Cycling is always a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but the experience can be quickly ruined if you are involved in an accident. Several factors can contribute to a bicycle accident, including negligence on the part of another driver, dangerous road conditions, or defective bike equipment. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may sustain minor injuries or more serious ones that require extensive medical treatment. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, it is important to understand your legal rights and options. This includes determining who is liable for your injuries and whether you should hire a lawyer to help you with your case.
Common Bicycle Accident Causes
Bicycle accidents can occur in several ways, and it’s not always the fault of the cyclist. One common cause is when a car driver fails to yield the right of way to a cyclist, causing a collision. Other causes include drivers opening their doors into cyclists, making turns without signalling, or rear-ending a cyclist. In some cases, poor road conditions can also contribute to bicycle accidents. This might include potholes, cracks in the pavement, debris in the road, or insufficient lighting. If a municipality is aware of these dangerous conditions and does not take steps to fix them, they may be held liable if an accident occurs. Injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious ones like broken bones, concussions, and even spinal cord injuries. Ultimately, the severity of your injuries will affect the amount of damages you are able to recover in your lawsuit.
Proving Negligence and Determining Liability
If you believe another party is at fault for your accident, you will need to prove negligence in order to recover damages. In the context of a bicycle accident, this might mean a driver who was not paying attention to the road or acted in such a way that they put you in harm’s way. This is when it can be helpful to have a lawyer on your side. It’s crucial to note that you will likely need to prove the other party’s negligence in order to recover damages, and this can be a complex process. The bike accident lawyers at Riddle & Brantley in North Carolina are best suited to investigate your case and build a strong argument on your behalf.
Generally, the party who is found to be at fault for an accident will be liable for the resulting damages. This means that if a driver hit you while you were riding your bike, they would be responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. In some cases, multiple parties may be held liable for an accident. For instance, depending on your state, comparative negligence laws may come into play if you were partially at fault for the accident.
Conclusion
Based on the circumstances of your case, you may decide to handle the claims process on your own or hire a lawyer to assist you. Hiring a lawyer is not always required, but it may be highly beneficial, especially if you have sustained serious injuries or if the liable party is disputing your claim. You will likely need to prove that the other party was negligent, and an attorney is your best chance of doing so.
