If I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle, should I hire a lawyer or try to settle with the driver’s insurer?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

If I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle, should I hire a lawyer or try to settle with the driver’s insurer?

Asked on August 5, 2014 under Personal Injury, Iowa

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 9 years ago | Contributor

Where you injured or you bicyle damaged? If the answer is "no," you're not entitled to anything: you are only entitled to compensation for actual injuries or damage so if you were, fortunately, not hurt and suffered no property damage, there is nothing to sue for.

If you did suffer injury or property damage, you may be entitled to compensation--at least if the driver, and not you, was at fault. (If you were at fault, you would typically not be entitled to compensation; the obligation to pay compensation is based on fault.) If the medical bills and property damage totals to less than the maximum amount for your small claims court, then you are probably best off trying to settle first, then if they won't settle, suing in small claims court, acting as your own attorney. If  the total compensation you may be seeking is more than the small claims limit, you probably should consult with an attorney and let a lawyer help.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption