Bicyclists in Elma and beyond have the right to safely navigate local roads without fear of danger. Unfortunately, while New York has laws in place to protect bicyclists, there are drivers, construction crews, and related parties whose negligence can put bicyclists in harm’s way.
What can you do in the face of that negligence? When in doubt, call on a bicycle accident lawyer in Elma. Richmond Vona’s team consists of several experienced attorneys who can help you recover the compensation you need to restore your previous quality of life.
You can contact a personal injury lawyer in Elma to book your first free case evaluation today.
Bicyclists Benefit From an Elevated Duty of Care
Bicyclists don’t have the same physical protection on the road that motorists do. As such, New York’s civil courts have enacted statutes to offer bicyclists additional protections. In other words, bicyclists throughout Elma and other New York cities benefit from an elevated duty of care.
What’s a duty of care? When you get on your bike and hit the road, everyone around you has an obligation to look out for you. While you must obey local and state bicycle regulations, so too must the people around you help prevent avoidable, negligence-based accidents.
Parties that don’t uphold the duty of care owed to you can cause dangerous accidents. That said, if you can prove that a particular party violated the duty of care owed to you, you can take that party to civil court.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer serving Elma, call (716) 300-5885
Acting on a Violated Duty of Care
It can cost a lot of money to recover from a bicycle accident. Fortunately, there are several different ways for someone in your position to fight for financial support after a crash. You can:
File an Insurance Claim
Your right to file an insurance claim after a bicycle accident depends on the specific nature of your collision. If you were hit by someone without insurance, you may not have the opportunity to demand support for your losses. That said, if you were hit by a car, truck, or other motor vehicle, you may have the right to file a claim with a major provider.
You can also explore your right to an insurance claim if you’re injured by damaged sidewalks or other materials while on someone else’s property.
If you want to pursue an insurance claim but aren’t sure what your right to action might look like, ask a bicycle accident lawyer. Elma’s experienced lawyers can help you better understand your accident before offering you legal advice.
Go to Civil Court
If you can prove that your accident stemmed from someone else’s negligence, you can hold that party accountable for their oversight. New York’s civil courts allow you to file personal injury claims against negligent parties, including those who’ve caused bicycle accidents in the Elma area.
That said, you must have concrete evidence tying someone else’s negligence to your accident if you want your bicycle accident claim to move forward. Moreover, you need to bring your claim forward well within New York’s personal injury statute of limitations. New York Civil Practice Law & Rules section 214 gives you no more than three years to act on your losses.
The good news is that there are several bicycle accident lawyers in Elma who can help you navigate New York’s civil court system. Richmond Vona’s team can step in after your accident to ensure that your claim makes it to a judge’s desk before your statute of limitations expires.
Elma Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (716) 300-5885
How to File a Bicycle Accident Claim With a Civil Judge
If you want to bring a bicycle accident claim forward in New York’s civil courts, you need to prove that:
- A named party owed you a duty of care
- Said party violated your duty of care
- The violation of that duty resulted in your economic losses
You must bring forward evidence to make these points. You have an obligation to meet New York’s burden of proof if you want your case to move forward. So long as you meet that burden, though, you should win the right to either negotiate for a fair settlement or take your bicycle accident case to trial.
You Deserve Comprehensive Bicycle Accident Compensation
You have as much of an obligation to prove your right to compensation as you do your right to legal action. Fortunately, the evidence you bring forward to prove bicycle accident liability can pull double duty. You may have the opportunity to use this evidence to prove the value of your bicycle accident losses.
Our bicycle accident attorneys in Elma want you to receive every damage that you might qualify for after a collision. With that in mind, we can look for evidence to prove your right to support covering your:
- Bicycle accident medical expenses, including emergency responder fees
- Long-term pain management, physical therapy, and/or mobility aids
- Property damage and essential replacements
- Property rentals, if applicable
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Stress
- Lost wages
- Lost opportunities to work
You can learn more about the damages you might qualify for during a FREE initial case evaluation with Richmond Vona’s personal injury lawyers.
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You Can Meet with a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Elma Today
You have the right to recover from a bicycle accident on your own terms. You can work with a bicycle accident attorney in Elma to investigate your losses and bring them to a judge’s attention. This fight can help you win the compensation you need to get your life back on track after a devastating accident.
You can book a FREE case evaluation with Richmond Vona’s personal injury lawyers in Elma and beyond. Reach out through our online form or by calling our office to schedule your first meeting with an experienced lawyer.
Call or text (716) 300-5885 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form