Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Santa Fe, New Mexico

CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH A SANTA FE BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER FOR FREE

Riding a bike is a relaxing, joyful pastime for many people.  This is especially true in a beautiful and vibrant city like Santa Fe.  However, even the most peaceful activities can quickly turn to chaos when an accident occurs.  Bicycle accidents can be mild, severe, and sometimes they may not even yield any injuries at all.

In the worst-case scenario where a bicycle accident causes injuries, it is in your best interest to have an experienced attorney on your side fighting for you and protecting your best interests.  This is the most efficient way to deal with insurance companies and it may increase your ability to be able to recover the maximum amount of compensation that you may be entitled to.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bike accident, call (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free case evaluation with a Santa Fe bike accident attorney today.

Bicycle Accident Statistics in Santa Fe

According to a 2018 analysis conducted by the Santa Fe Police Department, bicycle accidents are most likely to happen in Sante Fe between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.  This makes a lot of sense when you consider that these may be the hours where the most people are on the roadways in conjunction with bikers.  In fact, the same study noted that the most common factor that may result in a bicycle crash is the failure to yield by a motor vehicle.  The study looked at bicycle crashes between 2016 and 2018.  Although the number of crashes decreased ultimately going into 2018, all but two of the crashes involved a motor vehicle.

Biking in large cities can be dangerous, so it is important to take steps to protect yourself where you can.  The National Safety Council has said that wearing a helmet can reduce a bicyclist’s risk of head injury by as much as 50%.  Wear a helmet, be observant, and always do what you can to stay safe.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

While this is not a comprehensive list, the following are some of the common injuries that may occur once you are involved in a bike accident:

• Broken bones
• Bruises
• Cuts and scrapes
• Spinal injuries
• Neck injuries or whiplash
• Skull fractures or brain injuries
• Shock and emotional trauma
• Internal bleeding
• In serious cases, potential death

Read More: Santa Fe Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

What to do After a Bike Accident

Medical Attention

Even after administering basic first aid, it is still important to seek medical attention by going to an emergency room or doctor’s office.   Even when you think you may not have any serious visible injuries, you may still have suffered internal injuries that aren’t outwardly apparent.  Regardless of your injuries, if you are considering seeking legal compensation after an accident, an official record of your injuries and treatment by a medical professional is essential to filing a claim.

Call the Police

It is always best to call the police after a bike accident or any accident so that they can create and file an official police report.  Be honest with the police about what happened, your injuries, and any other information relating to the accident.  The report created by the police will also be an important piece of evidence in your claim.

Read More: How to Get a Santa Fe Crash Report

Document the Scene Yourself

The police will document what happened and anything else they deem relevant, but it never hurts to take matters into your own hands.  Do your best to document anything you can.  Take pictures of:

• The area where the accident occurred
• The bike and any damage
• Your injuries immediately following the accident

Try to write down any memorable details about what happened.

How to File a Biking Accident Claim

Speak with an Attorney

It is certainly not a requirement to have an attorney when you file a claim in a bicycle accident case, but it is the best way to ensure you are being treated fairly by the legal process and the insurance companies involved.  Our attorneys at Zinda Law Group have a breadth of experience dealing with bike accident claims.  Call our office today free of charge to speak with an attorney about your bicycle accident and your possible claim.

Investigation

After you decide you want to pursue legal action, an investigation is essential.  The purpose of an investigation is to get the details on what happened, who was involved, what injuries occurred, and any other relevant factors that could affect how much compensation you may seek.  If you choose to hire an attorney, they may have the experience to conduct this process efficiently and thoroughly.

Negotiation

While we all wish the legal process was as quick and easy as telling someone what they owe you for your injuries and then getting paid, it isn’t that simple.  Legal claims often require a lengthy negotiation process. The responsible party may reach out at some point to your attorney with an offer of settlement. Parties often settle lawsuits before they go to trial so that no one has to deal with the court process and the risk of losing in front of a jury. Most cases settle. However, initial settlement offers usually aren’t adequate. Therefore, an attorney may advise you on whether or not to accept and offer or negotiate further.

Statute of Limitations

Under New Mexico law, a victim seeking compensation after a personal injury accident has three years to file a claim.  Each state has similar laws surrounding the permissible time limit in which you are allowed to file a claim.  This is known as the statute of limitations and is very important.  Failure to bring a claim within the permissible time frame could ultimately result in your inability to file a claim altogether.  Thus, in Santa Fe, you have three years from the date of your bicycle accident to file a claim or else you may forfeit your right to compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer for a bicycle accident?

The short answer to this question is no.  You don’t need a lawyer to file a bike accident claim or any other personal injury claim for that matter.  However, having an experienced attorney fighting for you may be in your best interest when dealing with the at-fault party.  An attorney may help you during the process of filing a claim and may even be able to help guide you and the other party to a successful resolution.

What types of compensation can I claim in a bicycle accident?

After a bicycle accident, you may be able to recover two different types of damages for your injuries.  These damages can be categorized as economic and non-economic damages.

What’s the difference between economic and non-economic damages?

Economic damages compensate you for costs that are quantifiable, such as medical expenses or lost wages.  Non-economic damages are less concrete and seek to compensate a victim for less tangible injuries.  This may include compensation for pain and suffering.

How long does it take to settle a bicycle claim?

Unfortunately, there is no set timeline of how long it takes to settle a bicycle claim.  The length of time it takes to negotiate to a successful settlement could be rather quick or it could be lengthier depending on the complexity and severity of the accident.  Give us a call today for a 100% free case evaluation and let us get started working on your claim.

How MAY Zinda Law Group Help Me with a Bicycle Accident

The attorneys at Zinda Law Group have experience dealing with bicycle accident claims in Santa Fe and may be able to help you today.   Having an experienced attorney on your side may be able to ease the burdens of the legal process in a number of ways.  An attorney may aid in investigating your claim, calculating damages, speaking with the responsible party and their representatives, and settlement negotiations.  Most legal claims resolve themselves through settlement offers.  This is where the other party or insurance offers a recovering victim a certain amount of money to resolve the dispute and avoid going to trial.  However, if the settlement offers extended to you were are inadequate, an attorney may advise you on the potential benefits or risks of taking your claim to trial.

At Zinda Law Group, our attorneys believe that everyone should have access to quality representation after being involved in an accident, which is why our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.  This means that unless we win your case, you won’t owe us any money for our services.  We get paid when you do.

Call our Santa Fe attorneys today at (800) 863-5312 for a free case evaluation.  We are offering virtual consultations during the COVID-19 crisis to ensure the health and safety of our clients.

Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.