New York City is one of the few places that has dedicated paths and space for bicyclists to recreate themselves. However, some people choose to use their bikes to run errands and as the primary mode of travel to and from work. If you are one such person, then you know of the potential dangers in the more crowded parts of the city. When you venture on to the road, you must contend with motor vehicles and you must follow the same rules and regulations as they do.
You should be extra vigilant and take measures that will reduce the risk of accident. You should always signal before you turn, wear reflective clothing at night, and follow scrupulously the rules of the road.
If you have done all these things and were still injured in a collision with a motorist, you do have legal options.
Telling Your Side
Although more and more people are embracing bicycling as a means of transport, some motorists do not care to see bikes on the road at all. They do not recognize the right of bicyclists to be on the road and drive aggressively when they are around them. If you have been in an accident with such a person or some other reckless motorists, your first move should be to contact a personal injury lawyer such as the ones found at https://www.diamondinjurylaw.com/.
Even as you are recovering from the accident, you want to establish your version of events. You want to set down in writing the events that led to the accident while the facts are still fresh in your mind. A personal injury lawyer will work with you so that the particulars of your accident and all that occurred after it are recorded. This narrative will be used as the basis of the subsequent legal strategy formulated by your lawyer.
Why You Should Seek Damages
Being on a bicycle leaves you especially vulnerable to a collision with an automobile. Even the slightest bump can leave you with many scrapes and bruises. If you took the full force of the vehicle, then you could have a lifetime of health difficulties. For sure, you will need to spend time in the hospital, which means the accumulation of medical bills and the loss of income.
It can be hard for you and your family to bear the financial strain of such a condition. And you should not have to. The person who caused the accident should be forced to pay compensation for the wrong they have committed.
How a Lawyer Can Help
You need not file a lawsuit straightaway. Your lawyer will first get the person responsible for the accident to make an offer. If they refuse or make an offer this unreasonably low, then you may need to file a lawsuit. It will be the aim of your attorney to present evidence so strong and sound against the respondent that they eventually settle for an amount commensurate with all that you have suffered.
