Drivers are expected to share the road with bicycle riders, but sometimes this doesn’t happen.
When a driver behaves unsafely, or roads are poorly designed, it is often bicycle riders who pay the ultimate price because they have no protection from force or impact if a crash occurs.
Bicycle riders and surviving family members of those killed in a bike crash need to understand the laws in Virginia and their right to pursue a damage claim.
Working with an experienced Richmond bicycle accident lawyer can be the key to effectively navigating the legal system and getting full and fair compensation, and Monge & Associates is here to help.
Our Richmond attorneys have decades of collective experience representing clients in bike accident claims, and we will offer compassionate and knowledgeable legal representation in the aftermath of your accident.
Schedule your free consultation today to get your case evaluated and learn more details about the dedicated advocacy we can offer throughout your case.
Over $1B+ Recovered For Our Clients
Don’t Face Insurance Companies Alone
Why Choose Monge & Associates
Monge & Associates is the best place to turn after your bicycle accident because:
- We’ve built strong bicycle accident claims: We know Virginia’s laws regulating the interactions between bicyclists and drivers, and we can put together the strongest case possible to show why the driver should be held liable for your losses.
- We have a history of successes: We’ve recovered over a billion dollars for our clients. We’ve helped clients to collect fair compensation through out-of-court negotiations as well as by making strong cases during civil trials.
- We have many satisfied clients: Our thousands of 5-star reviews from past clients include testimonials from many bicycle riders who praise our compassionate representation, legal experience, and strong skills in and out of the courtroom.
You can’t trust just any firm after your bicycle crash. Our firm is one of the largest in the country, and we’ve been helping fight for clients since 1993, so you can feel confident that your case is in good hands when you turn to our team.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents happen for many potential reasons. Some of the most common causes of bike crashes include:
- Drivers who are using their cell phones or are otherwise distracted
- Drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Drivers who speed and lose control of their vehicle or who can’t stop in time when they see a cyclist
- Drivers who pass cyclists unsafely
- Drivers who encroach on the bicycle lane
- Drivers who open their doors in the path of a bicycle rider
- Drivers who make unsafe turns
- Drivers who fail to obey traffic signals
Bicycle riders are more vulnerable than people in vehicles to being hurt by drivers who are not paying careful attention or who are impaired or fatigued, because it can be harder for a driver to see a cyclist due to their smaller profile.
This increases the risk that driver negligence will lead to a crash that causes serious or fatal injuries.
Common Injuries from Bicycle Accidents in Richmond
Without airbags or other safety equipment besides potentially a helmet, bicycle riders have limited or no protection from the impact when a vehicle strikes them.
Bicycle riders could also be thrown from their bicycle when they are struck, which adds to the chance of serious injury as they hit the road.
The impact of a crash can cause many types of serious damage, but some of the most common injuries that cyclists experience after a bike crash include:
- Damage to the spinal cord
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Traumatic brain injury
- Head injuries
Sometimes, it is not possible to fully heal from the damage that is done to the body in a bicycle crash. For example, spinal cord damage could lead to full or partial paralysis. In other situations, the injuries sustained in a bike accident prove to be fatal for the bicycle rider.
The drivers who cause bike accidents should be held accountable for all of the harm that results from these injuries.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
In the aftermath of a bicycle accident, it’s important to make sure you get the medical treatments that you need to try to limit the damage to your body.
It’s also important that you take steps to gather evidence and build a strong claim so you can hold the responsible driver liable for your losses.
Some of the different things you should do in order to achieve these objectives includes:
- Contacting the police to investigate the crash
- Taking pictures of the vehicle, the bicycle, the accident scene, and debris in the road
- Getting contact details from all involved drivers and witnesses
- Getting prompt medical help
A Richmond bicycle accident lawyer can help you to begin gathering evidence from day one and can assist you throughout the process of building your claim.
Your attorney can also help you to talk with your own insurer and the insurer of the other driver to make sure that you aren’t being tricked into saying or doing anything that would jeopardize your right to full compensation.
Compensation Available for Injured Cyclists
The compensation that you should receive after a bicycle accident should be enough to “make you whole” or put you back as close as possible to the position you’d have been in if the crash had not happened.
Some of the different kinds of compensation you should receive include payment for:
- Medical bills
- Missed work
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Wrongful death damages including lost companionship and payment of funeral expenses can also be appropriate in cases where bike accidents were fatal and a claim is made on behalf of surviving loved ones.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Virginia?
You have two years to file a bicycle accident claim in Virginia. Be sure you file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out so you don’t lose your chance to pursue justice.
Contact A Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
Monge & Associates is here and ready to help with your bike accident claim. We will fight for you to get the money you deserve after a driver harmed you so give us a call or contact us today to speak with a Richmond bicycle accident lawyer to learn more.