Bay Shore Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The aftermath of a bicycle accident may necessitate intense medical treatment, as the impact from a motor vehicle on a vulnerable cyclist can be devastating. If you were injured while riding your bike, a skilled personal injury attorney could help you file a claim against the parties responsible for causing the accident which led to your injuries.
A seasoned Bay Shore bicycle accident lawyer may be able to handle any subsequent legal matters on your behalf while you focus on physical and emotional recovery. Getting professional guidance during litigation could be substantially beneficial to your case.
Compensation for Biking Injuries
Cyclists have very little protection from larger, heavier, and faster motor vehicles which have airbags, seatbelts, and steel frames to keep their occupants safe. Bike riders are therefore more likely to sustain significant injuries in a collision involving a car.
Injuries sustained in a bicycle accident may require comprehensive and lengthy medical treatment. Bicyclists have a greater risk of suffering permanent impairments which may prevent them from returning to work or carrying out regular daily activities. When someone else’s negligence causes an accident which leads to injuries, bicyclists may be able to claim various forms of damages, including the following:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of income and future earning capacity
Additionally, the courts may award punitive damages in particularly egregious cases involving intentionally reckless conduct. An experienced Bay Shore bicycle accident attorney could help determine the value of your losses and advocate for adequate compensation on your behalf.
How is Liability Determined in a Bicycle Accident Case?
Motor vehicle operators are required by law to drive in a way that keeps other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists safe from foreseeable harm. A driver who causes an accident and subsequent injuries to a bike rider could be held liable for breaching this legal duty of care. However, an at-fault driver may allege that a cyclist violated traffic laws and therefore contributed to their injuries.
How Does Comparative Fault Apply in Bike Crash Cases?
Like motor vehicle drivers, bicyclists are legally obligated to operate their bikes safely and obey all pertinent traffic rules and regulations. In some cases, a bike rider may sustain injuries in an accident for which they are partially responsible. For example, if they fail to halt at a stop sign or red traffic light and collide with a motor vehicle that is speeding through an intersection, the cyclist may share some degree of fault for the accident.
Fortunately, Bay Shore adheres to state comparative fault laws, which allow bicyclists to recover damages from negligent motorists even if they bear some responsibility for their accident, depending on the circumstances. However, a bicyclist who is partially responsible for their injuries would have their compensation limited.
For instance, if they are 25 percent at fault for their accident, they may only seek compensation for 75 percent of their losses. In other words, a partially responsible cyclist would have their compensatory award reduced in proportion to their assigned percentage of fault. A diligent bicycle accident lawyer in Bay Shore could help determine the potential recovery for an injured claimant.
Consult a Bay Shore Bicycle Accident Attorney for Legal Advice
Speaking with a Bay Shore bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible would increase your chances of success in a civil suit. Working with a strong legal advocate during a bicycle accident claim may be the most effective means of securing the financial support that you need during this challenging time. Call today, and let qualified legal counsel help alleviate your legal burdens.
