New Jersey Bicycle Accident Attorney
Riding a bicycle in New Jersey might be your favorite way of commuting or getting around, but it could also put you in danger of bodily harm. Many drivers in New Jersey engage in careless and reckless acts that put bicyclists at risk, such as distracted driving. When you become the victim of a recent bicycle accident, the New Jersey bicycle accident attorneys at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and related losses. Our legal team knows how to maximize our clients’ financial recoveries.
How a New Jersey Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you’ve always kept up with your insurance premiums, you may expect your auto insurance provider to cover your bills and losses after an accident without question. You will come to realize, however, that insurance companies prioritize their bottom lines over their clients.
You may struggle to obtain fair and full compensation for your bike accident from your own insurer or the insurance company of the driver. This is where a bicycle accident attorney in New Jersey can help.
Hiring a New Jersey bicycle accident attorney strengthens your ability to negotiate with an auto insurance company. Since New Jersey is a no-fault state, this means your lawyer can help you with a personal injury protection (PIP) insurance claim with your own provider – or, if your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, a liability claim against the driver. Either way, your New Jersey personal injury attorney can take over negotiations, answer your legal questions and provide advice that you can trust to get you through this difficult time.
What Are Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in New Jersey?
The number one cause of bicycle accidents in New Jersey is driver error. Motor vehicle drivers make careless mistakes such as texting and driving or speeding that put vulnerable road users at risk.
Some of the most common causes of bike accidents in New Jersey that our New Jersey bicycle accident lawyer team sees include:
- Driver inattention
- Operating under the influence
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Red-light running
- Ignoring traffic signs and roadway rules
- Tailgating
- Passing too closely
- Making unsafe left-hand turns
- Dooring
- Road defects, such as potholes
- Poor weather
When someone else caused your bike accident and your injuries are classified as serious or permanent, our New Jersey bicycle accident lawyer firm may be able to hold that liable party responsible for your losses and damages in New Jersey.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Minor to Moderate Injuries
Bicycle accidents range from minor to severe, depending on the legal circumstances. Some common bicycle accident injuries include:
- Abrasions
- Contusions
- Strains
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Broken ribs
- Ruptured spleen
Severe Head and Brain Injuries
Other common yet more severe injuries are those which involve the head, such as:
- Swelling
- Hemorrhage
- Cracked skull
- Concussions and other serious TBIs
- Death
When a bicycle accident caused by the negligence of another driver results in fatal injuries, a New Jersey wrongful death lawyer is prepared to fight for justice for your family.
How To Prevent Bicycle Accidents
Safety Tips for Cyclists
The following provides cyclists with safety tips and actions that can be taken to prevent bicycle accidents from happening. Our New Jersey bicycle accident lawyers recommend following these guidelines:
Maintain Lane Position
One of the most crucial steps you can take to avoid a bicycle accident or a collision with a vehicle or a person is to maintain proper lane position.
Every cyclist is responsible for staying in the correct place on the road. When there is a bike lane, you should always be riding there. If there isn’t, cyclists have the same legal rights as cars on the road. Obey all applicable traffic laws and stay in your lane to try to avoid accidents and serious injuries.
Wear Protective Gear and Reflective Clothing
Wearing a helmet while cycling is crucial; it could be the difference between life and death if you are involved in an accident while biking. In addition to a helmet, you should always wear reflective clothing to ensure that other riders and motor vehicles see you and are aware of your presence long before they are close enough to you to cause an accident.
When selecting your clothing to go cycling, ensure that most of them are in shiny and reflective colors.
Use Hand Signals
Using hand signals when riding on the road is a must. Regardless of how much protective and reflective gear is worn, signaling drivers, passengers, and possibly other cyclists of which direction you are headed is absolutely vital. Make sure you use the signals in a timely manner and be as clear as possible.
Use Headlights
Just as cyclists wear reflective gear and clothing to stand out, cyclists should always use headlights at night to illuminate the route they are following. The use of headlights makes it easier to see obstacles and helps drivers and cyclists know where you are.
Many bicycles do not come with headlights, so make sure you purchase and install them before riding.
Who is Liable in a New Jersey Bicycle Accident Case?
A bicycle accident case usually involves several parties: the victim/plaintiff, the person responsible for the accident, and sometimes the responsible party’s insurance company.
When an accident occurs due to the responsible party’s negligence, you as the injured victim may be entitled to recover monetary compensation from them and/or their insurance company. If you aren’t able to recover enough compensation through an insurance claim, it may be necessary to file a civil lawsuit.
A bicycle and motorcycle accident attorney in New Jersey can help you with both of these steps. Our New Jersey bicycle accident lawyer team always recommends that it’s wise to talk to an experienced attorney before speaking to any insurance representatives.
Compensation Available in Bicycle Accidents
There are two primary types of damages available for bicycle accident victims through a personal injury claim:
Economic damages
Economic damages are the expenses you incur as a result of the accident and your injuries, such as medical expenses, property damage, rehabilitation costs, lost wages if you are out of work, and other expenses that are related to your accident.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are a bit more difficult to prove, as they are not quantifiable in the same way as economic damages. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and other losses that the victim suffers that can’t be quantified into monetary terms.
Bicycle Accident FAQs
It is normal to have many questions and concerns as the injured victim of a bicycle accident in New Jersey. You may not know where to turn for answers and advice you can trust.
Rest assured, the New Jersey personal injury lawyers at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC want what is best for you. Your success is our success. With that in mind, here are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions:
- Q: How long does it take to get a bike accident settlement?
A: Each case is unique. Your case may be resolved in a matter of months, or it may take a year or longer if it has to go to trial. Factors that can affect your timeline include how long it takes you to heal and the overall value of your case.
- Q: What if I contributed to the accident? Can I still recover compensation?
A: Yes, as long as your own percentage of fault is less than that of the person against whom you are seeking financial recovery. Under New Jersey’s modified comparative fault rule, the courts will reduce your recovery by your percentage of fault.
- Q: Is there a time limit to file?
A: Yes. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations gives you no more than two years from the date of your bicycle accident to bring a personal injury cause of action. This is why it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
- Q: When is the best time to contact an attorney?
A: It’s wise to contact a lawyer as soon as you have recovered enough from your accident to do so. Over time, your recollections of the event may fade and it may be more challenging to secure essential information from the accident site. There is also the risk of exceeding the state’s statute of limitations on personal injury cases.
Contact Our New Jersey Bicycle Accident Lawyers
For more information about your specific claim, contact us to request a free consultation. We will help you recover by taking care of complicated legal processes, including investigating your bicycle accident, determining its cause, gathering evidence and building a compelling claim to damages on your behalf.
Begin by requesting a free consultation with our bicycle and car accident attorneys in New Jersey at (201) 997-0030 today.