Bicycle And Pedestrian Accidents

These types of cases often involve substantial financial settlements for the victims of the accident. To help ensure that individuals and families receive the fair compensation that they deserve, it is wise to employ legal representation to assist in their case. The professional and cordial legal representatives at the McMinn Law Firm are experienced in bike accident and pedestrian injury claims, and can aggressively assert your individual rights against all parties found to be negligent in your case. We provide free consultations and are happy to send our representatives to your home or to visit you and your family in the hospital. We strive to make personal connections and work diligently to help you and your family understand the complexities of your case so that we can serve you and your interests.

How Often Do Serious Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents Occur?

Due to the limited level of protection cyclists and pedestrians have on the street, they have a greater risk of injury if a collision with a motorized vehicle occurs. It is estimated that 69,000 pedestrians were injured in collisions with bicycles and motorized vehicles in 2011. In 2010, over 4,000 pedestrians were fatally injured in traffic accidents. Here in Austin, there has been an average of 315 bicycle collisions every year, for the last five years. Over 88 percent of those collisions resulted in either minor or serious injuries. These collisions can result in serious injuries such as:

• Road rash
• Broken bones
• Bruises
• Head trauma
• Traumatic brain injury

These statistics highlight the dangers of biking or walking near roadways where motorized vehicles are often traveling at excessive speeds. They also illustrate the costly nature of bicycle and pedestrian accidents.

Accidents involving motorized vehicles, pedestrians or bicycles can be caused by many different factors.

Following are a few of the most common reasons:

Driver Negligence

Driver negligence is perhaps the most common theme pursued in personal injury claims made by bicyclists or pedestrians. If it can be proved that the driver of the motorized vehicle was distracted, you can move to file a claim to receive compensation for losses or injuries incurred in the accident. Drivers can be distracted by many other potential distractions. The difficulty arises in proving that the driver was indeed distracted. This is where having an experienced legal team on your side can be invaluable.

Malfunctioning Traffic Lights and Obstructed Signs

A malfunctioning traffic light or obstructed stop sign can result in a collision between a motorized vehicle and a pedestrian or cyclist. If it is determined that a malfunctioning traffic sign was at fault for the collision, the state, local, or national government entity responsible for maintaining the safety of the roadway may be found liable for any injuries or fatalities that occur. Once again, the establishment of proof and procurement of evidence to bring a claim against any party will require professional representation.

Defective Automobile or Bike Part

The fault for a bicycle or pedestrian accident may be placed on the automobile or bicycle manufacturer. This case will only be considered if it can be established that a specific bicycle or automobile part was defective upon assembly of the vehicle. Bringing a claim against a corporate manufacturer can prove incredibly difficult and expensive for individuals or families. Most corporations employ extensive legal teams to specifically avoid this type of litigation. The experienced investigative team at the McMinn Law Firm can assist in seeking fair compensation for any injuries or losses that occur as a result of a defective automobile or bicycle part.