Rhode Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Motor Vehicle Collision Lawyer Assisting Providence Residents

Because of the nature of bicycles and their inability to fully protect riders, when a vehicle and bicyclist collide, catastrophic injuries often result. Drivers who fail to pay proper attention to the road should be held liable for any injuries that result from their carelessness. Providence bicycle accident lawyer David Tapalian at Tapalian Law assists victims of bicycle accidents with pursuing proper legal action against those responsible for causing them harm. Mr. Tapalian has over 20 years of experience as a motor vehicle collision lawyer representing people in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in personal injury claims. He works tirelessly to ensure that they aggressively seek the compensation that they are entitled to receive and that is necessary to cover the costs of recovery.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

It has been reported that in 2012, over 6,000 individuals were injured as a result of a bicycle collision with a vehicle. Many of these accidents resulted in serious injuries, and some of them were even fatal. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Drivers failing to look for bicyclists when making a turn, often when exiting a driveway or parking lot.
• Parking drivers opening a vehicle’s door without looking for approaching cyclists.
• Crosswalk accidents in which motorists fail to yield the right of way.
• A buzzing accident when a vehicle, traveling at a high speed, passes a bicyclist too closely, causing the biker to lose control or balance.

Injuries sustained as a result of a bicycle collision with a truck, car, or motorcycle may range from minor scrapes and bruises to much more serious complications, including brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage, or even death. Making sure that the appropriate parties are held accountable for causing these types of injuries is not only necessary to make sure that medical costs are covered but also important for a victim’s peace of mind. A bicycle accident attorney in Providence is important for this purpose.

Holding Drivers Responsible for Bicycle Accident Injuries

When a driver operates their vehicle in a careless or reckless manner, a bicyclist may be the person who suffers the most. A bike rider who is injured in an accident may pursue damages against a liable driver in a personal injury case. These claims are based on the theory of negligence, and they require a showing that the defendant-driver breached their duty to act as a reasonable and prudent person would act under the circumstances. A victim must also show that the breach was a proximate cause of their injuries and resulted in damages. For instance, a driver who hits a cyclist because they did not take proper precautions when turning may be seen as having taken an unreasonable action on the road.

If liability is established, a plaintiff may recover damages for the costs associated with past and future medical treatment, lost income and earning capacity, and their pain and suffering. If a cyclist loses their life in a collision, certain family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible driver in order to be compensated for burial and funeral expenses, as well as loss of support damages. In Rhode Island and Massachusetts, a personal injury or wrongful death case must be filed within three years from the date of the injury or death.

Discuss Your Case with a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in the Providence Area

Bicycle accidents may require a long recovery process, either for a victim who suffers a serious injury or for family members dealing with grieving for a lost loved one. Providence bicycle accident attorney David Tapalian offers compassionate and seasoned legal representation to victims and their families going through the aftermath of a collision. Our firm assists people throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts from offices in Providence as well as Seekonk. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, contact us online or at (401) 552-5000 to find out more about our services. We offer a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer or a wrongful death attorney.