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Morrin Law Office

Bicycle accident attorney in Richmond, Kentucky

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), about two percent of motor vehicle-related fatalities are bicyclists. The latest report update states there were 843 bicyclist fatalities in 2019. Bicyclists have minimal protection on the road besides a helmet, which makes them vulnerable to catastrophic injury or death in an accident.

If you or a loved one was hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle in Richmond, you could file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver or another liable party. A bicycle accident attorney in Richmond, Kentucky, from the Morrin Law Office can take on your case for compensation. We offer free case reviews to those who call our office.

Bicyclists may qualify to receive compensation for their injuries and damages

If you decide to work with our bicycle accident attorney in Richmond, Kentucky, we will begin drafting your demand letter for compensation. This letter lists all the damages related to your bicycle accident, then details an approximate value for those damages.

We use this figure as a goal when negotiating compensation for you or presenting your case at trial.

Damages generally fall in one of these categories:

Economic losses

Economic losses include any damage that involves financial loss, debt, or expense. These damages may include:

  • Past medical treatment costs for your injuries
  • Future medical treatment costs if your injuries are long-term or permanent
  • Lost wages, including benefits
  • Reduced earning potential
  • Property damage costs, such as to replace or repair your bicycle

Other economic costs may pertain to lifestyle changes you needed to make to accommodate your injuries. For example, if you were hit by a vehicle and suffered paralysis from a spinal cord injury, you might recover costs to convert aspects of your home to accommodate your disability (e.g., building a ramp to your door).

Keep in mind that Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 304.39-130 places a cap of $200 per week for plaintiffs claiming lost wages in their case. At the Morrin Law Office, we believe this cap is unfair and does not accurately meet the needs of our clients who cannot work because of their injuries. As such, we aim to advocate for you and negotiate a settlement deal that is fair to you and make sure you get paid for any work you have had to miss due to your accident.

Non-economic losses

“Non-economic losses” is an umbrella category that encompasses all non-financial damages. Most plaintiffs generally claim damages that reflect their physical, mental, and emotional injuries, such as:

  • Losses related to living with a permanent disability or physical disfigurement
  • Current and future pain and suffering and inconvenience
  • Emotional distress, which includes depression, anxiety, and insomnia
  • Psychological trauma caused by the bicycle accident
  • Loss of enjoyment in hobbies and activities (e.g., cycling, marathoning)
  • Diminished quality of life

Other non-economic losses may pertain to changes in your personal relationships, such as with your spouse or children, caused by your injuries.

Losses related to wrongful death

Bicyclists suffer a higher fatality rate if they live in urban areas. The IIHS states that 78 percent of bicyclists in 2019 died in accidents that occurred in urban cities. Downtown Richmond’s Main Street is one example of an area that is dangerous for bicyclists. If you lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, you may qualify to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit on their behalf.

With this type of legal action, you can pursue damages that reflect the severe loss you and your family are grieving, such as:

  • Funeral expenses, including burial or cremation costs
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of financial support from the decedent (your loved one)
  • Loss of parental guidance, companionship, or love and affection from the decedent
  • Loss of inheritance
  • Loss of society

We understand that grieving families may not be in the mental state to take on a legal case, which is why our injury professionals are trained to manage your case for you to protect your interests and best life. You can work with a Richmond, Kentucky, accident attorney at the Morrin Law Office while still giving yourself the time and space you need to cope with your loss.

Our bicycle accident lawyer in Richmond, KY, can build your case for you

At the Morrin Law Office, we do the work to prepare your case for settlement negotiations or trial, which includes:

Getting a copy of the crash report

We will request a copy of your crash report from local law enforcement. This accident report contains crucial information that forms the foundation of your case, such as:

  • Contact and insurance information of all involved parties
  • Observation notes on causal factors (e.g., a driver who appeared drunk at the time of the accident or failed a breathalyzer test at the scene)
  • Whether witnesses saw the accident
  • Where and when the accident occurred
  • Who the officer determined was at fault for the accident

Once we establish the key facts of your case and identify who may be held liable for your damages, we can discuss options for filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against them. We will also inform you about opportunities to pursue other liable parties, such as cases where the employer may be partially at fault for an employee’s accident.

Investigating the accident scene to retrieve additional evidence

Our injury professionals will also look to retrieve evidence to support your case, such as:

  • Video camera footage from traffic cameras, dashcams, surveillance cameras, and even cellphone cameras
  • Eyewitness and expert witness testimonies
  • Photos of the accident scene

If you think you have other evidence that can support your case, we will review this information.

Speaking with inquiring parties to protect your ongoing case

The defendant’s insurance adjuster may reach out to you for a statement, which could put your case at risk. Having a Richmond, Kentucky personal injury lawyer represent you during these communications can protect your case.

We can keep you from accidentally admitting fault or revealing information that could give the defendant an advantage at counterarguing your case.

Representing you during all legal proceedings and appearances

At the Morrin Law Office, we do the research to represent your case accordingly, which involves reading all insurance policies relevant to your case.

While we believe the best way to avoid a jury trial, and the expense, additional time, and stress on our clients that comes with it, is to prepare for the jury trial from the beginning. We will prepare your case for trial to seek the compensation you need. However, should an opportunity to negotiate a settlement arise, we can represent you and discuss these terms.

You always have the final word on accepting a settlement decision. We will provide legal counsel when necessary and be transparent in our case expectations.

We make sure to submit your lawsuit within Kentucky’s statute of limitations

All cyclists who are injured by a car or truck hitting them must file their personal injury lawsuits within two years of the bicycle accident or since their last personal injury protection (PIP) payment, per Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 304.39-230.

Get a free case review when you call the Morrin Law Office today

If you or someone you love was hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle, they may have grounds to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the liable party. We will file claims with all liability insurance policies to protect your interests and avoid a lawsuit if possible.

At the Morrin Law Office, we can assign a bicycle accident attorney to your case to retrieve evidence and represent you throughout your pursuit of compensation. Call (859) 358-0300 to speak with one of our injury professionals and learn what legal steps we can take to start the claims or litigation process.