When bicycle riders are struck by motor vehicles, they are left unprotected to absorb the full impacts of their crashes. Accordingly, many bicycle accidents cause catastrophic injuries. Injured riders can face long and difficult roads to recovery.
Fortunately, victims of bicycle accidents can pursue payment from the drivers responsible for their collisions. There are several categories of monetary damages available to plaintiffs in bicycle accident lawsuits. The damages awarded in your case will most likely depend on the extent of injuries you sustained.
If you suffered a harmful bicycle accident in Elizabeth, NJ, get help seeking the financial compensation available to you. Reach out to our experienced Elizabeth bicycle accident attorneys today by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083. Our lawyers can provide a free review of your case.
Common Locations Where Bicycle Accidents Occur in Elizabeth, NJ
Many bicycle crashes are unexpected and unavoidable. While they can happen anywhere, there are certain areas where bicycle accidents occur more often than others. Our Elizabeth bicycle accident attorneys can offer guidance and support after collisions that occur at any of the following locations:
Intersections
Intersections are a common location where bicycle accidents occur. Many motorists strike riders after running red lights and making improper left turns. In such cases, testimony from accident reconstruction experts can be very valuable when explaining why defendants are at fault. Our team can help victims of intersection accidents gather the evidence required to support their cases against at-fault drivers.
Road Shoulders
Road shoulders are another common location where bicycle accidents occur. Many drivers hit bikers as they illegally attempt to pass them on roadways. Furthermore, bikers on roads’ shoulders can be struck when motorists begin to veer outside of their lanes. Victims of such accidents may be entitled to financial compensation.
Parking Lots
Parking lots are also a common location where bicycle crashes occur. When a rider has to travel through a parking lot, they must traverse an area where many cars are coming and going in different directions. When drivers fail to take note of their surroundings before pulling into and out of parking spaces, devastating collisions with bicyclists can happen. If you suffered a bicycle crash in a parking lot, you should contact our experienced Elizabeth bicycle accident attorneys for help building your case.
Driveways
Furthermore, many bicycle accidents happen in peoples’ driveways. The area where a driveway converges with a street can be especially dangerous for bicyclists. Motorists who do not pay attention when backing out of their driveways can cause catastrophic bicycle accidents. Victims of such accidents can recover payment for the injuries they incurred.
Elements of a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Elizabeth, NJ
Bicycle accident lawsuits can come in many forms. There are several factors that can influence the path to compensation in your case. However, in every lawsuit, the plaintiff must show that each of the following elements have been satisfied:
- The defendant driver was under a duty of care
- The defendant driver did not adhere to their duty of care
- You were hurt because of the defendant driver’s breach of their duty
- You sustained damages because of the injuries you suffered
Analyzing these elements in the context of your case can be difficult without the assistance of our experienced Elizabeth bicycle accident attorneys. During your free case assessment, our lawyers can help evaluate the strength of your claim by determining if the aforementioned elements have been established.
Common Types of Evidence Used to Prove Fault for an Elizabeth, NJ Bicycle Accident
There are several different forms of evidence plaintiffs can utilize to prove that defendants are at fault for their bicycle accidents. Our Elizabeth bicycle accident attorneys can help collect and preserve any of the following types of evidence in your case:
Security Camera Footage
In some cases, private security camera footage can be used to show the cause of bicycle accidents. Accidents that occur in parking lots, driveways, and near storefronts are more likely to have been captured by surveillance cameras. Footage from these cameras can help demonstrate how or why collisions occurred. Our lawyers can investigate whether such footage exists in your case.
Witness Statements
Witness statements are another valuable form of evidence used to prove fault for bicycle accidents in Elizabeth. Like surveillance camera footage, witness statements can help explain the events that unfolded before, during, and after a crash. Accordingly, you should always attempt to retrieve contact information for witnesses to your accident if possible. You can call our lawyers for support when reaching out to witnesses for their potential cooperation.
Accident Reports
After a harmful bicycle accident, a police officer should visit the scene to draft an accident report. An officer’s crash report can contain a wide range of information that points to the accident’s cause. Accordingly, accident reports are another valuable form of evidence used to prove fault for bicycle crashes. Our Elizabeth bicycle accident attorneys can help obtain a copy of the official accident report in your case.
Personal Recollections
You should also record your personal recollection of your bicycle accident while your memory is fresh. It is hard to know which details surrounding your collision may become important at later stages of your trial. The details you record can be very valuable to our lawyers when building your case.
Expert Witness Statements
Lastly, expert witness statements are a common form of evidence used to prove fault for bicycle accidents. These witnesses are considered experts because they have the necessary training, education, and experience in their respective fields.
Expert witnesses are often summoned to explain complex theories of fault. For example, an engineering expert may be called to explain how a bicycle crash was caused by a defective part. Our experienced Elizabeth bicycle accident attorneys can help summon the right experts to support your claim.
If You Suffered a Bicycle Accident in Elizabeth, NJ, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you were hurt because of a bicycle crash, seek support from our experienced Elizabeth bicycle accident attorneys today by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 to review your lawsuit for free.