Buffalo Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Whether biking to work in the city or biking for fun on the weekend, bicycles are an important mode of transpiration for thousands. Bikes and cars often share certain spaces, and accidents are not unheard of.
Many bike lanes run alongside busy lanes of vehicle traffic, and crashes and collisions happen when drivers do not look out for bikers. If you were hit by a car while riding your bike, you can file a lawsuit against the driver for your damages. The driver who hit you, and anyone else who contributed to the accident, can be held liable. Your recoverable damages may include medical bills, the value of your damaged bike, lost wages from missing work, pain, suffering, and more. An attorney can help you draft a formal complaint, file it with the proper court, and develop effective legal strategies.
After a bike accident, you might be in intense pain, facing expensive medical bills, with no way to pay for anything because you cannot return to work. Our Buffalo bicycle accident lawyers can help you get compensation for your injuries. Call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case assessment.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Buffalo
Bicycle accidents may happen almost anywhere that cars and bikes meet. One of the leading causes of bicycle accidents is distracted driving. With the amount of technology that now exists in most vehicles, it is very easy for drivers to allow themselves to become distracted. All it takes is a glance down at a cell phone or GPS device to cause an accident with a bike rider.
When bike lanes run alongside vehicle lanes, sideswiping is a serious issue for bike riders. If a driver is distracted or is otherwise not looking out for bikes, they might drift too close to the bike lane. When this happens, they might run up against a bike rider. Our Buffalo bicycle accident lawyers can help you prove the driver’s negligence caused your accident and injuries.
Unfortunately, alcohol is a significant source of many accidents on the road, including those with bicycles. A drunk driver is dangerous to everyone on the road. If the driver in a car is intoxicated, their reflexes and driving abilities might be so impaired that they cannot stop themselves from striking a bike rider.
Turns are especially dangerous for bike riders if drivers are not mindful of bike lanes. For example, when drivers turn, they must signal the turn so other vehicles and bike riders know to slow down or stop. If a driver does not signal a turn, a bike rider in an adjacent bike lane might be hit by the turning vehicle.
Suing in Buffalo for a Bicycle Accident
Filing a lawsuit after a bike accident requires a lot of details and information up front. You must determine whom you want to hold liable and what damages you want to claim. You should also have some evidence related to the accident to back up your claims before filing your case. Our Buffalo bicycle accident lawyers have experience with these kinds of cases and know how to help you get your lawsuit off the ground.
Who is Liable for a Bike Accident?
A driver on the road might be liable if they hit a bike rider because of their own negligence. Things like distracted driving, failing to signal, or driving recklessly are all common causes of bike accidents. Our Buffalo bicycle accident lawyers can help you determine how your accident occurred and why the defendant should be held liable.
In other cases, multiple drivers might be liable for a bike accident. Perhaps two drivers caused a collision, and an unsuspecting bike rider got caught up in the crash. Both drivers can be held liable for the bike rider’s injuries if both drivers share the blame for the accident.
In case of a hit and run, it might be difficult to track down the driver to file a lawsuit against them. It is not unusual for drivers to panic and flee after striking a bike rider. In such cases, you should not only contact a lawyer but should also contact the police. A hit and run is a criminal offense, and the driver can be prosecuted in addition to being held civilly liable.
Recoverable Damages After a Bike Accident
You must also consider your damages before you file a lawsuit. Although damages are awarded at the end of a trial, you must be aware of your damages before your lawsuit begins. Your damages are the expenses and losses associated with the accident. An injured bike rider might have considerable damages, and our Buffalo bicycle accident attorneys can help calculate the damages accurately.
Economic damages include financial expenses directly caused by the bike accident. For example, injured bike riders are often burdened with costly medical bills. They must also pay to have their bike repaired or replaced. On top of all that, injured bike riders might lose income because they cannot return to work while they recover, making it even harder to afford all these expenses.
Non-economic damages are losses that did not cost the plaintiff any money but still must be compensated. Emotional and physical pain and suffering are common examples of non-economic damages. Other non-economic damages may include humiliation or damage to one’s reputation. Our Buffalo bicycle accident lawyers can determine the value of these damages by assessing how they affect your daily life and ability to function on a day-to-day basis.
Why an Attorney is Important for a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Buffalo
There is no way around the fact that lawsuits are complicated. They are often time-consuming, emotionally draining, and procedurally complex situations that even attorneys sometimes have difficulty with. While you are not legally required to have a lawyer with you, hiring a lawyer will certainly help your odds of winning your case.
Our Buffalo bicycle accident lawyers can help you draft and file your complaint, which kicks off your lawsuit and sets the tone for the rest of the case. Mistakes in your complaint might cost you time, effort, or even compensation in the long run.
Your lawyer can also help you develop appropriate legal strategies to use your evidence in the most advantageous ways possible. The best way to approach your case and argue over liability will be based on how the accident happened, the extent of your damages, and the overall behavior of the defendant.
Contact Our Buffalo Bicycle Accident Lawyers for Help
If you were hurt in a bike crash, you are probably experiencing very serious and painful injuries right now. Our Buffalo bicycle accident lawyers can help you hold the driver who hit you responsible. For a free case review, call The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083.