Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

Anchorage is a dangerous place for pedestrians and bicyclists. It was built for vehicles and the limited availability of bike lanes, shortage of pedestrian crossings and unpredictable weather conditions lead to a high number of serious, and sometimes deadly, accidents. When pedestrians and bicyclists collide with vehicles, the vehicle always wins.

Insurance companies typically make a settlement offer that they claim will cover the victim's losses. However, it is important to understand that your insurance company may not always have your best interests in mind. They are businesses first and foremost, which means that their goal is to pay out as little as they are legally obligated to do. It's true of the at-fault party's insurance company, too. In fact, insurance companies notoriously use manipulation and intimidation as ways to reduce or avoid settlement. 

An alternative to auto insurance settlement is filing a personal injury lawsuit. This process allows you the time needed to fully understand your current and future economic losses. It also allows you to compensate for one big hurdle in bicycle injury cases: the misconception of cyclists.

Cyclists are often believed to be reckless. Insurance companies assume cyclists do not follow the rules of the road like their driver counterparts. They will use these misconceptions to help build their case against you, and sometimes it can work because often it is your word against the other person's word. Bicyclists can, therefore, be intimidated and manipulated into accepting reduced settlement payouts.

In short, if you are a bicyclist or pedestrian who has been in a serious accident with a vehicle, it is in your interest to seek representation to determine what your rights are and how to make sure you are fully compensated for your injuries.