Cyclists enjoy riding around Kennewick for many reasons. There are great views. It’s a wonderful way to get exercise. The whole family can join in the ride. Riding a bike is good for the environment and an inexpensive form of transportation. Bike riding is also dangerous. One bump, one moment’s loss of concentration, or one slick patch of road or sidewalk can cause a driver to lose control. Worse, most car drivers don’t respect the rights of bicyclists. When a car crashes into a cyclist, the bike rider is likely to die or suffer catastrophic injuries.
At Telaré Law, our experienced personal injury attorneys are trial lawyers. We prepare each personal injury claim and each wrongful death claim for court. It’s our strong track record of success trying cases that persuades many insurance companies to make fair and just settlement offers. We work with investigators, question witnesses and defendants, and thoroughly prepare all the evidence necessary to prove a negligent driver is liable. Our Kennewick bicycle accident lawyers work with your doctors if you suffer a catastrophic injury. We explain what rights family members have when a bicycle accident kills a loved one.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 846 bicycle riders were killed in traffic accidents in 2019. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children (5-14 years) and adolescents (15-19 years) account for more than one-third of all bicycle-related injuries that result in the rider being treated in an emergency room. Most bicycle fatalities occur in urban areas and non-intersection locations.
Unlike occupants of cars and trucks, a bicycle provides no protection for the rider. Riders who are struck by cars will usually be crunched by the car or fly off their bicycle. The best way to avoid injuries or deaths is to avoid the accident in the first place. The best way to ensure drivers avoid accidents is to hold them accountable for the injuries and deaths they do cause.
A Kennewick bike crash lawyer could handle every type of bicycle accident that causes serious injuries or death. Bicycle accidents happen when car, truck, and motorcycle drivers:
We also handle bike accident claims that do not involve drivers. If bike lanes are poorly designed and/or maintained, the city may be liable. If your injuries are the result of a defective bike part or helmet, the manufacturer could be accountable.
Many cars strike bicycle riders because the car driver does not respect the right of the bicycle rider to share the road with a car. Even when respect the right of the bicycle rider, they may often fail to appreciate the speed of the bicycle rider, and when the bicycle rider is going to turn.
Other common reasons why cars strike bicycles include:
Numerous rules that apply to bicycle riders. Some of these rules are:
There are additional rules for electric bikes.
According to the state Department of Transportation:
There is no state law requiring that bicycle riders use helmets. Some cities and counties do require helmets, though Kennewick is not one of them.
The state Department of Transportation has numerous bicycle safety tips, including:
Bicycle riders should take steps to help drivers see them and appreciate their right to be on the road. Common safety precautions include wearing bright clothing, using bicycle reflectors and clothing reflectors, riding on the shoulder of the road or the sidewalk, and using your lights. Generally, nighttime driving is much more dangerous than riding a bicycle during the day; wearing the right clothing may offer some additional protections.
At Telaré Law, we file claims against all responsible parties. The possible defendants when a car accident causes your injuries include:
In some cases, the driver may also be charged criminally for causing the accident. A bicycle accident attorney in Kennewick could collect evidence to prove a driver responsible for a cyclist’s injury.
When a bicycle accident happens, victims can file a personal injury claim. Damages in a personal injury claim include medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and property damage. If a rider suffers head trauma, burn injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, or other catastrophic injuries, the damage award needs to compensate the victim for the rest of his/her life. When the rider is a child, these financial burdens can be even more significant.
If a loved one died, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family members.
When a driver is responsible for a bicycle accident, the driver’s liability insurance policy should pay for the damages. If your losses were the result of someone else’s negligence – a manufacturer, for example, or another third-party – then that entity’s insurance should cover your damages. In some cases, multiple parties will be responsible for covering the costs associated with your injury.
Telaré Law maintains an office in Kennewick at 819 South Auburn St. We also have an office in Richland. Our lawyers meet with bicycle accident victims at their homes or a hospital if the victim is immobile.
Team Telaré understands your fears and concerns. We’ve been fighting for personal injury victims in Southeast Washington for 25 years. Our lawyers are respected by former clients, insurance companies, and defense lawyers for our ability to argue claims before a jury. We work aggressively to prove the defendants were liable and to show just how traumatic and life-changing your injuries are. We understand how devastating it is when a loved one dies due to negligence.
To discuss your rights and get answers to all your questions, contact the Kennewick bicycle accident lawyers of Telaré Law to schedule an appointment. We represent bicycle accident victims and families on a contingency fee basis.