For Americans focused on health and wellness, cycling is a popular activity beneficial for them and the environment. Many also use it as their transportation, sharing the road with cars, buses, and other vehicles.
Unfortunately, accidents happen. When they happen between a car and a bike, they can be increasingly severe.
Cyclists, even those who wear protective gear, are vulnerable to extensive injuries when out on the road. This is because even at slow speeds, there is very little to protect them from bodily harm when in the midst of a collision.
Due to the high risk of catastrophic injury, if you or a loved one are involved in a cycling accident, it’s imperative that you seek legal aid as quickly as possible. In the weeks and months following a crash, a good lawyer can help guide you through the claims process so your case is as successful as possible.
Bikes have an interesting position in the legal landscape. While cyclists are vulnerable to many of the same injuries as a pedestrian, they are expected to exercise greater responsibility. This is due in large part to the fact that cyclists on the road are considered vehicles, driving in the same direction as traffic and abiding by the same rules.
The result of this is a challenge in determining liability in a bike crash. Depending on your state, cyclists who are at least partly to blame for the circumstances of their accident may no longer be eligible to receive compensation for their damages. These states are known as contributory negligence states.
If you do not live in a contributor negligence state, you may still be eligible to receive compensation even if you were partly at fault. However, understand that by contributing to the circumstances of the crash, your final amount of compensation might be greatly reduced.
Examples of cyclist negligence include:
While this list is non-exhaustive, it is important to speak with your attorney about the circumstances surrounding your accident so they can best defend your case.
Due to the lack of protection provided by bicycles, the injuries and damages of these accidents tend to be exceedingly severe. Among the most common injuries are:
From these injuries, individuals ultimately face many challenges in their day-to-day lives following a crash. These challenges and resulting expenses create the foundation for your damages claims, including the following:
Depending on the circumstances of your case and your prospects of recovery, you may be able to claim some, all, or even additional damages than what is listed above. As such, it’s integral to work with an attorney to build a case strategy that helps you receive the compensation you deserve.
Every accident is different. The only way to know what your case prospects are is to meet with an experienced attorney and discuss the details of your experience. Once the details of your case are known, your attorney will work to earn your compensation— a lifeline for many who are suffering from new and unexpected medical expenses and daily challenges.
Strickland Law Group offer a team of personal injury lawyers that can help evaluate your bike case and understand your legal options. This is true no matter where you live, as we are lawyers dedicated to serving individuals around the country.
We believe that our legal services performed benefit the greater good of individuals who have been injured. This gives us a drive and passion that allows us to eclipse the work performed by other lawyers as we fight for your case.
If you were injured and believe you have a claim, we encourage you to reach out to our legal team at (334) 269-3230 as quickly as possible to discuss your case.
