Bicycle accident lawsuits involve a combination of the elements you face in car accidents and in pedestrian accidents. The injuries sustained in a bike accident are often very severe and similar to pedestrian accident injuries. However, bicyclists are subject to more rules when riding and may not enjoy as much favor of the law as pedestrians when it comes to fault in the accident.
Bicycle laws are very inconsistent from one jurisdiction to the next. If you have been the victim of a bicycle accident, you need the help of an experienced bicycle accident attorney in your area who has in-depth knowledge of the local bicycle laws as well as experience handling cases which involve the types of injuries you have sustained.
Bicycle Accident Injuries
Serious and catastrophic injuries are common in bicycle accidents, especially collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles. Bicyclists are as vulnerable as pedestrians, but spend far more time in close interaction with other vehicles on the road. Helmets can prevent or minimize the severity of brain injuries, but the rest of your body is still unprotected and no match for a car. Common bicycle accident injuries include:
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Facial injuries
- Chest and abdominal injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Amputations
Challenges of Bicycle Accident Lawsuits
The continuing rise in popularity of bicycling as a primary mode of transportation means a sharp rise in bicycle accidents. The laws and even the roadways themselves are constantly changing as cities and municipalities try to find solutions that will make cycling safer and keep motorists happy, while meeting the practical need of protecting themselves from lawsuits from both sides in the process.
Public perception of cyclists can play a large role in your case. The popularity of cycling and the conflict over sharing the road has created a very emotional cultural divide. Many people still feel that roads are for cars and that choosing to ride a bike out in traffic is knowingly flirting with disaster.
In order to win your lawsuit your lawyer must make the jury understand the law, prove that you followed the law and overcome both prejudice and ignorance to win the jury’s sympathy.
Bicycle Accidents Which Do Not Involve a Motor Vehicle
The majority of bicycle accidents are not crashes with motor vehicles, but can still cause serious injuries. They are often the result of a defective bicycle or defective roadway. If that was the case in your accident, you may be able to recovery compensation from the:
- Bicycle manufacturer or seller
- Parts manufacturer or seller
- Repair shop
- Entity responsible for design, construction, and/or maintenance of the roadway