South Memphis Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Riding your bike around town should not result in injuries. Unfortunately, that is the reality for many people. Bicyclists often suffer life-threatening injuries, but some can walk away with minor cuts and bruises or unharmed. 

If you were in a bicycle accident, you must schedule a consultation with a South Memphis personal injury lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC. 

Where Bicycle Accidents Occur in South Memphis

Bicycle accidents can occur anywhere in South Memphis, whether you are downtown or in a suburban neighborhood. The city has consistently grown yearly, leading to more cyclists and pedestrians. Walking and riding are excellent transportation options, with everything within walking or riding distance. 

Unfortunately, there has also been an increase in pedestrian and cycling fatalities across Shelby County. Aside from drivers, another danger that bicyclists face is the city’s infrastructure. It is not conducive to safe riding. 

Bicycle accidents are prevalent on major roads and downtown. Throughout Memphis, the most dangerous roads are:

• Riverside Drive
• Riverdale road
• Front street
• Winchester road 
• Monroe avenue 
• Danny Thomas boulevard 
• Kirby parkway

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in South Memphis 

Drivers, potholes, and the weather can lead to bicycle accidents. There are many challenges and dangers in South Memphis, and the parties who cause these hazards must be held responsible. Before you can seek compensation, you must determine the cause of the accident. 

The most common causes our bicycle accident lawyers in South Memphis see are:

• Drunk driving 
• Inattention 
• Fatigue 
• Dooring incidents 
• Following too closely 
• Defective bike parts
• Defective vehicle parts 
• Speeding 
• Neglected roadways 
• Cars in bike lanes
• Cars refusing to share the road 

Bicycle Accident Injuries 

Wearing a helmet and other safety gear can help prevent injuries, but when a bicycle is struck by a car, it can result in severe or life-threatening injuries. Some bicyclists do walk away uninjured. It is essential to get medical attention to determine the extent of your injuries and provide evidence for your bicycle accident claim. Our bicycle accident attorneys will work tirelessly to help you get the justice you deserve and help you through the healing process. 

The most prevalent injuries in bicycle accidents are:

• Broken bones
• Lacerations and bruises 
• Brain injury 
• Paralysis 
• Spinal cord injury 
• Burns 
• Whiplash
• Disfiguration 
• Amputation 
• Internal organ damage 
• Head and neck injuries 

Mental Trauma from a Bicycle Accident 

Physical injuries are apparent, but the psychological turmoil that a bicycle accident leads to is less obvious but equally significant. Your mental anguish can stay with you far after your physical injuries heal. Mental trauma can take many forms, including:

• Depression 
• Anxiety
• Nightmares
• Accident flashbacks
• Mood swings
• Memory loss
• Difficulty sleeping 
• PTSD
• Fatigue 
• Loss of enjoyment 

Who You Can Sue for Your Losses

After a bicycle accident, many cyclists wonder if they have a case and who they can take legal action against. Tennessee has at-fault laws, so the person that caused the collision will be responsible for damages that result. You can ask yourself a few questions to decide if you have a case. 

Did you suffer an injury? Was the accident someone else’s fault? If you have already accepted a settlement from the insurance company, you cannot file a claim, but if you have not, you have options. 

Now is the best time to speak to a bicycle accident lawyer in South Memphis, TN. Anyone who contributed to or caused the accident can be accountable for paying your accident-related expenses. A South Memphis bicycle accident attorney will investigate the accident and determine who to sue for your losses. 

Entities that can be held liable for a South Memphis bicycle accident include:

• The driver who struck you 
• Another cyclist who caused a crash 
• A government agency that fails to maintain the road contributes to a collision 
• Entities in charge of the design or installation of an unsafe bike lane

You Can Seek Compensation

If you suffer an injury from a bicycle accident, you can seek compensation for your losses. You can recover economic and non-economic damages from the driver or third party that caused you harm. Some of the damages that your bicycle accident attorney in South Memphis, TN, will request include the following:

• Medical bills: these costs are extensive and comprise most of an accident claim. You can seek compensation for hospitalizations, rehabilitation services, therapies, and long-term medical expenses. 
• Lost wages: if you suffer an injury, you will miss work to get treatment or cannot work from the severity of your injuries. You should be reimbursed for those losses. 
• Loss of future earnings: if you suffer a permanent injury after a bicycle accident, it can result in the inability to work again. You can request compensation for the loss of future earnings if you cannot work or you must take a lower-paying position.  

Take Prompt Action After a South Memphis Bicycle Accident

Taking prompt action after a bike accident in South Memphis is advisable. Deadlines will come quickly, and when those deadlines pass, so do your chances of recovering compensation. 

Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitation for bicycle accidents. That means you have one year to file a lawsuit requesting monetary damages. Refrain from delaying taking legal action by speaking with a South Memphis bicycle accident attorney immediately. 

Prompt action also means the investigation can happen sooner and evidence is accessible. 

Call Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC Today 

Bicycle accidents can be life-changing, and you should take legal action against negligent parties. For over 40 years, Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, has helped injured people recover compensation and get justice after an accident. We will fight for a fair settlement amount for you. 

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our South Memphis bicycle accident lawyer, and let us fight for you.