Going After Fair Compensation After a Bicycle Accident
Personal injury deserves personal attention. Since every case is so unique, the damages you suffer should be reflected in your settlement or lawsuit. Still, we’ve seen some overlap among the different losses victims of bicycle accidents can recoup. They tend to include the following:
- Medical expenses for past and future care: If you require surgery, pain medication, X-rays or MRIs, medical devices, and physical therapy, as well as follow-up appointments and transportation
- Loss of income: If you were unable to earn your hourly pay, salary, tips, bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits while you were recovering from your injuries, including any missed employment opportunities
- Future loss of earning power: If it is not possible to return to work or at least work a full day
- Pain and suffering: If your injuries inflict pain, discomfort, and inconvenience
- Disfigurement and scarring: If your injuries have limited your mobility or changed your appearance
- Mental anguish and emotional distress: If your mental and emotional health has suffered because of the trauma of the Alabama bicycle accident and your injuries
Other damages we haven’t listed here may also be available to you. Our Alabama bicycle accident attorney can review the details of your case and help ensure you receive what you need and deserve to move forward. Reach out to the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown today to learn more.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
AL Code § 32-5A-260 affirms that all traffic laws and rights also apply to bicyclists, so to avoid taking the blame in a crash, the at-fault party may point the finger at you for causing the accident. Under the contributory negligence doctrine in Alabama, even if the injured party is one percent responsible for the crash, they will not qualify for damages. Our team will protect your rights and show how the other party was negligent.
According to AL Code § 32-5A-82, drivers must create a safe distance—no less than three feet—between themselves and the bicyclists when passing or following them. This is all roads where the speed limit is 45 miles per hour or less, and there are no double lines. Still, the driver might fail to yield or get too close to the bicyclist and strike them. Other ways a bicycle crash may occur include:
- Failing to check a blind spot
- Distracted driving
- Opening the door without checking for bicyclists
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Road defects
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Drunk driving
- Poor left turns
- Unsafe merging or lane change
- Failing to follow traffic signals
Sometimes, a different party could be to blame for the bicycle accident, like another road user or a government entity. Multiple parties could even bear fault. In any case, our Alabama lawyer can figure out who contributed to the bike crash and hold them accountable based on their percentage of responsibility.
Our Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You Adhere to the Deadline
It’s important to not let the time get away from you after you’re hurt in an Alabama bicycle accident. The statute of limitations, AL Code § 6-2-38, allows up to two years from the day of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to comply with this time limit will give the judge license to refuse to hear your case. As a result, you won’t have any leverage to compel the liable party to pay your damages.
That’s why involving our bicycle accident lawyer in Alabama soon after the crash can help ensure you won’t have any issues missing the deadline.
