Hillcrest Heights Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

bicycle accident lawyer Hillcrest Heights MD

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bike accident in Maryland, or if someone you love has died because of this, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a Hillcrest Heights, MD bicycle accident lawyer.

If you get injured while riding a bicycle who can you sue?

There can be many sources responsible for your accident depending on what factors played a role in causing the injury. Possible sources may include:

1. 1. The first possible party that you may be able to sue is the negligent driver. This can be a driver of an automobile, bus, or truck if the driver caused the accident.
   2. The second possible party you may be able to sue is the manufacturer or retailer of the bike. This claim can be made based on malfunctioning parts of the bike or bike accessories. If there is a defect in you bike or any part of your bike and your accident was related, you will likely have a case.
   3. If the accident was caused by dangerous conditions related to unsafe or unserviced roads, another possible party to sue could be the the city, county, or state who maintains the roads. Many people find it easiest to do this with the help of a Hillcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyer. The following are common causes of bike accidents:
      • Potholes
      • Accumulations of snow or ice
      • Cracked pavement
      • Obstructed or hidden fixtures, i.e fire hydrants
      • Excessively gravelly roads
      • Inadequate signage, for bikes and traffic
      • Poor road design
      • Dangerous intersections
      • Overgrown foliage
      • Inadequate lane markings
   4. Another possible source of the accident may be related to a repair shop or mechanic. I the accident was caused by a bike or vehicle recently repaired, the shop may be at fault. For example, if the brakes on your bike were recently worked on and then caused your accident, you will most likely have a case.The information in this article is general and is not intended as legal advice in any way. A good place to start with understanding the legal aspects of your accident and injury is by discussing your situation with a Hillcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyer.
   5. A fifth party you may be able to sue is the owner of either private or public property. If the accident happened due to negligent design, maintenance, or upkeep of public or private property you can likely make a case for the dangerous conditions causing your accident.

A Hillcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyer may be able to take a burden off of you by taking over the protection of you and your family’s legal rights.

All of these factors may have played a role in your accident however, in order to hold a city or town liable for your injuries, there must be negligence. Municipalities in most states are liable for their negligence in maintaining public streets and sidewalks, but there are two important limitations on an injured person’s right to sue a city, county, or other municipality. First, most, if not all, states have strict notice and time deadlines for making a claim. Second, most states place a limit on how much you can recover from the state or a municipality if you win.

It is important to hire a professional Hillcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyer to protect you because you have to make sure that you make your claim against the proper governmental entity. For example if you crash over the remains of a sign for a bus stop, and you give notice to the city and only the city, your claim could be barred. This is because state law could hold the public transportation agency, and not the local municipality, responsible for maintaining bus stops- meaning the city will not be liable.

Important timing!

While you can sue if your bike accident was caused by the road it is extremely important to consult with a bike accident lawyer ASAP to make sure you don’t miss any deadlines and to ensure a good understanding of the special requirements to bring a lawsuit.

Protect your rights after a bike accident by contacting the legal team at Cohen & Cohen for a HIllcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyer.

Hillcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyers have the answers

According to Hillcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyers, in the majority of bicycle–motorist accidents, the motorist is at fault for the accident for failing to comply with the rules of the road that pertain to bicyclists. However, bicyclists who fail to follow the rules of the road or who engage in dangerous activities while riding can be held liable after an accident.

In order to minimize the risk of accidents with cars, cyclists need to maximize their visibility, understand the rules of the road, learn to recognize some of the most dangerous intersection hazards, and take safety precautions when approaching and riding through an intersection. It is also important to learn the basic legal rules of liability such as who is responsible for an accident. Hillcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyers will likely inform you that cyclists who don’t follow road rules or don’t keep a proper lookout might be held accountable for an accident. Additionally, cyclists who do follow the rules of the road may initially still be blamed by wreckless driver who doesn’t follow the rules of the road.

Laws for bikers may differ from state to state but commonly:

• You must ride facing forward
• Only one person should be on the bicycle unless a baby seat is attached with a proper harness or seat for more than one rider.
• Do not ride on sidewalks unless local law permits.
• Do not be pulled by another vehicle and give the proper signals when turning or stopping.
• If riding at night the bicycle must have proper lights and reflectors.

According to Hillcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyers, if you as the biker do not follow these rules you will be held accountable for your mistakes and you will mostly likely not be able to sue the driver for the accident.

What to Do on the Scene

No matter how minor you think it might be, calling the police is very important in a bike accident. If a police report is filed based on information gathered at the scene, the police will create a neutral report of the crash and the story can’t change later on. You should always ask for a police report. You never know when it could come in handy, either for insurance purposes or for a legal case in the future. Additionally, if a conflict ensues, it is best to have the police there to intervene if necessary.

Gather Witness Information

Hillcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyers will likely advise that you speak with anyone else who was involved in the accident or any witnesses nearby. For anyone else involved in the accident, you’ll want to have their address and contact information, their insurance information, vehicle information, including license plate number, and the responding police officer’s name and badge number.

Take Pictures

Take pictures of the accident scene. These will be helpful in dealing with insurance companies and for your potential court case. Having photographic evidence of the scene can be really helpful to a jury in supporting a cyclist’s case.

Call the attorneys at Cohen & Cohen today to establish who is reliable for your accident and what legal steps you can take. Call today to set up your free consultation with skilled Hillcrest Heights, MD bike accident lawyers.