Bicycle Accidents: No-Fault or Personal Injury?

Imagine you are riding along the bike lane of your local neighborhood when suddenly, you find yourself flying toward the pavement. That's the reality for thousands of people across the country every year. But when a serious bicycle accident happens, where do you turn to get your expenses paid for? Is a bicycle accident a no-fault claim or a personal injury lawsuit?

Vehicle on Bicycle Accidents

Many times, bicycle accidents happen when bikers and drivers try to share busy city intersections or winding rural roads. In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that 48,000 cyclists were injured in motor vehicle accidents. That's an 8.9% increase since 2001. As bike attorney Bruce Deming told the Washingtonian:

“The growth is primarily among new riders in their twenties and thirties who use bikes for transportation. . . . They’re less skilled in the art of accident avoidance. They also trust in bike lanes a little more than they should.”

When an automobile is involved in your bicycle accident, it gives you access to all the benefits of the Michigan No-Fault Act. A valid insurance claim will cover your medical expenses, up to 3 years of lost wages, and attendant service costs. The challenge is to demonstrate that your injuries were caused by the use of a motor vehicle.

That's where an experienced auto accident attorney can help. The Liblang Law Firm, PC, will bring in investigators and accident reconstructionists to show the judge and jury exactly what happened to cause your accident. That way you can take advantage of Michigan's extensive no-fault auto insurance law.

Environmental Bicycle Accidents

It doesn't take a vehicle to cause a serious bicycle accident. Sometimes environmental risks like damaged cement, overgrown plants, or rutted terrain can cause a bicyclist to lose control.

Your first line of defense in an environmental bicycle accident is your health insurance. It will cover much of your medical expenses. But depending on your policy, you will still have to pay deductibles, co-insurance, and co-pays.

Environmental bicycle accidents fall within the world of personal injury, specifically premises liability lawsuits. Depending on the circumstances in your particular case, you may be able to sue the owners of the property where you were injured. The lawsuit will claim that negligence in the upkeep of the property created an unreasonable risk that you would be injured.

That can even include damages caused by local or state governments. If a pot hole or other damage to the bike path or roadway goes unrepaired, the city itself could be liable for your injuries.

The Liblang Law Firm, PC, handles every kind of personal injury case. Whether your bicycle injury was caused by a vehicle or an environmental threat, Dani K. Liblang can help you get the recovery you need to heal and move on with your life. Contact the Liblang Law Firm, PC, today to schedule a free consultation.