim can make. This kind of mistake typically has long-term financial implications.
Insurance companies often aim to settle claims quickly and for the lowest possible amount to minimize their financial liability. When you accept a settlement offer without consulting an attorney, you may unknowingly undervalue your claim. Understanding the full extent of your injuries, damages, and future medical expenses is crucial before considering any settlement.
A skilled lawyer will know the actual value of your claim based on various factors such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future rehabilitation costs. They can negotiate with the insurer, so you receive the compensation that covers all of your accident-related expenses – now and in the future.
If you agree to an insufficient settlement, you’ll be responsible for whatever expenses remain. We’ve seen cases where accident victims found themselves in financial misery. If you hire us, we’ll ensure this doesn’t happen to you.
Another significant mistake is choosing not to hire an attorney after a motorcycle accident. Motorcycle accidents often involve intricate legal and insurance issues, making it challenging for an individual to handle the complexities alone.
There are far too many instances where an accident victim will act as their own lawyer. This almost always ends in disaster. Self-represented plaintiffs typically lose. When they do, they have to pay all of their accident-related expenses. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to financial ruin.
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney with Sand Law can provide invaluable expertise and guidance. We’ll gather crucial evidence, such as accident reports, medical records, and witness statements, to build a strong case on your behalf. Our lawyers know how to navigate the complexities of these kinds of cases. We also have a long track record of success.
Hopefully, you’ll hire our firm and avoid making any of the mistakes listed above. You can schedule a free evaluation of your case by using our online contact form or by calling 651-291-7263.
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