Bikers face a huge danger when they're out on the road, especially if they share it with other vehicles. This is because the person riding a bike has little-to-no chance of survival if they get in a bicycle accident. A motorcyclist can be killed or, at the very least, severely injured by any vehicle because of the huge size difference. When this occurs, they will likely have to deal with incapacitating wounds that prevent them from performing their daily tasks. These situations are terrible, especially if we add the needless stress of financial hardships. Suppose the victim files a civil lawsuit against the party at fault. In that case, a Nashville bicycle accident lawyer from Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys in Nashville is the perfect person for the job. Our Nashville bicycle accident lawyer will do their best to determine who should be held accountable for the accident and quantify your damages so that each loss is considered when determining how much money the plaintiff should ask for in their Nashville personal injury case.
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What Our Clients Have To Say
I have worked with Schuerger Shunnarah twice and they have been very helpful on my personal injury cases. They went above and beyond my expectations and did a great job both times.
- Ashley C.
Schuerger Shunnarah helped me receive a settlement on my case in just months. I was treated with respect and dignity. Thanks to their help, I have been able to get my life back to normal.
- Michael S.
They provided me with excellent service throughout my personal injury case. They were available to answer my questions and helped me understand the process. I am very grateful for them!
- Deshawn B.
Common Injuries Bicycle Accident Victims Suffer
Although bike riders must adhere to the same traffic laws as drivers of other forms of motor vehicles, the harm they would likely sustain in a bicycle accident would be much larger.
It should be no surprise that the injured biker will have to take time off work to focus on healing if their injuries are too serious. They could even need significant physical and/or occupational treatment in some circumstances if they want to restore their lost abilities and learn how to adapt their lifestyle to their incapacitating injuries.
Brain Damage
Head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, are the main reason for most bicycle deaths. Traumatic brain injuries are typically caused by an impact on the head, neck, or shoulders, and its consequences can sometimes be deadly and unpredictable. The human brain is a perfect system, so even a small injury can greatly affect the victim's physical and emotional well-being.
Spine Injuries
The spinal cord is one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body. Bikers can get a spinal cord injury because of a bicycle accident, especially if they're being thrown and/or dragged during the bike crash, which can cause considerable harm. These wounds may result in reduced mobility, persistent discomfort, and possibly physical disability. The body parts below the spinal injury can also get permanently paralyzed if the spinal cord is severed.
Broken Bones
Getting fractured bones is a common consequence of bicycle accidents, and these wounds are very painful and take a long time to heal. When a fractured bone doesn't heal properly, it can cause constant agony and cause permanent disability.
Road Rash
Road rash is what people call severe scratches, cuts, and abrasions that result from bicycle accidents when the victim is pulled, pushed, dragged, or hurled across the pavement. This consequence can result in ugly scarring, facial disfiguration, deadly infections, and slow healing.
Something to remember when dealing with bicycle accident claims is that the physical injuries sustained by the victims tend to be pretty severe. Still, they don't compare to the emotional and monetary losses.
Possible Liable Parties of Bicycle Accidents
A good Nashville bicycle accident lawyer must examine each aspect of their client's bike accident case to determine who is at fault. However, sometimes it is pretty easy to identify the at-fault party. The victim's injuries could have been caused by the car's driver, automakers, bad weather, environmental factors, or even the local transportation department.
Suppose our Nashville bicycle accident lawyer finds out that someone or something's carelessness is to blame for our client's suffering. In that case, they will have to offer proper financial compensation when we file a lawsuit against them in civil court.
Rules for Motor Vehicle Drivers
Nashville motor vehicle drivers are legally obligated to drive carefully whenever they are around bike drivers, no matter what situation they might be in. This includes opening the car doors, which is one of the most common causes of bicycle accidents. A cyclist struck by a vehicle door and thrown off their bicycle is at risk of sustaining any of the previously described injuries. Bicyclists can hold drivers accountable if they fail to watch out for them.
