ALEXANDRIA BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

Protecting Your Rights on the Road

Biking can be a fun and healthy pastime. However, when a collision occurs between a cyclist and an automobile driver, cyclists usually suffer the most injuries because of the minimal protections afforded by bicycles.

To add insult to injury, insurance companies strongly contest these claims. They attempt to provide bike accident victims with minimal compensation or try to wholly shift the blame to the victim and avoid any responsibility. Do not fall into an insurance company’s trap. The insurance company is not concerned with your well-being and will work vigorously to devalue your claim.

After being involved in a bicycle accident, it is important that you retain experienced and skilled legal counsel. The bicycle accident attorneys at Portner & Shure have successfully represented bicycle accident victims for more than 30 years throughout Virginia. Our team can assist you and your family to obtain the compensation you are owed.

Give us a call at (410) 995-1515 or contact us online today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the number of bicycle accidents in Virginia continues to rise as years go by.

Common causes of bicycle accidents in Virginia include:

• Negligent drivers
• Failure to yield
• Improper lane changes
• Improper passing
• Driver error (running a traffic light, failing to stop at a stop sign)
• Drunk drivers
• Traffic law violations
• Insufficient understanding of bicycle laws in Virginia
• Right-turn or left-turn accidents
• Distracted driving (texting while driving)
• Sideswipe accidents

Injuries Suffered in Bicycle Accidents

Bike riders are susceptible to a wide variety of severe injuries. This remains the case whether or not the cyclist was wearing a helmet. Bicycles simply provide very little protection to riders. Therefore, bike accident victims sustain significant and tragic injuries in most cases.

The most common injuries encountered in bicycle accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Nerve damage
• Road Rash (aka friction burn)
• Broken bones/fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Accidental amputation
• Internal organ injuries
• Paralysis
• Sprains, torn ligaments, and other soft tissue injuries
• Bruises, scrapes, cuts, and abrasions

The severity of bicycle accidents correlates to extensive medical treatment. The funds required to treat the injuries of bicycle accident victims can be enormous. This figure only increases when bike accident victims are unable to work due to their injuries. Although, bicycle accident victims are entitled to damages for their medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering in Virginia, if they can file a successful claim or lawsuit.

Can I File a Lawsuit If I Was Partially At-Fault for the Bicycle Accident?

In short, the answer is no. You cannot file a lawsuit in Alexandria if you were partially at-fault for the bicycle accident.

This is a standard practice because the extensive injuries sustained by bicycle accident victims mean that insurance companies vigorously defend these cases. Insurance companies attempt to use defenses like contributory negligence and assumption of the risk to outright deny the claims of bicycle accident victims (even if these defenses do not apply).

Virginia is in the minority of states that permit the defense of “contributory negligence.” Under this affirmative defense, if a personal injury victim is even 1% at fault, they are precluded from recovering any compensation for their injuries. If the other side can prove that the victim’s own negligent actions contributed to the incident, they obtain no recovery. This harsh rule emphasizes the importance of letting a skilled attorney speak to the insurance company on your behalf and present your case in the most favorable light possible.

Expect More with the Lawyers at Portner & Shure

Our Alexandria bicycle attorneys work tirelessly to protect our clients and obtain the compensation they are owed. Our firm has a reputation for excellence and client-centered advocacy, which is best illustrated in our countless five-star reviews. Portner & Shure, P.A. has additional resources and information available in Spanish, Chinese, and Korean. There is no reason to worry if English is not your first language because language is no barrier for our eclectic team.

Portner & Shure receives no fee unless we obtain a settlement or judgment on your behalf.

For additional information about our skilled personal injury team in Alexandria, give us a call at (410) 995-1515 or submit an online contact form today.