Clinton Bicycle Accident Lawyers
More people are cycling now than ever before. Some ride for exercise and others ride just to get around. The year-round relatively mild weather in Tennessee means that people are out on bicycles almost every day of the year. Nevertheless, many drivers have problems sharing the road with bicyclists. Politicians sometimes rely on structural changes to reduce the number of bicycle accidents. But as outlined below, these changes sometimes do more harm than good.
The compassionate Clinton bicycle accident lawyers at Fox Farley Willis & Burnette understand the intense pain and suffering these victims must endure on an ongoing basis. Many of the people on our professional team are bicycle accident survivors themselves. The connection we have with victims motivates us to work hard as we build a claim for damages and advocate for victims in court. This connection also prompts us to proactively communicate with our clients throughout the process. No one likes to be in the dark.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents?
Some combination of driver inattention and poor driver attitude causes most of the bicycle wrecks in Anderson County.
Fast-moving objects, like a speeding car or a light that quickly changes colors, capture drivers’ attention when they are behind the wheel. Bicycles are slow and not very eye-catching. Additionally, many motorists drive large vehicles, like SUVs and pickup trucks, which are difficult to see around. Finally, most bicycle accidents occur in early mornings and early evenings, when sunlight is rather dim.
These things don’t excuse driver negligence or inattention. If anything, these facts should prompt drivers to take extra care, especially when they are near schools, in downtown areas, or other places where cyclists congregate.
On a related note, the concrete pillars designed to keep bicyclists safe by separating their lanes from regular traffic lanes sometimes do more harm than good. Drivers cannot see through these pillars. So, they restrict visibility even more. That’s especially the case in a right-turn accident. Usually, when motorists turn right, they mostly look to the left. So, they may not see a bicycle to their right, especially if a pillar is between the bike and the car.
Driver attitude often comes into play as well. Sometimes, driver attitude affects bicycle accidents in surprising ways. Bicycle helmets are a good example. Evidence indicates that, subconsciously, motorists think helmeted riders are more likely to survive collisions. Therefore, these drivers often take unnecessary risks, like turning too sharply or following too closely, in these situations.
Liability Issues
Drivers have a duty of reasonable care. This duty requires them to drive defensively and willingly share the road. If a breach of this duty substantially causes a crash, a Clinton bicycle accident lawyer can obtain compensation in court.
This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Additional punitive damages could be available as well, in some cases.
Common insurance company defenses in bicycle accident claims include comparative fault and last clear chance. Contributory negligence shifts accident blame from one party to the other one. For example, an insurance company might admit that its driver was speeding, but claim the victim didn’t signal a turn. Last clear chance shifts responsibility from the driver who caused the wreck to the driver who failed to prevent it.
Count On a Hard-Working Anderson County Lawyer
Injury victims are usually entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Clinton, contact Fox Farley Willis & Burnette Attorneys at Law by going online or calling 865-500-HURT. Attorneys can connect victims with doctors, even if they have no insurance or money.
