Spokane Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Spokane has been named a “silver-level” Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, but that does not mean that every road is safe for bicyclists or that every driver respects the rights of bikers on the road. 

Unfortunately, bicycle accidents still can and do occur regularly in the area, often leading to serious and sometimes fatal crashes. When a bicycle accident happens, victims may be entitled to compensation, but they will often need to get legal help in gathering evidence, understanding their rights, and pursuing a claim.

The Spokane personal injury lawyers at Monge & Associates has helped bicycle riders recover millions of dollars when drivers hurt them, and we can put our extensive knowledge of the law to you. To find out more about how a Spokane bicycle accident lawyer at our firm can help, give us a call or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation. 

Common Causes Of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can occur for many different reasons, often due to drivers not understanding or fulfilling their obligations to respect riders as equals on the road. Some of the most common reasons bicycle accidents occur include:

• Right-turn accidents when drivers don’t check blind spots before turning
• Driver failure to yield if drivers don’t respect the rights of bicyclists on the road
• Distracted driving, which can make it harder to see bicyclists due to their small footprint
• Reckless driving, which can impact a driver’s ability to see and stop for a bicycle rider
• Speeding, which makes it more likely drivers will lose control, not see a bicyclist, or not be able to stop in time to avoid striking a rider
• Dooring, which occurs when a driver opens the door in the path of a bicycle rider
• Drivers misjudging the speed of the bicyclist
• Inadequate infrastructure, such as potholes, debris, or a lack of safe bicycle lanes

Many of these common causes of bicycle crashes involve driver negligence, so drivers can often be held accountable for the harm they cause. However, it is up to you to be able to prove how the crash happened if you want to be paid for your damages. The Spokane pedestrian accident lawyers at Monge & Associates can take care of the legal process on your behalf so you can focus on recovery. 

Who Is Responsible For A Bicycle Accident?

When a bicycle accident happens, it becomes important to identify defendants who are liable for losses. Monge & Associates will conduct a detailed investigation of how your accident happened to help identify all parties who could be held responsible. Some of the different potential defendants include:

• The driver who caused the crash through negligence, wrongdoing, or a violation of driving safety laws
• The employer of the driver under vicarious liability laws or based on their own negligence if, for example, a delivery company failed to maintain its fleet of vehicles
• A third-party like a rideshare or delivery company if the company has insurance coverage in place while an independent contractor driver is active on the app
• Auto parts or vehicle manufacturers if a defect in the vehicle is the cause of the incident
• Entities responsible for road design or maintenance 

Since bicycle accidents can often cause serious injuries and damages can be substantial, it’s important to determine all parties who may be responsible for covering your losses. If you can pursue a claim against multiple defendants, there should be more insurance coverage available and there is a greater likelihood you can be fully compensated. 

Common Injuries That Occur In Bike Crashes In Spokane

Since bicycles do not provide protection from the force of a crash, bicyclists are often seriously hurt when an accident happens. Unfortunately, bike riders can also be hurt both as a result of the initial impact from the vehicle and when they are thrown from their bicycle due to the crash.

Many serious injuries can result, but some of the most common include:

• Head injuries including traumatic brain injuries
• Back injuries including spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones or bone fractures
• Lacerations
• Road rash
• Joint damage
• Soft tissue damage

Many of these injuries can change your life, affecting your ongoing ability to work or requiring extensive medical care. 

You should be repaid for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress when you suffer these or other injuries. If a bicycle crash is fatal, those who lost a loved one can also pursue a wrongful death claim. 

What Does a Bike Accident Lawyer Do To Help After A Crash?

When you pursue a bicycle accident case, you need to gather evidence, identify defendants, prove liability, and demonstrate the extent of your harm. Throughout this process, Monge & Associates will provide invaluable help and support. Some of the different ways that we can assist you include:

• Reviewing the cause of your crash to identify all parties who could be held liable
• Obtaining police reports, driver-on-duty logs, cell phone records, toxicology reports, or other documentation that can prove your claim
• Obtaining security camera footage from traffic cameras or nearby businesses or households 
• Interviewing witnesses
• Connecting you with expert witnesses who can support your claim, including accident reconstruction specialists as well as vocational experts to speak to the losses you endured
• Negotiating on your behalf with insurance companies to try to reach a fair settlement so you can avoid court proceedings. 
• Going to court to represent you so you can get the money that you should be entitled to, if an insurer tries to deny or lowball your bicycle accident claim

We will communicate with you and support you every step of the way as we fight for you. Our firm has recovered over $1 billion in compensation for injured clients, and we have more than 30 years of experience representing those who have suffered harm due to negligence or wrongdoing. We can put our knowledge of the law to work to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome. 

Contact A Spokane Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

You deserve to be compensated fully for your injuries or for the loss of a loved one when an accident happens. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with a Spokane bicycle accident lawyer and learn how Monge & Associates can help with your claim.