By Matt Lalande in Bicycle Accidents on May 18, 2023
Bicycle accidents are often overlooked in the larger conversation around traffic safety, but they can severely devastate individuals and families. These tragic events have the potential to inflict serious injuries and even result in wrongful death. The impact of bicycle accidents is felt by both children and adults, with life-changing consequences that can ripple through communities.
The physical and emotional toll of bicycle accidents is immense, particularly when it comes to serious injuries. Fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage are just a few examples of the severe repercussions that riders can face.
Such injuries can lead to long-lasting chronic pain and disability, requiring extensive rehabilitation and medical intervention. In some cases, the damage may be so severe that it results in permanent paralysis or other lifelong limitations. The financial strain of medical expenses and lost wages only compounds the suffering of those affected, creating an even greater burden for victims and their families.
Children are especially vulnerable to the devastation caused by bicycle accidents. The innocence and exuberance of youth often blind them to the inherent dangers of cycling, leading to an increased risk of accidents. When a child is involved in a bicycle accident, the outcome can be particularly heart-wrenching. Not only do these young victims have to grapple with the physical pain and emotional trauma of their injuries, but they also face a future where they may be unable to participate in the activities they once loved or achieve the milestones they had dreamed of reaching. In the most tragic cases, families are left to grieve the loss of a young life cut short, struggling to make sense of their immense grief and find a path forward.
Adults, too, can experience life-changing injuries in bicycle accidents. In many cases, these incidents involve individuals who have taken up cycling as a means of transportation or recreation, seeking to embrace a healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyle.
However, when a bicycle accident occurs, the dream of a better life can quickly become a nightmare. Individuals may be forced to give up their careers and passions, adjusting to a new reality that is defined by physical limitations and ongoing pain. These adults must also struggle to maintain their sense of identity and self-worth as they confront their altered circumstances.
The devastation of bicycle accidents is far-reaching, impacting not only the victims but also their families, friends, and communities. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident and suffered injuries or other losses, it may be beneficial to consult with an experienced lawyer – and here are three quick tips on how to get you there:
Below, our Hamilton bicycle accident lawyers offer valuable tips and information for those seeking representation.
Unfortunately, many law firms that are not in Hamilton advertise to deceive the public that they are. If you are looking to hire a bicycle accident lawyer in Hamilton, it’s essential you try your best to hire a local Hamilton Bicycle Accident lawyer. This way, you have someone you can get to know, visit, and feel comfortable with. The relationship between you and your lawyer will likely last several months or even years in some cases.
Hiring a local bicycle accident lawyer where you reside instead of a bicycle lawyer in another city can offer several advantages that benefit your case. For starters, the local lawyer is more familiar with local laws and regulations. They are more likely to be aware of any recent changes or nuances in local legislation and bylaws, allowing them to navigate the legal landscape more effectively.
Another advantage of working with a local bicycle accident lawyer is their knowledge of the local defence lawyers, court system and judges. Their experience with these local entities can help streamline the legal process and potentially improve the outcome of your case.
Additionally, local bicycle accident lawyers often have strong professional networks within their community, including local occupational therapists, vocational specialists, rehabilitation specialists, doctors and medical specialists. These connections can prove beneficial in gathering information, finding expert witnesses, and building a strong winning case while building you an effective care team.
Cost is another factor to consider when hiring a local lawyer. A local bicycle accident lawyer may help save you money, as out-of-town lawyers may charge additional fees for travel, accommodations, and other expenses related to working on your case from a distance.
Furthermore, working with a local bicycle accident lawyer can offer more personal attention and better communication. Face-to-face meetings and ongoing collaboration can lead to more tailored representation suited to your needs. Local lawyers often have a reputation within the community, which can influence their relationships with local courts and legal professionals.
The convenience of working with a local bicycle accident lawyer cannot be overstated. You can easily schedule meetings and attend court hearings without travelling long distances, making the process less stressful. With our Hamilton bicycle accident lawyers, you can visit our office for an in-person meeting anytime. Most importantly, your case will never be passed around to a lawyer or paralegal you don’t know.
While these factors make hiring a local lawyer advantageous, choosing the right bicycle accident for your specific case is essential. Experience, expertise, and communication style should also be considered when selecting legal representation.
Hiring a lawyer with specific experience in bicycle accident litigation is crucial if you’ve been seriously hurt in such an incident for several reasons:
First Meeting With Your Hamilton Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Preparing for your first meeting with a bicycle accident lawyer in Hamilton involves gathering all relevant information about the accident, preparing questions to assess the lawyer’s experience and suitability for your case, and understanding the litigation process.
