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.
