Since 1948, Crary and Domanico, P.S. has helped injury victims in Spokane. Anytime you ride your bicycle in Spokane, you’re ultimately at the mercy of those driving vehicles. This, obviously, leads to accidents–one of the most common of which sees you being rear-ended. If you or a loved one have been hurt in one of these accidents, contact us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation to talk about your options.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
Dealing with injuries can be incredibly challenging, particularly after a bicycle accident, which can drastically alter your life. While not every accident is serious, minor ones might not necessitate legal assistance.
However, most bicycle accidents, especially rear-end collisions, often result in substantial injuries. In Washington, hiring a lawyer is optional, but if your injuries are severe, you will likely need all the support and help you can get. That’s where our firm comes in. Here’s how we help bicycle accident victims:
- We find out what happened and who is at fault.
- We help you collect all the needed paperwork and evidence.
- We let you focus on getting better while we handle the legal work.
What you need most at first is simplicity. We work hard to provide that for all our clients, including you. We’ll guide you through each step and explain your options.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Rear-End Bicycle Accident?
Legally speaking, your options don’t change when there’s a rear-end bicycle accident. Your main right as a victim is the ability to file an injury claim to recover “damages.” While your damages will be based on your particular case, you have two main options:
- Filing an insurance claim outside of court
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
Both options aim to help you recover the financial support that Washington law provides, which generally includes:
- Medical expenses such as surgery, emergency care, treatment, and ongoing medical needs
- Repair or replacement costs for your bicycle and other damaged property
- Lost wages or reduced earning potential due to your inability to work
- The impact on your quality of life, including relationships
- Physical pain and suffering from the accident
- Emotional distress you have experienced
The strength of your evidence and how well it demonstrates the accident’s impact will determine the amount of damages you receive. It’s crucial to file your claim within three years of the accident, as missing this deadline means you can’t file a claim or recover damages.
Who Pays For Your Damages in a Bicycle Accident?
Liability is an important part of any claim. It not only sets the course for the process, but it also gives you the person or party that you’ll file the claim against–and has the legal responsibility for covering your damages. While it’s not especially difficult to see how liability will be determined when you’re rear-ended on a bicycle, every case is different and it’s not always straightforward.
Basically, like any other accident, it comes down to negligence. Negligence is the legal duty that others have to keep you safe. When a driver is distracted or speeding, which causes them to rear-end you while you’re on your bike, that usually meets the standard. However, others might be involved as well, depending on what specifically happened:
- Another driver
- Another bicyclist or pedestrian
- The government, if road conditions or traffic signals were a factor
- The manufacturers of brakes or car parts if something malfunctioned
The key issue is who was careless and caused the crash and your injuries. Even if you were hurt, you might still share some blame, which can affect how much financial support you receive. This is due to Washington’s “comparative negligence” rule. As such, it becomes even more important to do what you can to bolster your claim.
How Can You Bolster Your Claim?
The aftermath of a rear-end bicycle accident is obviously very scary. Most likely, you’re looking at serious injuries to vulnerable parts of your body. This is going to make everything more difficult, but at the same time, it’s important to take certain steps to gather the necessary information and evidence you’re going to need to bolster your claim. So, in the aftermath, you’ll want to make sure to:
- Get to safety – Move to a safe area away from traffic if possible and call 911 for an ambulance.
- Call the police – Contact the local police, either the Spokane Police Department or the county sheriff’s office, to make an official record of the accident and gather information.
- Get medical care – Even if you feel fine, get checked by medical professionals at the scene. Paramedics can provide necessary treatment or take you to a hospital.
- Start collecting evidence – If possible, gather evidence immediately. Take photos of the scene, focusing on your bike’s damage, involved vehicles, and visible injuries. Get contact information from witnesses.
- Get further medical care – After the initial check, see specialists for additional medical help. Follow their treatment advice and attend all follow-up appointments.
- Keep records of everything – Maintain detailed records of everything related to the accident, including medical visits, insurance communications, and expenses. These will be crucial for filing claims or seeking damages.
All of these steps add up to doing the right things for your potential claim. It not only shows that you’re committed to getting better, but you’ve also approached things in the right way. That said, it can be tough to do these things if you’re more seriously hurt. That’s where our team can step in and help on your behalf.
How Hurt Can You Get in a Rear-End Bicycle Accident?
It’s not all that surprising or even complicated to understand why you get hurt in a rear-end bicycle accident. When you’re hit from behind, the resulting jolt is often so severe that it causes damage to your head, neck, and spinal areas. But you can experience a rash of potential injuries in these types of accidents, even if you’re careful and wear a helmet. This often includes injuries like:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries or concussions
- Ligament damage
- Spinal cord injuries, resulting in paralysis
Obviously, the severity of these injuries are going to vary from case to case, but the overall effect is that it’s going to create significant challenges for you as you try to get better. A rear-end motorcycle accident can be overwhelming with physical, emotional, psychological, and financial challenges. No matter what you’re facing, our team is here to support you.
Experienced Spokane Bicycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You
At CCD Law, we’re dedicated to helping you after a rear-end bicycle accident in Spokane. We’ll fight for a fair outcome and protect your rights while providing ongoing support so you can focus on getting better. Our experienced team is here to make the process easier for you and your family. To get started with a free consultation, contact us today.
