Salt Lake City Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Many cyclists are careful and vigilant when riding their bikes. Yet, even with the best defensive riding practices, motorists and other road users can strike them. These crashes can lead to serious injuries because cyclists typically have little protection against the direct impact of a vehicle or the road if a crash knocks them down.

If a cycling accident injured you, you may face a lengthy hospital stay, substantial medical bills, and lost income. A Salt Lake City bicycle accident lawyer at Valiente Mott Injury Attorneys could help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. With more than 40 years of experience in personal injury law, we could work hard to protect your interests and help you seek the compensation you need to cover your losses.

What Causes Bicycle Accidents?

Bicycle crashes do not happen without a cause. In many cases, another road user’s negligence leads to the collision. Common causes that a bike crash lawyer in Salt Lake City may investigate include:

• Drunk driving
• Right hook turns
• Left hook turns
• Distracted driving
• Failure to yield the right of way to a cyclist
• Aggressive driving
• Passing too closely to a cyclist

Additional causes include “dooring” incidents, which occur when vehicle occupants open their doors into a rider’s path and cause a collision. Although other road users cause many bicycle accidents, cyclist inattention, riding against traffic, and improperly navigating four-way intersections can also contribute to a crash.

Liability in a Bicycle Accident Injury Claim

Before you can file an injury claim, you first have to identify who caused the crash. In many collisions between cars and bicycles, motorists are at fault. However, it is not enough to allege that they caused your crash. You have to prove liability by investigating the circumstances of the crash, reviewing available footage, and collecting sufficient evidence.

You need concrete evidence to establish who is at fault. The most common liable parties include motorists who fail to yield or see cyclists. The municipality could be at fault if poor roads or city infrastructure contributed to the accident. An experienced bicycle collision attorney in Salt Lake City could review the facts of your case to determine who to hold liable. We could then file an injury claim on your behalf to seek compensation.

What To Do and Avoid After a Bicycle Accident

Your actions immediately after a bicycle collision can influence the outcome of your injury claim. Here is what you should do after a crash:

• Seek medical help
• Document the accident scene and exchange insurance information with the other party
• Ask witnesses for statements and contact information, as they may also have useful dashcam footage
• Consult a Salt Lake City cycling accident attorney about your case
• File your claim as soon as possible

You should avoid speaking with insurance adjusters without legal representation. Do not delay going to the hospital, even if you feel fine. Prompt treatment can help document your injuries for an insurance claim, and symptoms of injuries such as internal bleeding may not appear immediately. You should also avoid posting anything about your accident on social media.

Contact an Attorney About Your Salt Lake City Bicycle Accident Today

Although you may have two to four years to file an injury claim, it is best to act quickly to avoid complications. At Valiente Mott Injury Attorneys, our Salt Lake City bicycle accident lawyer could guide you through the claims process and help you pursue compensation. Call us today to schedule a case evaluation.