In Illinois as in many states, cyclists are entitled to share the roadways with motor vehicles. Despite many public campaigns to raise awareness about bicycle safety, tragic accidents still occur. Unfortunately, these collisions often result in tragedy. Riders are virtually unprotected, and the impact can lead to catastrophic injuries or death. Significant medical expenses, loss of income, or funeral costs can devastate a family’s finances after such an event. Depending upon the circumstances, accident victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, it is imperative to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to preserve your legal rights. Damon Young is a Peoria bicycle accident lawyer who handles such matters throughout Central Illinois. Contact us today to speak to a Peoria lawyer.
Peoria bike accident attorney vigorously protecting victims’ rights
For obvious reasons, bicyclists are extremely likely to suffer from serious injuries if struck by an automobile. Victims may experience a traumatic brain injury, paralysis, spinal injuries, or even wrongful death. When a collision is the result of a driver’s failure to obey traffic laws or intentional misconduct behind the wheel, it is possible to recover damages from the responsible party. As in other types of personal injury cases, a plaintiff must first demonstrate that another person was responsible for the accident. After establishing the defendant’s liability, one must demonstrate the extent to which the accident damaged them financially. For a variety of reasons, this may be particularly complicated in a bicycle accident case.
First, defense attorneys often argue that the cyclist was responsible for the accident, claiming the rider swerved on the road or failed to signal a turn properly. An experienced attorney will thoroughly investigate the details of the crash, gathering police reports, witness testimony, and available camera surveillance footage. In some cases, an accident reconstructionist may be used to refute arguments that the rider was at fault. Second, even if the cyclist was partially responsible, they may still be able to recover damages. Under Illinois law, if the victim was not more than fifty percent responsible for the accident, the defendant will be required to pay damages reduced by the victim’s percentage responsibility. This comparative fault theory can be complicated and difficult to explain to a jury. Experienced counsel can help present an effective case on your behalf. Finally, when the injuries are severe, it may be challenging to ascertain the long-term medical prognosis of the victim for months or even years after the event. Even then, experts may disagree on whether the injured party will fully recover, whether they can earn wages in the future or what ongoing treatments may be required. Quantifying the damages accurately will be important for settlement negotiations and, if a settlement cannot be reached, for the trial. It is essential for one’s legal counsel to be familiar with these issues and understand how best to navigate them through one’s case.
Damon Young is a Peoria bike accident attorney with experience in such matters. He understands that bicycle accident victims may be permanently impacted by the injuries they sustain. Damon works with the necessary experts to establish third-party liability and maximize the amount recovered by his clients and their families. After going through the traumatic aftermath of a bicycle crash, the last thing victims need is to be blamed for the incident themselves. Damon believes in protecting victims’ rights. He takes an aggressive stance with insurance companies and will not back down to pressure if a settlement offer is unfair to his clients. He takes a hands-on approach with the injured party’s treating physicians to keep informed about the medical and financial prognosis during the case. We understand that this is a trying time in your life and we are ready to assist you. Contact us today to speak with a lawyer.
Illinois lawyer who values customer service assisting bicycle accident victims
Damon understands that after a serious accident, families will be more concerned with the victim’s recovery than engaging in a legal battle. That is why he offers a free initial consultation, which can be conducted at the hospital or your home if necessary. He maintains an open line of communication with his clients throughout the case, including providing his cell phone number for maximum accessibility. Damon promptly responds to emails, phone calls, and client inquiries. Our office is ready to assist you. Contact us today to speak with an attorney.
In addition to Peoria, our lawyer also serves clients in the Illinois cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington.
