Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Cycling is a great way to commute, exercise, and have fun with the family. However, due to their lack of protection, bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries for the rider. These injuries, of course, have financial consequences.
If you are hit by a motor vehicle while riding your bike, you must report the accident to the police. To do so, attempt to obtain the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the driver and any witnesses, along with the driver’s license plate number, insurance company, and policy number.
In such accidents, the driver of the motor vehicle is often presumed to be the negligent cause of the accident. The driver of the vehicle may provide evidence to argue that you were entirely, or at least partially, responsible for the accident in order to reduce their damages.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Alberta
Whether you’re an experienced cyclist that rides daily, or just a casual rider commuting to their next activity, the reality is that you face risk everytime you hit the road. Often cyclists are put in dangerous situations by drivers, which can cause catastrophic accidents.
Proving negligence is an important part of a bicycle / motor vehicle accident matter. Some of the most common causes of accidents involving bicycles include:
Distracted Driving
Much like accidents involving just motor vehicles, distracted driving is the leading cause of vehicle and bicycle collisions. If a driver is focused on their phone or talking to their friends in the vehicle, instead of driving, they are more likely to not notice a cyclist and may cause an accident.
Speeding
If a driver is going too quickly, they may not notice a cyclist before it’s too late and will be unable to avoid a collision.
Reckless Driving
Whether it be failing to yield, tailgating, running lights or stop signs, weaving in and out of traffic, or making an unsafe lane change, this kind of behaviour is extremely dangerous and can lead to a collision with a cyclist. Bicycle accidents involving reckless driving typically result from drivers running stop signs across bike lanes or merging into a cyclists’ lane to turn without ensuring that the lane is clear and safe.
Free No-Obligation Consultation for Bike Accident Victims
KMSC can help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve by helping to establish that you were the victim in your accident and by ensuring your injuries are properly assessed. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, contact us right away. We offer free no-obligation consultations for those injured in an accident.
We have offices in Grande Prairie, Fairview, Edmonton, La Crete, Beaverlodge and Spirit River. We serve all of Alberta, including Fort McMurray, Grande Cache, High Level, High Prairie, Manning, Peace River, Sexsmith, Slave Lake, and Valleyview.