Riding your bicycle is an excellent way to commute or get exercise. When doing so, be sure to follow the Kentucky bicycle laws for safety. However, even if you are following all the traffic regulations for bicycles, you still may get into an accident with another vehicle. When this occurs, you may benefit from the help of a Shively bicycle accident lawyer.
A bicycle accident attorney serving the Shively area can explain the law and help you navigate through the process of recovering the damages you’ve incurred during the accident.
Kentucky Laws Concerning Bicycles
When bicycles share the road with motor vehicles, they need to understand who has the right of way. There are certain rules bicyclists and motorists must abide by, so everyone is safe. Some of these are as follows:
- Motor vehicles can’t drive in a bike lane unless it’s a government maintenance vehicle
- A bicyclist must stop at a red light or stop sign to avoid colliding with other traffic
- A bicyclist should drive carefully when passing lanes, not weaving from between the cars
- Bicyclists should provide a signal 50 feet in advance of making a turn, so other drivers have notice
- A motorist must use caution when passing a cyclist
- According to Kentucky’s safe passing law, motorists must leave three feet between a car and a bicycle when passing
- If a motor vehicle is going to make a right turn, the driver must make sure it is safe for the bicyclist before doing so
- A motorist must look for oncoming bicyclists before opening the door of a parked car
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Shively, call 800-333-9999
Who is At Fault in a Bicycle Accident?
Kentucky follows the pure comparative negligence rule when determining who is at fault in a bicycle accident. This rule indicates that recovered damages are reduced by the amount of fault the plaintiff bears. It can’t be assumed that one person is 100 percent at fault in an accident, although that might be the case at times.
Insurers will determine how much fault each party has, assigning a percentage of blame to each. In most cases, people turn to their insurance providers when involved in an accident. However, if you are a bicyclist without vehicle insurance, how are you cover
If the driver was not uninsured or underinsured, their Personal Injury Protection insurance should cover bicyclists if they caused the accident. The only problem that arises is if the cost for your injuries amounts to more than their policy limits. At this point, your only recourse is to file a personal injury case with the aid of a Shively bicycle accident lawyer.
Kentucky law allows you to file a personal injury suit to recover damages when in a bicycle accident. If a motorist was negligent or violated a traffic regulation, you can recover your losses. Since Kentucky is a pure comparative fault state, you can still recover even if you were partly to blame, so it is advisable to consult with a Shively bicycle accident lawyer about your options for compensatory damages after an accident.
Some of the damages that may be applicable to your case are as follows:
- Medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering, including emotional pain
- Loss of consortium
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Common Injuries from a Bicycle Accident
When a bicycle gets into an accident with a motor vehicle, it has the capacity to do great harm. This is because cyclists have minimal protection. Whether you get thrown several feet from the bike or only fall off it, the potential for serious injuries is there. Common injuries you may get from a bicycle accident include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Neck injury
- Broken bones
- Facial or dental injuries
- Leg, knee, or foot fractures
- Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
Many bicycle accidents are fatal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most fatal bicycle accidents happen in the evening hours between 6 pm to 9 pm. This is when visibility is reduced. In addition, men were eight times more likely to be in a bike accident than a woman.
If your loved one loses their life in a bicycle accident, talk to an attorney about a wrongful death claim. Kentucky law requires the deceased person’s personal representative to file the claim for wrongful death damages, but then the compensation can be distributed to the appropriate loved one left behind.
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Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Like any accident, there is no one cause that leads to a bicycle accident. Several factors may result in a bicycle and motorist collision. Some of these include:
- Low visibility: Bicycles are not as visible as other vehicles, making them more prone to getting hit. Drivers must always stay alert for bicyclists
- Distracted driving: These days, people use their cell phones quite a bit. When they do so while driving, it raises the risk for an accident, and it’s against the law, too
- Slippery roads: When the weather turns bad, it can lead to hazardous road conditions. This can make driving difficult
- Failure to yield: If a motorist doesn’t yield properly, then it can result in a deadly accident
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Seek a Lawyer’s Help in a Bicycle Accident
A Shively bicycle accident lawyer can assist you with the paperwork necessary to get started filing a claim for personal injuries. You can speak to a lawyer to find out where you stand and get a free case assessment. At Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers, you can count on the combined 400 years of experience in legal work between the lawyers. With more than $1 billion in damages from all cases, your case is in capable hands.
You can begin the process by contacting the office at Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers. We have an extensive in-house litigation team and a mock courtroom on-site at one location. Get a free case evaluation, and don’t worry about hidden fees and upfront costs. We operate on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay until your case is settled. Contact us today!
Call or text 800-333-9999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form