Bicyclists are more vulnerable on the roads of Atlanta compared to people in vehicles. As a rider, you are not protected from the weather elements, and in the event of a mishap, you have little to no time to react or protect yourself. If you sustained injuries in a bicycle accident, you need to contact a lawyer immediately. People often assume they can get a fair settlement by filing an insurance claim, which is certainly untrue in most circumstances. In this post, we are sharing what to expect when hiring an Atlanta bicycle accident attorney.
- A fair review: A knowledgeable and experienced lawyer will not lie to you. They will see the basic facts, the evidence you have, and other available information to give you a reasonable review of your bicycle accident claim. At times, lawyers tell clients to accept the insurance offer because the expected settlement is on the lower side. In other situations, they may have a more aggressive approach because the case is worth a lot more. Expect your lawyer to be honest and transparent with you.
- An investigation into the bicycle accident: Lawyers are not magicians. They must investigate a mishap to know exactly what happened and who is liable for the injuries suffered by their client. It requires considerable work and effort, often involving the need to talk to experts and accident reconstruction services. You can expect the attorney to do everything possible to strengthen your claim.
- Negotiate with the claims adjuster: If you decide to deal with the insurance company independently, you may fall for the adjuster’s tactics and accept their first offer. With an attorney taking things forward, you don’t have to negotiate directly. Remember that you are not obligated to give the insurance company a statement. Just let them know that you have hired an attorney.
- A contingency fee arrangement: Your bicycle accident lawyer is also expected to work on a contingency fee. In simple words, it means that your lawyer cannot demand payment until you get paid. When you win a financial settlement, the lawyer will take a part of it, usually a fixed percentage varying from 30% to 40%. It is best to ask the lawyer about the financial elements in advance.
Finally, you can expect the lawyer to take the bicycle accident case to court if required, for which they will handle all the necessary legal work.