Were you injured in a bicycle accident recently in Freehold, NJ? If someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct contributed to your accident or injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses.
Our experienced Freehold bicycle accident lawyers are here to help. You can count on Noonan Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC to handle your case and fight for compensation for your bicycle accident-related injuries.
To schedule a free consultation with our Freehold bicycle attorney, contact our Freehold, New Jersey office online or call us at (732) 303 7857.
How Noonan Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Freehold
Our dedicated attorneys will help you navigate the personal injury claim process and level the playing field between you and the insurance providers. We have over 40 years of combined experience helping injured victims fight for compensation in Freehold, NJ. We have secured millions of dollars on their behalf.
When you hire our Freehold personal injury attorneys, we’ll take the following steps to help you secure the best outcome in your case:
- Investigate the accident
- Collect video footage, witness statements, and other evidence to support your case
- Assess the extent of your damages
- Explain your options and develop a case strategy
- Hire expert witnesses, if necessary, to bolster your claims
- Contact the insurance provider on your behalf to negotiate a settlement
- Vigorously advocate for you in court, if a favorable settlement can’t be reached
Let our Freehold bicycle accident attorneys focus on your claim so you can focus on recovery and moving forward with your life.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Freehold, NJ?
Unfortunately, bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities have increased in the past several years. In 2021, 23 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents in New Jersey, whereas the number of people injured was less than 20 per year between 2017 and 2020.
What Is My Freehold Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you might assume that the value of your case is the total amount of your medical expenses and property damage. It’s not that simple. Several factors will influence the value of your bicycle accident case, including:
- The type and extent of your injuries
- The amount of property damage incurred
- Whether you were partially at fault in the accident
- The insurance policy limits
- Whether you have any non-economic damages
With so many variables, it’s impossible to pinpoint what your case may be worth without knowing the specifics of your case. Our attorneys will review your case in detail and explain the potential value of your bicycle accident case.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Bicycle Accident Victims in Freehold?
Compensatory damages are the primary remedy for bicycle accident victims. These damages relate to the losses incurred as a result of an accident or injury. The purpose of compensation for these damages is to make the victim “whole again.” There are two main types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages Available in Your Bicycle Accident Case
Economic damages refer to the financial losses caused by an accident or injury, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Transportation costs
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Economic damages are sometimes called tangible damages or special damages, as they are based on specific transactions. They can often be proved with receipts, invoices, or other forms of documentation. The opposing party may still challenge your economic damages. Hiring an experienced bicycle accident lawyer is a great first step to seeking economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages Available in Your Bicycle Accident Case
In contrast, non-economic damages relate to the emotional or otherwise intangible consequences of the accident or injury.
Non-economic damages might include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Disability or disfigurement and their associated effects
- Loss of companionship by a loved one
- Diminished quality of life.
Non-economic damages are sometimes called intangible damages or general damages. They are trickier to calculate. It’s hard to place a price tag on one’s emotional trauma or subjective experience. Nonetheless, an experienced bicycle accident attorney can explain which damages may be available to you and help assess their value.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Freehold?
If you’re juggling medical costs, lost wages, and other unexpected costs after a bicycle accident, you may wonder whether you can afford an attorney to pursue your case. Fortunately, personal injury lawyers usually work for a contingency fee. This fee is collected at the end of your case as a percentage of your ultimate financial award. Accordingly, you don’t have to pay any attorney’s fees upfront, and the attorney only gets paid if you do.
The percentage an attorney will charge in a bicycle accident case may range from 33% to 40%, depending on factors like the duration and complexity of your case. Note that you may be responsible for other costs in your case, such as court filing fees and administrative costs. At the outset of your case, your attorney should explain these costs and whether they will advance them for you.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Bicycle Accident in Freehold?
It depends. In many cases, you can still recover compensation if you’re being blamed for a bicycle accident. Under New Jersey’s comparative negligence law, you can recover compensation as long as you were no more at fault than the other party. This means that you can recover compensation if you were 50% or less at fault.
While you can still recover compensation, your ultimate recovery will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. For example, if you incurred $10,000 in damages and were found to be 25% at fault, then you could only recover up to 75% of your damages–$7,500.
As you can see, a lot can hinge on the amount of blame you are assigned. Our seasoned attorneys will fight to make sure you aren’t assigned more than your fair amount of blame. This helps you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, collisions with vehicles are one of the main causes of bicycle accidents. Another major cause is falls. Falls might be caused by equipment failures, road conditions, weather conditions, collisions with pedestrians, or attempts to avert a collision with a vehicle.
Cyclists usually may ride in bike lanes or in shared lanes with vehicles. While these lanes are often marked with signage to remind cars to look for bicyclists, many accidents are caused by car drivers failing to see bicyclists. Another cause of bicycle-car collisions is failing to yield the right of way.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bicycle Accident in Freehold, New Jersey?
The basis of most bicycle accident claims will be that the at-fault driver was negligent. Negligence means failing to exercise the same care and caution that a reasonable person would in the same situation.
To succeed in your negligence claim in New Jersey, you must prove four elements:
- Duty of Care. The defendant owed you a duty of care, which is a legal obligation to act a certain way toward others. The general duty of care is to act the way a reasonably prudent person would under the same or similar circumstances.
- Breach. The defendant breached or violated the required duty of care.
- Damages. You suffered injuries or other losses in the accident.
- Causation. The defendant’s actions were the factual and legal cause of your injuries. They were the factual cause if your injuries would not have occurred without the defendant’s actions. They were the legal cause if your injuries were a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the defendant’s actions.
You must prove each of these elements “by a preponderance of the evidence.”
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in New Jersey?
You have two years from the date of an accident or injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey. This time limit on filing a lawsuit is known as the statute of limitations.
It’s crucial that your case is filed on time. If it isn’t, you may not be able to recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact Our Freehold Bicycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Bicycle accidents can have devastating consequences. If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Freehold, NJ, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries, property damage, and more. We can help you navigate the complexities of the personal injury claim process and fight for compensation for all of your damages.
Contact Noonan Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC online or call us at (732) 303-7857 to schedule a free consultation with our Freehold bicycle accident lawyer.