Tuesday, November 8, 2011

5 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Bicycle Crash or Accident Attorney

As an attorney that handles a large caseload of personal injury cases that stem from bicycle crashes or collisions, I'm asked a large variety of questions by clients. I often tell clients about the questions I would ask if I was "on the other side of the desk" and looking for an attorney to represent me. Here are the 5 Questions I would ask an attorney before retaining them in a personal injury case:

  1. How long have you been practicing in the field of personal injury law? The attorneys at Keating Law Offices have years of experience handling personal injury cases, specifically bicycle-related cases. No two cases are the same, and having a wealth of experience to rely on is often the key to a successful resolution to a case.
  2. If necessary, are you prepared to take my case to trial? Many attorneys who hold themselves out as "trial lawyers" rarely, if ever, take their cases to trial. Attorney Mike Keating was recently named a "Rising Star" by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine for his record of winning at trial.
  3. Are you familiar with the traffic laws for bicyclists? In the past 5 years Illinois and many of the municipalities, especially the City of Chicago, have enacted new laws that directly impact bicyclists. Attorney Mike Keating has directly lobbied local and state governments as an advocate for bicyclists' rights. As a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers' Associations' Legislative Committe, Attorney Keating ensured that there is always a voice for injured cyclists within the organization.
  4. Do you specialize in personal injury? Again, while many attorneys may work on some personal injury cases, the attorneys at Keating Law Offices only work on personal injury cases.
  5. Do you ride a bike? What may sound like a silly question is actually very important. Only riders know what it feels like to ride in a crowded urban or suburban environment. An understanding of the "ins and outs" of bike riding can make the difference in successfully handling a case.

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@KeatingLegal.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free.