With the warm temperatures and sunny weather, summer is the perfect season for bike riding in Ohio. Many bikers ride for recreational purposes, while others rely on their bicycles as a means of transportation to and from their workplaces.
The majority of bicycle accidents occur as a result of a motor vehicle driver’s carelessness or negligence. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation under Ohio law with the assistance of an injury attorney.
An experienced West Unity bicycle accident lawyer will be able to meet with you and perform an evaluation of your case.
Ohio Law Regarding Bicycle Accidents
A bicyclist is essentially deemed a motorist under Ohio law. In other words, a bicyclist is normally subject to the same rules of the road as all other drivers on the roadway. This means that bicyclists must do the following when operating their bicycles on Ohio roadways:
- Obey all traffic signs, such as stop signs and yield signs
- Obey all traffic signals and traffic control devices, such as traffic lights and railroad crossing signals
- Obey all posted speed limit signs
- Obey the same rules as motor vehicles regarding right-of-way
Also, unless there is an obstacle or other hazardous condition in the way, bicyclists should ride their bicycles in a designated bike lane, if one is available.
Common Causes of Ohio Bicycle Accidents
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents that a West Unity bike accident lawyer can help with include the following:
- Negligent, distracted, or inattentive driving
- Speeding
- Motor vehicle driver failing to obey a stop sign or traffic control device
- Motor vehicle driver failing to yield the right-of-way to a cyclist at an intersection
- Defective bicycle parts (such as brakes)
- ‘Dooring’ accidents (i.e. when the driver or passenger of a parked car suddenly opens the car door in the pathway of an oncoming cyclist, causing the cyclist injuries)
Proving Negligence on the Part of a Motor Vehicle Driver
In order for an injured cyclist to recover for injuries and damages sustained in an accident caused by a motor vehicle driver, the injured cyclist or their West Unity bike accident attorney must ordinarily prove negligence on the part of the driver. Specifically, the injured cyclist must prove that the driver breached the duty to act as a reasonably prudent and careful driver under the circumstances, and that this breach factually and legally resulted in the cyclist’s injuries and damages.
Some of the most common types of injuries sustained in Ohio bicycle accidents include the following:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s)
- Soft tissue injuries (e.g., muscular sprains and strains)
- Scrapes, abrasions, scratches, and bruises
- Permanent scarring (especially facial scarring)
- Death
Upon proving negligence, an injured cyclist may be able to recover damages for related medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of earning capacity, and loss of spousal companionship.
What a West Unity Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Do for You
Bicycle accidents can result in serious and devastating consequences. Nevertheless, insurance companies oftentimes try to deny liability in these cases, alleging that the injured cyclist caused or contributed to the accident.
An experienced West Unity bicycle accident attorney will have the legal knowledge and expertise to take on the insurance company in a disputed liability case and may be able to represent you in settlement negotiations or in court.
You should feel free to contact an experienced West Unity bicycle accident lawyer at any time by phone or online.