Hamilton County Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Riding a bicycle is an excellent recreational activity as well as a low-cost and eco-friendly way to travel. Sharing the road with vehicles does, however, put bicyclists at risk of being seriously or fatally injured. Bicycle accidents – specifically those involving collisions with vehicles – are tragic scenarios with greater harm almost always suffered by the individual on two wheels.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident on a local road, then considering contacting a Hamilton County bicycle accident lawyer. While you recover from your injuries, a personal injury attorney may be able to conduct an in-depth investigation into how the accident happened and begin work on a civil suit for compensation. You may be eligible for compensation even if the accident was partly your fault, such as if you disregarded a stop sign or were not riding in a designated bike lane.
State Bicycle Laws
Bicyclists in Tennessee are considered “vehicles” under state law and are required to abide by the same laws that apply to motorists. Following a collision with a vehicle, a Hamilton County bicycle accident lawyer may have to demonstrate that a victim followed the rules of the road while the operator of the motor vehicle did not.
The following state laws applicable to bicyclists include:
- A bicyclist must remain on the right side of the road or in a designated bike lane except in some circumstances, such as to avoid an object in the road or take a left-hand turn. TENN. CODE § 55-8-175.
- A bicycle is permitted to carry only as many people as it was designed to. TENN. CODE § 55-8-173.
- Bicyclists must use hand signals when either turning or stopping to alert motorists what they are doing. TENN. CODE § 55-8-173.
- Bicyclists are allowed to ride two abreast, at most. Otherwise, they must ride single file. TENN. CODE § 55-8-175.
Motorists, for their part, are obligated to remain at least three feet away from bicyclists when passing them on the road and yield to bicyclists (and pedestrians) in all crosswalks.
Comparative Negligence & Bicyclist Fault
It may be the case that a Hamilton County bicycle accident lawyer is hired to represent an injured bicyclist who might have been partly responsible for causing the accident. Some might wonder whether a bicyclist is able to obtain compensation if fault is shared between him or her and the driver of the motor vehicle that hit him or her. The answer is yes – but only in accordance with state law on comparative negligence.
Consider a Hamilton County bicycle accident attorney who is able to show that a victim sustained $100,000 worth of damages (medical bills and lost wages, for example) because of an accident. If the victim was also found to be 40 percent at fault, his or her $100,000 damage award likely is reduced by 40 percent – leaving him or her with $60,000 in compensation. In Tennessee, a bicyclist who is found to have been 50 percent or more at fault is deemed ineligible for any compensation at all.
Learn More by Contacting a Hamilton County Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
A weekend bike ride or a bicycle commute to work has the potential to be all too easily be interrupted by a collision with a motor vehicle – leaving you or someone you love with serious injuries and many questions about your legal rights and options. Fortunately, help is available from a Hamilton County bicycle accident lawyer. Contact a lawyer today for information on whether you might be eligible for compensation.
