Riding a bicycle near motor vehicles can be a deceptively dangerous activity even if you, as the bicyclist, are as careful and law-abiding as possible. A single reckless or careless action by a motorist could lead to a collision that leaves you dealing with life-altering harm. Without a solid understanding of how civil litigation works in the state of Tennessee, you may have trouble obtaining the compensation you deserve from the person who harmed you.
A capable Bartlett bicycle accident lawyer could be an irreplaceable ally from start to finish of your settlement demand or lawsuit. In addition to helping you build a strong case that accounts for all past and future losses stemming from your specific injuries, a dedicated personal injury attorney at the Reaves Law Firm, PLLC could also work to contest allegations of contributory fault made against you which otherwise might reduce the amount of money you could recover.
The financial value of any personal injury claim is based on the specific physical harm a plaintiff experiences from an accident and the negative effects those injuries have on their life in the months, years, and even decades afterwards. Unfortunately, because bicycle riders have virtually no protection from external impacts, except for maybe a helmet and clothing built for safe riding, they tend to suffer especially severe—and all too often debilitating—injuries when they are involved in traffic accidents.
Even comparatively minor injuries like lacerations, contusions, muscle strains, and bone fractures can require expensive medical treatment and result in significant financial and personal losses in the form of missed work income, bicycle repair costs, and physical pain. In more severe accidents, collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles can leave riders with permanent damage to the spine, brain, and/or internal organs. Assistance from a skilled Bartlett bicycle wreck attorney could be essential to recovering comprehensively after a crash that causes permanent disfigurement and/or disability.
Even though bicyclists are at far greater risk of sustaining serious injury in traffic accidents compared to those inside automobiles, drivers involved in bike crashes do not automatically bear civil liability for all ensuing damages. Instead, liability works the same way in this type of case as it does in almost any other: the injured person must show that their injuries were caused directly by a named defendant’s reckless or careless violation of a duty of care.
In the context of bike wrecks on roadways, negligence could be an overtly illegal action like speeding or driving outside traffic lanes, or simply a moment of carelessness like turning right on a red light without checking for bicyclists in the crosswalk. As a bicycle accident lawyer in Bartlett could explain, though, it is often important for injured riders to show they were not negligent themselves in any way. If it is revealed that a cyclist contributed to their own injuries in any way, they could be legally prohibited from recovering for the full value of their losses.
Bicycle crashes affect thousands of families across Tennessee each year, and many of those wrecks would never have happened if just one car driver had been a little more cautious. Fortunately, state law allows for comprehensive civil recovery by an injured bicyclist against a person who negligently struck and injured them.
Working with a Bartlett bicycle accident lawyer at the Reaves Law Firm, PLLC could significantly boost your chances of succeeding with your unique claim. Call today to schedule a meeting.
