East Ridge Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bicycles have become common on the roadways, and most of the time, motor vehicles manage to share the road successfully with bicycles. Unfortunately, some motorists do not take the safety of bicyclists into consideration, even when the law requires them to do so. Bicycle accidents could result in serious and often fatal injuries, and those who cause accidents should be held liable for their actions or inaction.
If you or someone you love were injured in a bicycle accident, you may be able to obtain compensation for your pain and suffering. In general, the more serious your injuries are, the more compensation you might be able to obtain. No one should be left having to pay for his or her own injuries in the wake of an accident he or she is not responsible for.
Get in touch with an East Ridge bicycle accident lawyer and find out if you have a case today.
Driver Negligence and Cyclists
Both cyclists and motorists are required to follow the rules of the road. These rules include exercising ordinary care in regards to the safety of others and following local and state traffic laws. As with motor vehicle accidents, state and local traffic laws play a major role in determining liability after an accident.
If a cyclist chooses to sue a motorist for his or her accident injuries, the outcome of the lawsuit typically depends on two questions:
- Did the recklessness or negligence of the driver cause the accident and the resulting injuries to the bicyclist?
- Did the negligence of the bicyclist contribute to the accident at all?
Driver negligence might take a variety of forms. For example, running a stop sign, speeding, drifting into a bike lane, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol all constitute negligence in the eyes of the law. To prove a driver was negligent, an East Ridge bicycle accident lawyer must prove the defendant engaged in an action that violated his or her duty of care to the victim. If a driver breaks the law, any evidence of his or her action, such as a speeding ticket, would be admissible in court.
Bicyclist Negligence
Cyclist negligence may also determine the outcome of a lawsuit. For example, if bicyclist darts in front of a vehicle, runs a stop sign, drives the wrong way, or abruptly turns into traffic, he or she could be held liable for the accident. This means that victim would not be able to recover the compensation they ask for in court. Such negligence is referred to as comparative or contributory negligence, meaning the actions of the plaintiff contributed to the accident and his or her injuries.
Bicycle laws regarding children are slightly different than those regarding adults. Since children are unable to make adult decisions, motorists are expected to exercise a higher level of caution when driving near children on bicycles. Even if a child engages in negligent behavior, it may still be possible to hold a driver liable for any injuries sustained.
Discuss Your Case With an East Ridge Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you know was injured in a bicycle accident, you may be wondering what steps to take next. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries in a civil court, even if no criminal charges have been filed against the responsible driver.
Discuss the details of your case today with an East Ridge bicycle accident lawyer near you.