To start, you should collect all pertinent documents related to the accident. These can include photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your bicycle; medical reports detailing your injuries and their impact on your life; receipts for medical expenses and bike repairs; a copy of the police report; and any communication from insurance companies. Having this information organized will help your attorney better understand the specifics of your case.
Next, prepare questions to help evaluate the lawyer’s experience in bicycle accident litigation. Some of these questions could include:
In addition, ask about their fee structure. Many Hamilton bicycle accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if you receive a settlement or win at trial. Y
ou should also ask who will be handling your case day-to-day. Sometimes, with bigger out-of-town firms, the lawyer you initially meet may not be the one who works on your case.
Remember that this first meeting is not only for the lawyer to assess your case but also for you to decide if this lawyer is a good fit for you. You should feel comfortable with them, confident in their abilities, and assured they will prioritize your case.
Lastly, it may be beneficial to research the bicycle accident litigation process. Understanding this can help you ask informed questions and understand the attorney’s explanation of the process.
Preparation is key to ensuring that your first meeting with a bicycle accident attorney is productive and helps you move forward in seeking justice and fair compensation.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer with trial experience is paramount when seeking legal representation for a personal injury case. Although many personal injury cases are settled out of court, there are scenarios where negotiations fail, and the case goes to trial. A bicycle accident lawyer with trial experience is well-versed in courtroom dynamics, knows how to present a case effectively in front of a judge or jury, and is not intimidated by the prospect of litigation.
The mere fact that your lawyer is prepared and experienced enough to go to trial can be a strategic advantage during settlement negotiations. Insurance companies know attorneys who can litigate effectively and those who cannot. If an insurance company knows that your attorney is reluctant or inexperienced in taking cases to trial, they may be more likely to offer a lower settlement, anticipating that the attorney will accept it to avoid going to court.
Furthermore, lawyers with trial experience have a deep understanding of legal procedures and rules of evidence. They can anticipate and counter the tactics used by the opposition. They know how to build a strong case, gather and present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and craft compelling arguments that can sway a jury in your favour.
Lastly, a seasoned trial lawyer understands the importance of storytelling in the courtroom. This is crucial to making complex legal and medical issues comprehensible and compelling to a jury. This includes framing the case’s narrative, presenting your side of the story, and humanizing you in the eyes of the jury so they can empathize with your situation and understand the full extent of your injuries and the impact on your life.
We recognize that injuries sustained from a bicycle accident can be truly life-changing for children and adults alike. The severity of these injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or even spinal cord injuries. Each of these has the potential to impact an individual’s quality of life significantly.
Simple tasks that were once taken for granted can become daunting or even impossible, and you may need to make significant changes to your lifestyle. The emotional and psychological toll can also be immense, from dealing with the trauma of the accident to adjusting to a new reality post-injury.
Such a transformative event often comes with considerable financial burdens, from care costs to lost wages. Recognizing this, we believe it’s essential to pursue fair and full compensation to help address these tremendous challenges and support recovery and adjustment in the aftermath of a serious bicycle accident.
Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers have recovered millions in bicycle accident compensation for Hamilton victims and victims of the surrounding areas since 2003. We have handled hundreds of bicycle accident cases and have extensive bicycle accident experience, both in and our of the Courtroom.
Call our bicycle accident lawyers no matter where you are in Ontario at 1-844-LALANDE or local in the Southern Ontario region at 905-333-8888. Alternatively, you can send us a confidential email through our website – and we would be happy to get back to you.
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I was a dental hygienist that suffers from really bad scoliosis. My insurance company ignored my doc & cut my benefits off & told me I could do “something”. Matt got me CPP Disability and and LTD settlement – I don’t know what I would have done without him.
My daughter was killed by a drunk driver and it forever changed all of our lives. It seemed that for two years time stopped. This was no an easy journey. Matt let me sit in on the discovery of the driver and boy, he never let up. In the end, our grand-daughter was taken care of and we were compensated for our loss – which we then donated to a cause we believed in.
I call Matt my knight in shining armour. After I was struck by a car while cycling and permanently crippled, he fielded all communications with my especially difficult and downright nasty insurance adjuster. Every step of my care was a battle and I did not have the strength to fight alone.
I lost my leg in a terrible motorcycle accident and Matt help me recover compensation I need because I could not work and the cost of prosthetics and rehab are out of this world. I don’t know what I would have done without him.
My brother ended up paralyzed after a car accident and Lalande did SO MUCH to help get things straight from him getting out of the hospital to all his care for life. We are so grateful for Matt & Heather. I don’t know how my family could have done this without them.
