Liability for Injuries in Bicycle Accident Claims

Bicycles may be the safest modes of transportation on the planet, but they are not exempt from accidents.  Every year, hundreds of bike-related accidents happen in the US and it can be caused either by the driver of the other vehicle or the cyclist himself. If you love biking, you should have at least an idea when you are liable for an accident and when you are not so that you will know when you should call for an accident lawyer.

Cyclist Negligence

Even though the bicycle is not a very fast mode of transportation, bicycle drivers are still expected to follow the rules of the street. The failure of the cyclist to follow the rules on the street is considered negligence and could make or break the case for a cyclist if he sues a driver of another vehicle for his injuries after an accident with such vehicle. If a negligent cyclist gets injured because of the accident he caused, he may not be compensated for his medical bills or damage to his property.

A cyclist can also be held liable if his negligence caused another person to get injured. For example, if a cyclist beats the red light and causes an incoming car to swerve and hit a pedestrian, the bicycle driver has to pay for the injuries of the injured pedestrian because in this case, he is the negligent party.

Driver Recklessness or Negligence

Driver negligence refers to drivers of automobiles who do not follow the street laws and cause accidents to somebody else. In case of accidents that involve bicycles, the negligent driver who hits or was hit by a bicycle could be liable for the entire accident. If the driver has been cited a violation ticket that day prior to the accident, that ticket could be used as evidence against him.

Clear negligence of a driver comes in many forms, for example if they drive on designated bike lanes to avoid traffic, or run the red light.  These things could easily win the case for the bicycle rider especially if the bicycle driver has photographic or video proof of the aftermath.

The Importance of Having an Accident Lawyer

If a bicycle is suing a car owner or is being sued because of an accident it was involved in, it is important to have a reliable accident lawyer to help them win the case. The law of the land is not always straightforward. They sometimes meander around so that it’s difficult for regular citizens sometimes to get their heads on them. Accident lawyers can help you get compensated for your injuries caused by an accident. Conversely, they can also help you lessen the liability if you are the responsible party of an accident. Many lawyers provide free consultation services that are helpful when you don’t have lots of money.

Accidents happen, no matter how careful you are, even if you are riding a very safe mode of transportation like a bicycle. If you know whether you are liable or not for the accident, you will be helping your accident lawyer win your case.

Compensation for Slip and Fall Injury in Others’ Property

You may think that a slip and fall accident may seem minor, but most of the time this type of accidents can cause more severe injury than those attained in a vehicular accident. Bone fractures, breaks, and torn ligaments are just a few examples of the serious bodily damage caused by falling. This is especially bad for senior citizens because if they attain a hip injury, it is difficult to heal and repair without surgery. Slips and falls happen mostly inside homes or business premises.

The responsibility of property owners

One of the responsibilities of property owners is to keep their premises clean and safe to avoid accidents that could injure their visitors. If you have been injured in a slip or fall in another person’s property because of their irresponsibility, it is possible to be compensated for the full amount you have spent in the hospital, the medicines and the treatments, and are compensated for the income you lost because of the said injury.

What to do when you slip and fall in a property

If you have sustained injury in a fall at someone else’s property, you should contact an accident lawyer and get legal advice. Often, the property owner will try to remove the evidence of their fault by repairing the poor conditions of their property or do other stuff to conceal the evidence of their negligence or wrongdoing.

In order to win your case, your attorney should prove that there was negligence on the part of the owner of the property. That is why your accident lawyer should show enough proof that the poor condition of the property caused your injury. That’s where you can help by taking photos of the reason for the accident or see if there are people around you know that you can call as a witness. This is because more often than not, property owners will always try to protect themselves instead of being responsible for your suffering.

What to do if you don’t have an accident lawyer

Lawyers often have their own expertise. Some are focused for example on immigration while others focus on other legal aspects.  Accident lawyers are your best choice when it comes to being compensated for injuries caused by other people’s negligence. The internet is a good place to find accident lawyers who may provide free consultation.

Accidents happen anytime and anywhere when we least expect it.  If you are injured in a grocery store or a gym because of someone else’s fault, it is your right to be compensated for the injury, but you have to act fast. Get legal help from an accident lawyer that you can trust without delay.