5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Bicycle Accident Attorney

Los Angeles is known for its congestion, gridlock traffic and road rage. But a little known offshoot of all this is the prevalence of bicycle accidents involving those who prefer to take a quicker, more scenic route to work. Last year alone saw 26 people die while riding their bikes in LA – 62 throughout the rest of Southern California. Sad thing is, this is a decrease from prior years, down from 86 deaths in SoCal in 2014. But any number, really, is too high.

With the boom in bike accidents comes an increase in the need for good bicycle accident attorneys so that victims aren’t left without compensation for their injuries. The tricky part comes in finding a competent, experienced and tenacious bicycle accident lawyer. That’s where you have to do a little homework.

We’ll help you narrow down the important questions to ask as you call around.

1.   What is Your Level of Experience?

Hiring a lawyer with more than five years of experience, preferably much more than that, is wise. This will display longevity in a fickle business that gets more competitive day by day. A bike lawyer who can rise above the rest and be successful for his or her clients over several years shows tenacity, staying power, and skill. This extensive knowledge base shows you that a particular attorney is able to argue your case aggressively to ensure maximum compensation. Good communication skills ensure he or she can also negotiate well with the other party’s attorney, the judge, the police and the insurance companies – far better than you could on your own.

2.   What is Your Area of Practice?

You wouldn’t visit an orthopedic doctor for a chronic sinus infection…you would seek out an ear, nose and throat doctor to best address your healthcare needs. Same in the legal world. You wouldn’t seek out a divorce attorney for a bike accident case. It’s important to ask lawyers what their focus or area of practice is so you know they can give you the focus and attention you require. A lawyer who focuses on bike accident cases is in the best position to handle your case more effectively. Most bicycle accident lawyers operate under the umbrella of personal injury attorney, handling a variety of personal injury cases such as dog bites, slips and falls, and motorcycle accidents. That’s fine, but just be sure to ask targeted questions about their experience in handling cases like yours.

3.   What is Your Success Rate?

Within that same conversation, you should ask what the lawyer’s success rate is in handling cases like yours. In fact, you should always ask this before entering into any agreement with a bicycle accident lawyer. Good attorneys won’t hesitate to show you the number of cases they have successfully argued – and the ones they have lost.

4.   What is Your Rate?

Attorney fees can be all over the map depending on which firm you go to. However, settling on a particular attorney because of low-ball rates usually signals a red flag, equating the low price tag to low quality of service. Your best bet is to get quotes from at least three area attorneys to ensure you’re choosing the one with the highest quality legal representation at a cost that won’t break the bank. Most good attorneys won’t expect a dime from you unless they successfully win or settle your case.

5.   What is Your Goal for my Case?

This is a good question because it forces the attorney to give you a personalized answer that takes into consideration the parameters of your unique situation. For example, here at Power Legal, we provide you with a free consultation first; then, if we determine that legal action is justified, we will collect detailed information about your injuries and start an independent investigation into the cause of your injuries.

Our goal is to provide you with all of the compensation you deserve, which may involve holding several parties accountable, such as:

• Bicycle manufacturers that produced faulty or defective products
• Motorists who put your safety at risk
• Municipal leaders who have failed to provide adequate street lighting or maintenance of roads
• Safety device companies that failed to produce helmets to the strictest of standards
• Wheels, tires, pedals or spokes manufacturers that have produced faulty parts

Whether your bike injury case involves catastrophic injuries for yourself or you’re grieving the wrongful death of a loved one, we explore the cause and launch our own investigation to ensure you are rightly compensated – especially if your bicycle crash was caused by a drunk, distracted or hit-and-run driver.

Contact Power Legal Group

Here at Power Legal Group, we are experienced in even the most complex cases with the most serious damages when it comes to bicycle accidents. Waiting to retain the services of a qualified bicycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles can be detrimental to your case. We encourage you to call us immediately at 800-323-POWER, and would be happy to answer all of your questions.