Cars and trucks are not the only vehicles that can hurt a pedestrian. If you are walking on the sidewalk and get hit by a bicycle, you could suffer serious injuries. If you got involved in a crash with a bike and you believe that the cyclist was negligent, you may have a personal injury case on your hands. Our Westchester pedestrian accident attorneys can help you figure out your next steps.
What Kinds of Injuries Can a Bicycle Cause?
Most pedestrians may not consider a bicycle to be a threat like a car or another larger vehicle. A collision with one is still sure to cause injuries though. Bikes can move quite fast and it’s not uncommon for accidents involving them to result in:
- Fractured and broken bones
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Road rash
- Facial and head injuries
As the medical bills pile up, you may start thinking about this accident and how the person riding the bicycle was at fault. Can you do something about that? You can. You can meet with a lawyer and ask about suing for compensation.
Can I Sue a Cyclist After an Accident?
When a car is involved in a pedestrian accident, the usual solution is to sue for damages and collect from the insurance company. You may be wondering about what happens with a cyclist though. Is there bicycle insurance?
There actually are liability policies that you can buy for a bicycle. So if the cyclist had one of those policies in effect, you would be able to collect damages from their insurer. If they do not have that kind of coverage, they may be covered under a renter’s or homeowner’s policy. If those policies are not in effect, then it may be necessary to sue a cyclist directly.
Whatever the insurance situation may be, you can sue for compensation that would help make up for things like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage, like if your glasses, phone, or another expensive item was damaged
What Happens If the Owner of the Bicycle Blames Me For the Crash?
Now, in some cases a cyclist might try to blame a pedestrian for an accident. Maybe they will argue that you stepped out into the street without looking and their bicycle hit you. Maybe they’ll say that you were looking at your phone or inebriated.
The end result is the same. If they can be convincing enough, part of the blame can be assigned to you. This affects how much you can secure in damages.
Let’s say you win $20,000, but it’s determined that you were listening to music and not paying enough attention to your surroundings. You get 30% of the blame for the accident. This reduces your settlement by 30%, netting you $14,000 instead of $20,000. A lawyer can help you defend yourself from accusations like this and fight for the full compensation amount.
Schedule a Free Case Consultation
If you have serious injuries from a bicycle crash, we want to help you. Contact Hausman & Pendzick to schedule a consultation and learn more about how a seasoned personal injury lawyer can help you claim the compensation that you deserve.