Arlington Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Arlington is known for its beautiful trails and parks. It makes the perfect spot for bicycle enthusiasts who enjoy the scenery. More bicyclists on the road can lead to an increased chance of accidents.

If you or a loved one were involved in a bicycle accident, you deserve to fight for your rights and any damage. An Arlington personal injury lawyer can help you through the process. You should not have to try and go through the process alone.

The Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes

Now that you have some perspective on how often bicycle accidents happen, why are there so many? There are several common scenarios. Some of them are:

Failure to Yield

Failing to yield the right of way is one of the common causes of bike accidents. A bicyclist and a motor vehicle who share a lane can often lead to an accident if they do not follow the roadway rules. An example could be when a two-lane road is merging, and a bicyclist shows his turn signal, but the motorist does not slow down and collides with the bicyclist.

Rear-Ending

This is one of the most common accidents, but it can be even more dangerous when a bicycle is involved. A rear-ended bicycle crash happens when a motorist or bicyclist does not leave a safe distance between each other, and a collision occurs. This type of accident can be serious or even fatal if the person behind the other is going too fast.

Speeding

A motorist speeding may not see a bicyclist. When they see the bicyclist, they can lose control and cause a collision. The motorist can try hard to stop, but depending on how fast they are going, they may be unable to. Traveling at a high speed reduces the reaction time and the ability to avoid a crash.

Distracted Driving

Unfortunately, distracted driving leads to countless crashes. This could be a motorist using their cell phone, other passengers looking in the mirror, changing the radio, or something else in their vehicle. When a bicyclist is sharing the roadway, it can be easy for a motorist not to notice when they are not paying attention and cause a collision.

Dooring

As a driver gets out of the vehicle, they may not think to look in the rearview mirror and make sure nobody is in the path of their door opening. This leads to many bicycle crashes. While some may not think this is negligent, a motorist must always check to ensure nobody is in the way. You can be at fault for this.

Common Liability Concerns After a Bicycle Accident

You can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit when involved in a bicycle incident with a motorist. If you sustained injuries, you should not overlook these options.

Because Tennessee is a fault state, drivers in an accident need to file a claim with their insurance company. personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. This means that the damages will be covered.

What to Do If You Have a Bodily Injury

You can file a claim with the motor vehicle driver’s insurance company. If the motorist lacks coverage, you can file a bodily injury lawsuit. If you need to file a lawsuit for compensation for an injury, you must prove that you have a permanent injury, disfigurement, significant impairment, or wrongful death.

You must also prove the following:

• The driver was obligated to protect you from harm.
• Your injuries were because of the driver’s negligence.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

A bicycle accident can range from minor to severe injuries. Unfortunately, most bicycle accident injuries resulting from a car collision tend to be more serious. Some of the most common bicycle accident injuries include:

• Bruises and scratches
• Road rash or wounds from skidding on the road
• Torn ligaments
• Broken bones
• Dental injuries
• Brain injuries
• Impairment of function involving your limbs
• Internal bleeding from a collision
• Paralysis

Talk to a bicycle accident attorney in Arlington for help.

Road Construction and Road Defects

Construction is inevitable, but traffic safety should be a top priority. Towns and cities must create a maintenance and traffic plan before they begin roadwork. Pedestrians and bicyclists need to be aware of any hazards during road construction.

When Road Construction Causes Bicycle Accidents

A contractor must maintain, install, and furnish traffic control devices as the construction takes place. Most cities have particular standards for traffic or maintenance during road repair. Usually, the following must happen:

• Pedestrians and bicyclists should be separated from motorists whenever it can be possible.
• Bicyclists must have an advanced warning of an upcoming construction zone.
• Bicyclists need warning about any potential surface irregularities.

Common Road Defects that Can Lead to Bicycle Accidents

When you think of a road defect, you may think of a large crack or pothole. While those are common, they are not the only type of road defect you should know. Other common road defects are:

• Inadequate lighting
• Street signs facing the wrong way
• Uneven pavement
• Missing signs or pavement
• Narrow, soft, or missing shoulders
• Overgrown vegetation
• Broken or missing guardrails or barriers
• Debris in the way like rocks, gravel, or branches.

Any of the above could easily cause a bicycle accident. With devastating injuries, you deserve to focus on your healing and not the insurance company. Let an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Arlington help.

Our Arlington Bicycle Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Help Build Your Case

Whether your bicycle accident happened because of a vehicle, road construction, or a road defect, our Arlington bicycle accident attorneys are eager to help. You do not deserve to live with your injury without seeking justice, let alone pay for the damages yourself. Contact us to start with a free consultation.