Spokane cyclists hurt by potholes in roadways, bike lanes, and bike paths can file injury claims and seek help with their medical bills and their lost income while they can’t work. Those in charge of maintaining roads and paths could be held liable. That might mean a lawsuit filed against the City of Spokane or the County Parks and Rec Department. But any litigation against a government entity can be complex.
CCD Law offers a free case consultation to any injured bicyclist in the Spokane area. We want you to get the support you need to recover and get back on your bike. Let’s talk over what happened to you and investigate the best way to get you the maximum in compensation possible.
Pothole Dangers for Spokane Cyclists
Spokane cyclists have a lot of bike lanes, like those along Howard Street, and bike paths, like the Centennial Trail, to take advantage of. The breathing room away from the rush of traffic is very welcome, but there are other hazards riders must worry about.
The same freezing and thawing that creates potholes in traffic lanes can also leave huge holes in the bike lanes just feet away. Riders can watch as their front tires plunge into a rift, only to find their bikes come to a sudden stop, but they don’t. Victims might be thrown to the pavement or even out close to the rush of passing cars.
The same issues exist for cyclists on roads without bike lanes, such as along Division, when bicyclists must use the same lanes as vehicles and face the same potholes.
These are just a few of the types of damage and negligence that may seriously injure a Spokane Rider:
- Potholes in streets
- Potholes in bike lanes
- Holes forming on dirt paths
- Greenway potholes along asphalt-paved stretches
- Bicycle tires getting stuck in cracks in asphalt and on sidewalks
- Crumbling curbs
- A lack of warning signs around construction areas or damaged pavement
Victims can end up at Sacred Heart Medical Center with brain injuries, neck and back injuries, and broken bones. They can have surgery and weeks of physical therapy to look forward to.
University of Washington Medicine reports that a fractured tibia (shinbone) is a difficult injury to heal from, especially for riders. The tibia is the largest bone in the lower leg. Breaks can occur all along the bone shaft, but the bone is also part of the ankle and knee joints, making recovery even more difficult. Riders shouldn’t expect to be able to put a foot on a bike pedal while they have a brace on, and for months after they get it taken off.
Injured riders should get support for everything they need now, and for anything they may need in the future. Even the emotional trauma caused by having to take major breaks from riding and other things they love can earn support.
A skilled Spokane Bicycle Accident Attorney can monitor the actions of unhelpful insurance companies and make sure riders receive what they need to pay for the best medical care available.
Who Is Liable If I’m Hurt By a Pothole While Riding a Bike?
The appearance of a pothole can represent negligence on the part of maintenance departments, construction crews, or even homeowners in some cases.
Those who own and maintain bike paths, bike lanes, and streets can be fully liable for accidents caused by any road damage that goes unrepaired. In Eastern Washington, that often puts the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and other government entities front and center.
The responsibility comes down to monitoring for dangerous potholes and ruts in paths and fixing them in a reasonable amount of time. It can also be a repair that creates another hazard that’s left behind for cyclists. Such as work done by a bike alliance that might also be found liable for any harm coming to riders.
These are just a few of the entities that might face a lawsuit after a Spokane bike accident:
- The City of Spokane
- Spokane County Traffic Department
- Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
- Organizations responsible for bike path and trail maintenance
- Road construction companies
- Property Owners, Homeowners, Business Owners who may be responsible for sidewalk damage
A skilled CCD Law attorney would be investigating the cause of damage that led to a serious accident for you or a loved one. Evidence would be collected, and then a claim would be filed with the insurance company for the at-fault party.
In many cases, our skilled lawyers can earn much more for victims than they could earn for themselves. Especially when having to go up against a government agency to secure support.
Protecting Yourself When Filing a Claim Against the City of Spokane
Businesses, construction firms, and property owners could be liable for your accident. In most cases, you’d have up to three years to file an injury claim and collect support.
However, when a government agency is at fault, the timeline changes. City, County, and State agencies are granted extra legal protection against lawsuits.
For instance, the statute of limitations on your case may be months instead of years when suing the City of Spokane. You’d have to meet the shorter deadline or lose your chance to ever get a cent in help with your emergency room bills.
The government protections can also mean you’d have to seek permission simply to be allowed to file an injury claim after a bicycle crash. These cases can be very complex and may even put you in direct confrontation with government lawyers.
It’s important to have a skilled legal representative helping you meet all the sneaky deadlines and filing the extensive paperwork on your behalf. It’s the best way to hold a municipal department fully liable for your injury hardships.
Contact a Skilled Spokane Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If your bike accident results in only bike damage or just a few minor scrapes, you may not benefit from the help of a lawyer. But if your injuries are more serious, like a broken bone or a head injury, and a pothole is to blame, you may be in line to secure much more with a lawyer’s help.
Having a lawyer handle the frustrating claims process also allows you to focus on getting better and getting back to the rides you love.
If you are unsure if you need a lawyer, there’s a no-risk way to determine your best options. Contact us and set up a free, no-obligation consultation. We can help you find the best and fastest path to getting support. We can also help you support your case with the strongest evidence to make sure government agencies can’t escape justice.
And if you need our help, you don’t need any money to hire CCD Law. We don’t get paid unless we win your case. If your case is unsuccessful, we don’t earn anything. If we win, our attorney’s fee comes out of the settlement that an insurance company is forced to pay you.