Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Bicycle accident cases are on the rise, with fatalities hitting a 25-year high in California. In addition, bike accidents can have devastating outcomes, with a considerable number resulting in permanent injures. Compensation will be pivotal to ensure you access the best care for your injuries.

When it comes to fighting for your case, bicycle accident lawyers will be extremely useful. Choosing your best attorneys can be challenging, especially because there are so many options to choose from. However, only the best lawyers will promote a successful outcome. Here are the top 8 factors to consider when hiring bicycle accident lawyers.

1. Local Experience in Personal Injury Cases

You want to feel confident knowing that your lawyer is well-versed in bike accident cases. Therefore, experience is a great place to start. 

First, verify the types of cases the law firm previously handled. Were the cases similar to yours? What were the outcomes?

Also, trial experience is crucial. If a settlement cannot be reached before litigation, you will need an attorney who has courtroom experience. In addition, your lawyer should have a winning record when going to trial. 

2. Specializes in Bicycle Accident Cases

You cannot afford to hire a general lawyer for your bike accident case. Attorneys that specialize in the field have better insights, thus guaranteeing great service and most likely a desirable outcome.

Your options for lawyers have to be made based on the area of specialization. Their reputation within the field might hold more weight in negotiations which offers you an added advantage.

Bicycle accidents can be complicated. You need an attorney who understands the California laws remarkably well. 

3. Check How Aggressively They Represent Their Clients

Regardless of fault, the defendant’s insurance will heavily push back on fairly compensating victims. They will also use tactics to manipulate victims into settling for a low offer.

Additionally, insurance adjusters are known to pester these injured cyclists and get them to admit fault. Therefore, you’ll need an aggressive personal injury lawyer on your side to fight for you.

Your lawyer’s commitment to your case and wellbeing should be evident in their past work. You can verify this by checking online reviews and researching what former clients had to say about your potential attorney. Also, you can ask the firm for references and testimonials.

If your lawyer doesn’t show tenacity in representing other clients, it might be a sign to seek the services elsewhere.

4. Focus On Getting Honest Reviews

While it is important to check online review sites, also beware of forged entries. These reviews are critical. Your potential attorneys know this and so do their competitors. 

Dishonest law firms will hire agencies to bulk up their online reputation, essentially paying for positive reviews. Conversely, competitors in the legal industry will sometimes write negative reviews about neighboring law firms to hurt their reputations. 

Therefore, you’ll need to confirm authenticity by gaining access to honest reviews. While there is not a surefire way to confirm the identity of who is leaving the reviews, watch out for red flags. 

If all of the reviews appear similar with just slightly different wording, that could be an indication that it’s not from a real client. If a bulk of positive or negative reviews were posted on the same day, that would be another identifier.

Real, first-hand references from trusted clients offer valuable information about the bicycle accident lawyer you decided to partner with.

5. Willingness to Accommodate You

As great as over-the-phone conversations are, they cannot substitute face-to-face interactions. You and your legal representatives need to have a one-on-one conversation to go over the case facts. Additionally, they will need to see the actual injuries sustained from the bike accident. 

Debilitating damage from the crash may make it difficult to travel and meet with your attorney in person. Therefore, your lawyer should be willing to meet you–whether that be at the hospital or your home.

Their effort to come to you shows commitment, increasing the faith in their ability to effectively assist you.

6. Check Their Credentials

Your lawyer will need to have completed basic legal training and education to enter into practice. Of course, they should also have passed the bar exam. However, do not settle for the bare minimum.

Go for an option that stands out. Check on any accolades or recognition that the lawyer might have received in the field.

Although the credentials do not always guarantee great representation, they are a step in the right direction as you seek compensation.

7. Fee Structure

Taking into account the legal fees your bicycle accidents lawyer will impose on the case is critical to identifying the right one. Sometimes, the demand for lawyers makes their fees relatively steep. Therefore, you will need to consider if that attorney is worth the cost or if you should find a more affordable option.

Requesting quotes and comparing lawyer fees will assist in the decision-making process. However, do not immediately choose the least expensive alternative. The more affordable options are not necessarily the best and selecting them may jeopardize your case.

Additionally, you don’t want any surprises that will leave you with a large bill. Therefore, do not be shy to ask for clarification on payment and billing. Some law firms work on a contingency fee basis, while others charge a flat rate. Choose the one that is the most practical for you. 

8. Compatibility Factor

Before signing your agreement, you’ll need to delve into the personal character of the attorney. While you want to make sure you get along, there are other factors to also keep in mind. 

Consider their communication methods and how long they take to get back to you regarding an inquiry. 

Also, make sure that they are easy to deal with for a smoother process before hiring them. They can be aggressive with the liable party, but you should not feel pressured or intimated by your attorney.

Developing a rapport with your bicycle accident lawyer happens through setting up a consultation. After, you will have a clearer picture of how it feels to work with them moving forward.

Consider Hiring Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today

Hiring bicycle accident lawyers might be complicated, but it gets easier when you know what to look for. Getting the right lawyer ensures you get compensated for your bicycle accident injury.

At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, we have extensive experience dealing with personal injury accidents involving injured bicyclists. Our law firm has recovered over $250 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

If you have a question about your bike accident case, schedule a free consultation with us today.