Why You Need Legal Protection After a Cherry Hill Bicycle Accident
When injured in a bicycle accident, a cherry hill bicycle accident attorney is crucial for your financial recovery.
What to Do After a Cherry Hill Bicycle Accident:
- Call 911 for medical and police assistance.
- Seek immediate medical care for all injuries.
- Document everything with photos and get witness/driver details.
- Contact a lawyer before speaking to insurance companies.
- Preserve evidence like your bike and clothing.
Bicycle accidents are dangerously common, with recent New Jersey data showing over 2,000 crashes, 80% of which caused injury. Most are due to driver negligence like distracted driving or failure to yield.
New Jersey law treats bicycles as vehicles, giving you the same rights as motorists. When drivers are negligent, you deserve compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
I’m Jason Fine. With over 25 years of experience, my team has secured top verdicts for accident victims, even when insurers offered nothing. As your cherry hill bicycle accident attorney, we understand the challenges you face and fight to protect your future.
Cherry hill bicycle accident attorney terminology:
Navigating Your Claim with a Cherry Hill Bicycle Accident Attorney
Bicycling in Cherry Hill can quickly turn into a nightmare if you’re in an accident. Understanding your rights and the necessary steps is crucial, which is where a dedicated cherry hill bicycle accident attorney is invaluable.
Why Accidents Happen and Why You Need a Cherry Hill Bicycle Accident Attorney
Bicycle accidents in Cherry Hill often result from driver negligence and hazardous road conditions. Because cyclists are unprotected, these crashes can cause severe injuries.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents:
- Driver Negligence: The primary cause is often drivers who are distracted, fail to yield the right-of-way, or are otherwise inattentive.
- Unsafe Actions: This includes “dooring” (opening a car door into a cyclist’s path), unsafe passing without the legally required three-foot buffer, speeding, and aggressive or impaired driving.
- Poor Conditions: Potholes, debris, and lack of dedicated bike lanes can contribute to accidents.
- Low Visibility: Inadequate lighting at night can make cyclists difficult for drivers to see.
Under New Jersey law, bicycles are considered vehicles, granting cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Drivers have a duty to share the road safely. For more state data, see the NHTSA’s report on NJ bicycle crashes.
After an accident, you face medical bills, lost wages, and pain while dealing with insurance companies aiming to minimize their payout. A cherry hill bicycle accident attorney is essential to protect your rights. We investigate the crash, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurers to secure the full compensation you deserve. Without an experienced lawyer, you risk being unfairly blamed or accepting a low settlement. We fight to make things fair. For more on how we handle personal injury cases in Cherry Hill, please visit our page on Cherry Hill, NJ Personal Injury Attorney.
Your Legal Checklist: What to Do Immediately After a Crash
The steps you take immediately after a bicycle accident are critical for your health and your legal claim.
Post-Accident Checklist:
- Call 911. Your health is the priority. This ensures you receive medical attention and that police create an official accident report, which is vital for your claim.
- Get a Medical Evaluation. See a doctor immediately, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like concussions or internal damage. A medical record links your injuries directly to the crash.
- Document the Scene. If it’s safe, take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, your injuries, road conditions, and traffic signs.
- Gather Information. Collect contact, license, and insurance details from the driver. Get names and contact information from any witnesses.
- Report to Insurance Carefully. Inform your insurance company of the accident, but only provide basic facts. Do not give a recorded statement until you’ve spoken with a cherry hill bicycle accident attorney.
- Avoid Admitting Fault. Do not apologize or say anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Stick to the facts.
- Preserve Evidence. Do not repair your bicycle or wash your clothing. Your damaged helmet, bike, and gear are crucial evidence.
Essential information to collect from the driver:
- Name
- License
- Insurance
- Phone Number
- License Plate
Recovering Full Compensation for Your Injuries and Damages
Cyclists have little protection, so accident injuries are often severe and can lead to permanent problems. Securing full compensation is vital for your future well-being.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries:
- Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Concussions and other TBIs can occur even with a helmet, leading to long-term cognitive and physical issues.
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI): Damage to the back and neck can cause herniated discs, nerve damage, or paralysis.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Wrists, arms, legs, and collarbones are frequently broken, often requiring surgery and physical therapy.
- Road Rash and Disfigurement: Severe skin abrasions can lead to infections, permanent scarring, and nerve damage.
- Internal Injuries: The force of impact can cause organ damage and internal bleeding, which may not be immediately apparent.
Types of Compensation You Can Recover:
Our goal is to recover all damages you are entitled to, including:
- Medical Expenses: All past, present, and future medical costs, from ER visits to long-term care.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation for income lost during recovery and for any reduction in your future ability to earn.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by the accident.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your bicycle, helmet, and other damaged personal property.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation if your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed.
- Other Damages: In applicable cases, this can include loss of consortium for a spouse or punitive damages for a defendant’s extreme recklessness.
For severe injuries, our firm has special experience. Learn more on our Cherry Hill, NJ Catastrophic Injury Lawyer page.
How a Cherry Hill Bicycle Accident Attorney Builds Your Case
Building a strong legal case is the next critical step after receiving medical care. An experienced cherry hill bicycle accident attorney handles the legal complexities so you can focus on recovery.
Our comprehensive approach includes:
- Thorough Investigation: We review police reports, visit the accident scene, interview witnesses, and collect all medical and financial records.
- Expert Consultation: We work with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and financial experts to build a powerful case.
- Insurance Negotiation: We handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from tactics designed to devalue your claim and fighting for a fair settlement.
- Litigation: While most cases settle, we are always prepared to take your case to trial if a fair offer is not made.
Key Legal Considerations in New Jersey:
- Statute of Limitations: You generally have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. For claims against a government entity, you may only have 90 days to file a Notice of Tort Claim. It is crucial to act quickly.
- Comparative Negligence: New Jersey’s “modified comparative negligence” rule means your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages. We work to minimize any fault assigned to you.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: If the driver fled the scene, we can help you pursue a claim through your own uninsured motorist (UM) insurance coverage.
Understanding New Jersey’s specific bicycle rules is key. You can find more information here: New Jersey bicycle regulations.
Why Local Legal Expertise Matters for Your Recovery
When you’re choosing a cherry hill bicycle accident attorney, local knowledge provides a significant advantage. While state laws apply everywhere, an attorney who is part of the Cherry Hill community understands the specific factors that can strengthen your case.
A local attorney knows Cherry Hill’s notorious intersections, road conditions, and bike lane issues. We are familiar with the Camden County courts, local police procedures, and the tactics used by regional insurance adjusters. This insider knowledge allows us to build a stronger case, steer the system more efficiently, and negotiate more effectively on your behalf.
At J. Fine Law, we combine this local insight with a proven track record. Here’s how we stand out:
- Aggressive Advocacy: We are not afraid to take on large insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve.
- Client-Centered Approach: Your well-being is our priority. We offer compassionate guidance and rapid attorney response to keep you informed.
- Contingency Fee Basis: You pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we win your case, making expert legal help accessible to all.
- Proven Results: Our firm has a 98% success rate and has secured over $50 million in settlements for our clients.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Cherry Hill, don’t steer the legal system alone. Contact our cherry hill bicycle accident attorney team for a free consultation to review your case and discuss your next steps. Let us put our local knowledge and legal expertise to work for you. Reach out through our Contact our Cherry Hill personal injury law firm page.