Bicycle Accident Attorney Washington, Illinois

Bicycle Accidents – Washington, IL 61571

Bike mishaps can result in serious and often fatal injuries. Claims to recover damages for injuries in bicycle mishaps with vehicles involve a lot of the exact same problems as any car accident suit. Liability for bike accident injuries often boils down to negligence– whether the cars and truck motorist’s negligence triggered the cyclist’s injuries, and whether any negligence by the bicyclist caused or added to the mishap.

Bicycle Mishap Liability Basics

Bicyclists and drivers are bound to obey the rules of the road. These rules include traffic laws, in addition to the task to exercise common care in regards to one’s own security and that of others on the highways. Like other car accident lawsuits, bike accident lawsuits are governed by state law, and frequently informed by state and regional traffic laws.

Negligence and Bicycle Accidents in Washington, Illinois

When a cyclist sues to recuperate damages for injuries suffered in an accident with an auto, the result frequently depends upon 2 concerns:


Motorist Negligence or Recklessness

Negligence by a motorist can take numerous forms. For example, speeding, running a stop sign, and drifting into a bike lane all make up chauffeur negligence, and even recklessness if finished with knowing disregard for the security of others.

In a claim declaring negligence by another individual, plaintiffs normally must prove that the accused acted in a way that violated a duty owed to the complainant. In car mishap cases, this means violating the fundamental duty of care owed to everyone else on or near the streets.

Accident suits come down to realities specific to the individual case, and often the ability of the plaintiff to prove negligence through eyewitness testimony or other proof. In automobile accident cases, nevertheless, habits which constitute traffic infractions can constitute “negligence per se.” This means that if a driver was cited for an infraction such as speeding at the time of the mishap, proof of the speeding infraction counts as proof of negligence. The problem then moves to the defendant to prove that he or she didn’t trigger the complainant’s injuries.

Cyclist Negligence – Washington, Illinois 61571

Whether a bicyclist takes legal action against a motorist, or a cyclist is demanded triggering someone else injury, cyclist negligence can determine the outcome of the suit. Examples of cyclist negligence include riding the wrong way on a one-way street, running a stop sign, and turning abruptly into traffic.

Irresponsible cyclists may be not able to recuperate damages for injuries they suffer in accidents involving automobiles. Such negligence is called contributing or comparative negligence, meaning that the bicyclist’s negligence, a minimum of in part, caused the mishap to occur, and thus caused at least a few of the cyclist’s injuries. If a cyclist rode negligently, which negligence caused injury to someone else, the cyclist might be held accountable for that individual’s injuries.

In mishap cases including children on bicycles, courts hold motorists to a higher requirement. See specifics on child bike mishap liability for more details.

Get Your Legal Claim Evaluated for Free

Accidents including automobiles and bikes can involve serious injuries and big liabilities. Bike mishap suits typically come down to whether the motorist or the cyclist negligently caused or added to the accident. This negligence decision can be a complex and require thorough analysis. If you or a loved one has remained in a bike mishap, you need to talk to an attorney to finest secure your rights. You can have a knowledgeable law firm evaluate the benefits of your claim for free.