high law office, pllc
Bicycle Accidents
The first recorded traffic accident in the United States involved an automobile and a bicyclist. Today bicycle accidents account for two percent of all traffic fatalities, in 2008; over 52,000 cyclists were injured in traffic accidents. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2008 Traffic Safety Facts, Bicyclists and Other Cyclists. Each year, approximately one half million bicycle-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Study, Part III, January 1993).
Many bicycle accidents occur when the driver fails to see the rider. The motorist turns directly in front of the cyclist, strikes a bicycle as it pulls into traffic from a driveway, or simply swerves into an unseen bicycle riding in the shoulder. Alcohol is a factor in close to one third of all bicycle accidents. (NHTSA, 2008 Traffic Safety Facts; see also, CPSC Study, Part VI, Bicyclist Deaths and Fatality Risk Patterns, May, 1993).
Another 9% of injuries occur as a result of defectively manufactured or assembled bicycles (Bicycle Use and Hazard Patterns in the U.S. and Options for Injury Reduction, Consumer Product Safety Commission of the U.S., Nov. 16, 1993).
If you or your loved ones have been injured in a bicycle accident, it is important to hire a competent attorney. Insurance companies often deny cyclist’s claims outright or encourage them to accept a low settlement. Our firm will determine whether there is coverage available under your own automobile insurance policy, while simultaneously negotiating a fair settlement with the responsible party.
When evaluating a case we will obtain any police reports prepared after the accident, and promptly investigate the scene of the accident to note the road conditions, lighting conditions, and other relevant factors. We evaluate the extent of your injuries and inspect the damage to your bicycle. Based on consultation with your doctors and expert if needed, we will then determine the value of your case, and present a reasonable settlement demand to the responsible party’s insurance company.
Contact us for a free case evaluation. If you retain our firm, you are only responsible for legal fees if we recover damages on your behalf. Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitation so act fast.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, call our office for a free consultation today.
