Q & A

As is the case with most legal questions, the answer is it depends.  The most time-consuming part of the claim process is the time it takes to gather all your medical records.  Once medical care is completed and we know the full extent of your injuries, however, this process usually moves pretty quickly.  Once we have reviewed and analyzed all the medical records and are sure we understand every aspect of your case, we file the claim.  From there, claims are usually resolved in a matter of weeks.

If you were injured in a biking accident, you may be entitled to compensation. In Utah, this compensation can be significant and should pay for your medical expenses related to the accident, any wages you have lost from not being able to work your regular schedule, the pain and suffering caused by your injuries, and any damage to your bike and gear.

An experienced biking attorney can help make sure you get all the compensation to which you are entitled. When you are involved in a biking accident, the insurance company for the other person involved in the accident will try to pay you as little as possible. Experienced adjusters and lawyers are working for the insurance company, and their goal is to keep the company’s costs down by paying you less. An experienced biking accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference in getting you all the compensation to which Utah law entitles you.

An experienced biking attorney will also help you deal with subrogation issues to minimize the amount of money you may have to pay to your healthcare providers and insurance company. Very few people understand subrogation issues, which are involved in almost every personal injury case. A good attorney can make sure you don’t get blindsided by this.

Experienced injury attorneys in Salt Lake City know how this process works. The law entitles you to a fair outcome, and your attorney will make sure that you get everything you deserve.

A good attorney knows how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies and, if necessary to get the best result, will take your case to court.

Your attorney will handle all the time-consuming details involved in pursuing your claim, including the paperwork and phone calls. You can use your time and energy to focus on healing from your injuries and moving forward.

Once he obtains a recovery for you, a good biking attorney will also help you deal with subrogation claims from your healthcare providers and insurance company, which can rob you of your recovery.

Mediation is one of the most effective options for settling legal disputes for several reasons. Disputes that are heard or evaluated in open court are final rulings that cannot be changed in most instances. Arbitration likewise can be a legal process that ends in undesired permanent results for both parties in some circumstances. The finality of both of these legal remedies can be avoided when disputes are settled in mediation, but it is important to remember that having experienced representation from legal professionals like Hoole & King mediators in Salt Lake City UT from the beginning of negotiations is vital for an acceptable result.

The Mediation Process

While it is not absolutely necessary to have legal counsel in a mediation process, it is assuredly an advantage. Mediation is a discussion between opposing parties who are trying to avoid litigation by arriving at an agreement on their disputed issues. The negotiation is private, and the only stated result will be an enforceable contractual agreement between the parties. It is informal, but a novice party is at a real disadvantage when the other litigant has an attorney who is focused on the best possible agreement for their client.

How Your Attorney Helps Your Case

Contracts resulting from mediation are binding agreements that the courts will honor even if the consideration provides more leverage for one party. This can apply with business relationships as well as divorcing couples who have unique circumstances that require legal input. Mediation is actually a current primary tool for divorcing couples in most states, and the court systems now encourage mediation for producing an amiable and effective divorce decree. The same principle applies in business disputes in most cases, but the best way to protect your personal interest in any enforceable agreement is by retaining solid legal counsel throughout the process who is focused on protecting all of your legal rights.

Anyone in Utah who is in need of conflict resolution should call Hoole & King mediators in Salt Lake City UT for a full evaluation of your case mediation potential.

Alternative dispute resolution can be incredibly helpful in some situations. It is important to know, however, whether it will actually work for you. Though it is often recommended by many, the truth is that alternative dispute resolution is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. If you are curious, you might want to consider whether your particular situation fits the mold for this type of solution. Below are three questions that the attorneys at Hoole & King think you should ask before meeting with Salt Lake City mediators.

Do You Want or Need to Continue a Relationship?

One of the most important reasons to consider alternative dispute resolution is the relationship that you have with the other party. If you are interested in continuing that relationship, or if you will be required to stay in contact with the other party, pursuing alternative dispute resolution might be the best move for you. If you never have to see the other party again, though, you may want to pursue things through more traditional methods.

Do Your Prefer a Unique Solution?

Are you looking for a solution that will not generally be found in the courts? If you are considering a traditional solution to your problem, you should note that the courts can only provide certain types of relief. If you pursue alternative dispute resolution, though, you will have more freedom to decide upon your outcome.

Is it Safe for You to Pursue?

You should also consider whether it is safe for you to pursue alternative dispute resolution. You may not want to be in the same room with the other party to resolve your dispute. There may also be other issues that make it unwise for you to pursue your activities outside of the courtroom. Always make sure that you have chosen a legal strategy that keeps you safe.

Finally, you will want to consult with an attorney about dealing with Salt Lake City mediators. While alternative dispute resolution does not technically require the assistance of an attorney, those who have representation do tend to have more support. If you are ready to consider mediation or any other form of dispute resolution, make sure to talk to the attorneys at Hoole & King.

More people throughout Utah are cycling for fun, exercise, and transportation. While cyclists in Utah have the same legal road rights and obligations as vehicles, the two remain at odds. From speed and physical protection differences to distracted driving, cyclists are at great risk of accident and injury. If you need help determining cycling laws or you have been injured in a cycling accident, it is always best to seek advice from Utah biking injury attorneys.

Statistics show that vehicle-on-bicycle crashes have steadily risen across the nation over the last decade as drivers have more distractions and more and more people are hitting the roadways on bicycles.

Loss of balance, mechanical mishaps, hitting a curb at the wrong angle, and other user errors can all lead to bicycle accidents, but most serious accidents occur between vehicles and bicycles. Here are the top three common vehicle-on-bike accident scenarios:

1. The Door Prize or Door Jam

Vehicle drivers or passengers normally do not check for oncoming traffic before opening their vehicle door. An oncoming cyclist (in this case, from the rear) cannot react to the sudden obstacle and crashes into the vehicle door. For the cyclist, it is akin to a front-end collision impact. The result can be broken bones, traumatic head injuries, road rash, and sprains or strains.

2. The Right Crossover

A cyclist is crossing the opening of a side street, driveway, alleyway, or other opening into a main roadway. A vehicle from one of those openings is attempting to enter the main roadway where the cyclist is traveling. The vehicle may be moving forward or in reverse. Either way, the vehicle fails to see the cyclist already on the path and crashes into the cyclist. The result can bone, soft tissue, and organ injuries from the crushing impact or the fall from the bike.

3. The Left Crossover

This is perhaps one of the most dangerous vehicle-on-bike accident scenarios. A cyclist is crossing an intersection. A vehicle traveling in the opposite direction makes a left-hand turn in front of the cyclist’s path. The vehicle strikes the left side of the cyclist or the cyclist may collide with the right side of the vehicle. Aside from the impact and fall risks of injury, the angle of this scenario leaves the cyclist at the increased risk of having a body part in line with being run over and crushed by the vehicle’s tires.

Hoole & King offers legal aid to victims of bicycle accidents where a driver’s negligence, carelessness, or recklessness resulted in your injury and losses. Call us today for a free legal consultation. We will help you determine how to proceed and collect the compensation you are rightly due.

For more information about common bicycle accidents and other safety issues, visit our Staying Safe While Biking page.