Moreover, drivers must follow particular guidelines when driving near bikers because of how dangerous bike accidents can be for them. Although they have every right to be there, car drivers tend to cause problems for cyclists by riding dangerously near them to frighten them into getting off the road.
A cyclist can get startled and fall onto the road, which will cause them to suffer injuries or die. Bicycles must be treated with the same respect as other motor vehicles, and drivers must give them plenty of room to move. That's why our Nashville bike accident attorneys fight so much to protect the biker's legal right to be on the road.
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Rules for Bikers
Bicyclists have the same rights and obligations as motor vehicle drivers because they are legally considered vehicles. They must obey traffic laws, stay in the bike lanes, follow the traffic flow, and avoid obstructions, such as potholes and parked cars. Bicyclists must ride with caution in traffic because of the many risks they can face.
Additionally, bicyclists older than 17 are not legally required to wear helmets. Regardless of age, not wearing a helmet is not admissible as a possible cause in a civil lawsuit for injuries caused by another party's negligence. This means that just because the victim wasn't wearing a helmet doesn't mean they are to blame for the injury.
Bicyclists are legally allowed to travel alongside motor cars on highways, but many car drivers disregard the rules and tailgate bikers to get them off the road. These actions are too risky, as they can run over a bike rider and cause catastrophic harm.
When using crosswalks, bikers should never assume that drivers are looking out for them and should wait until they have completely stopped before crossing the road. Although these aren't requirements mandated by law, they are useful advice for preventing bicycle accidents.
What Damages Can Be Compensated?
The victim's overall losses will probably be larger than expected, as the total damages include those sustained to the victim's physical, financial, and emotional well-being. Getting compensated for all of these losses is essential if the victim wants to recover.
The following section will explain each of the damages that can be received.
Medical Costs
Since bike accidents tend to cause severe and fatal injuries, medical costs are one of the main damages that must be compensated. They can include emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, therapist visits, physical therapy, rehabilitation, etc. It's crucial to remember that the victim's injuries can have long-term impacts on their health and must be properly taken care of.
Lost Wages
If the victim's physical injuries are too severe, they will not only have to pay high medical fees but also probably won't make as much money because they won't be working as much as they did before the accident. Therefore, if the victim's injuries have long-term consequences, they will likely see a decline in their future earning potential or a change in their career path.
Pain and Suffering
The physical and mental pain and suffering the victims experience after a traumatic bike accident can be severe and challenging to overcome. However, victims of bicycle crashes are entitled to compensation for the psychological trauma they might have to endure. Their bike accident caused significant pain and suffering, which should not be minimized or disregarded in any way.
Client Testimonial
They were polite and really cared throughout the entire process and made me feel like my case was important. I would highly recommend them to anyone that didn’t get a fair offer from the insurance company like me!
- Brian D.
Key Aspects of the Insurance Company
The insurance company handling the claim is interested in minimizing the payout to maintain its profits. In order to achieve this goal, insurers have many effective strategies at their disposal, such as:
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The insurance representative is usually skilled at persuading gullible accident victims into saying things that weaken their claims.
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They could also offer a "lowball" settlement to get the victim to accept a sum before they completely understand the scope of their damages.
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On the other hand, if the victim doesn't agree to the initial settlement, the insurance company can execute a long-term strategy to irritate them to the point where they give up or accept the offer.
This is why bike accident victims must allow their Nashville bicycle accident lawyer to deal with the insurance company on their behalf while they focus on recovering after the accident.
Hire Our Nashville Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries, and they are commonly caused by not following traffic laws.
However, no one should suffer because of someone else's negligence, which is why Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys in Nashville are ready to fight for the rights of anyone involved in a bike crash and get proper compensation from the negligent driver.
We have a team of Nashville bicycle accident lawyers who offer a free consultation to all bike injury victims. Simply contact us, and we will go to war for you!