Can You Sue for a Bicycle Injury?
One usually doesn’t think of bicycles in a legal context. After all, they are non-motorized and sometimes very light vehicles that mostly stick to sidewalks, parks and town roads. However, in recent years, many serious bicycle injuries have led to lawsuits. The majority of these cases involve someone in a big car, truck or van overstepping the rights of bicyclists to inhabit the same road.
Bicycle Accidents—A Major Problem in a Fast World
Drivers often ignore bicyclists and perform dangerous passing movements, believing they will clear these small vehicles without effort. Furthermore, many cyclists are severely injured or even killed when motorists make common traffic mistakes. Just a simple action as tailgating or running a red light can result in a fatal or near-fatal injury for a bicyclist. And yet, the same traffic incident might barely cause a fender-bender for two cars.
When a bicycle accident happens, the injured person has the right to contact an attorney and perhaps pursue a legal recourse. If the cyclist was hit by a car, truck or van, and the accident was not his or her fault; a personal injury suit can be filed. In addition, an attorney can sue a bicycle manufacturer for defective parts, or the city or a construction company for an unsafe road.
Alarming Statistics of Bicycle Accidents
What is truly alarming is that many of these collisions could have been prevented if drivers had not been driving recklessly, or been distracted with cell phones or media players. Some drivers bear responsibility for speeding or perhaps even drunk driving. Cycling is common to many people, including children (many of whom are severely hurt because of car collisions), sports athletes, and commuters who bike to work.
In the United States alone, over 500,000 people are treated in emergency rooms because of bicycle wrecks, and 700 of these injured ones will die. The rate for young bicyclists suffering death or injury is estimated to be 50% of all injuries or more. By all legal precedents throughout the U.S., a bicycle has the right to the same road as any motorists. One of the very first things you learn upon studying for the driving test is to safely interact with and avoid bicycles!
You Have a Right to Compensation!
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you may have a legitimate claim.. It is imperative that you seek out the advice of an attorney, particularly one who handles bicycle accident cases. If you have been offered a settlement or any sort of “gift” be sure to talk to a lawyer that has worked on these cases before, so that it can be determined if you are getting a fair deal in compensation. You could be entitled to medical bills, pain and suffering, rehabilitative costs, and loss of income, or loss of companionship, if the accident led to the death of a family member.
At Dixon Law Office. we have the experience to get you the compensation you deserve for your bicycle accident injury case. We have decades of experience in the courtroom representing victims in bicycle crashes. And, Dixon Law Office founder, G. Grant Dixon III, is an avid cyclist as well. Call Dixon Law Office today at 888-354-9880 or go to our website. We are Attorneys Making It Right for you.
