In recent years, many more urban dwellers have turned to biking to get around congested cities and studies suggest the trend will only increase. The result is more and more bikes sharing narrow roadways with cars and trucks. Accidents are bound to happen, but it can be hard to know how to recover compensation when you’re involved in an auto accident on a bike. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions when it comes to getting your just dues following such an accident.
How Common Are Bike vs Car Accidents?
Though tens of thousands of biking accidents occur a year, roughly 12 percent of them are believed to involve a car. Causes range from distracted drivers to confusion at busy intersections. Other common causes include:
- Failure to yield
- Drivers suddenly opening car doors
- Cars riding in bike lanes
Can I Sue?
One of the most common questions after a bike vs. car accident is can I sue. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to prove just who was at fault in a bike accident with a car. But it’s not impossible. When filing suit against a perceived negligent driver, be prepared to work with an attorney to outline extremely specific details of the incident, including the exact laws you believe were broken that lead to the incident. Just like a typical auto accident, damages from a suit of this nature can cover things like medical bills, lost wages and personal stress.
Who Can I Sue?
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
As with any auto accident suit, an injured bike rider should plan on directing their suit at the negligent parties. When it comes to a bike accident, however, determining who was negligent can be tricky. Liable parties could include drivers distracted by things like cell phones or personal grooming, bike manufacturers, property owners who failed to maintain sidewalks, and more. An attorney can help you sort it out.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
A bike accident can seem less important than a traditional car accident, but the truth is it can be just as devastating with an even wider range of potential lawsuit targets. It’s important to contact a personal injury attorney experienced with bike accidents to determine who all should be sued and get you all of the damages you’re entitled to.
Bike accidents are common and only increasing with more people looking to use bikes in busy cities. If you’ve been injured contact a bike accident lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah with bike accident experience to learn just what you may be owed.
Thanks to Rasmussen & Miner for their insight into personal injury claims and common questions about bike accidents.
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