It’s always worth contacting a personal injury law firm for a free consultation following a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle. Even if you were “doored” by a stationary vehicle, the injuries and long-term implications could be quite severe. According to ICBC, 1 in 14 cyclist collisions involves dooring. Common injuries include head trauma, concussions, broken arms, broken teeth, and soft tissue tears. Knowing your rights in this situation is critical to making a full recovery without going bankrupt. If you’re seeking Squamish bicycle accident lawyers, you can find an expert legal team at Preszler Law.
What Causes Bike Accidents?
Eighty percent of motor vehicle/bicycle collisions occur during the weekdays between 4:00 and 7:00 pm.
Most injuries occur in collisions with fixed objects. Motorists cause about 37% of injuries.
Legal Options Following A Bike/Car Accident in British Columbia
When a motorist was involved in your cycling accident, you are covered under ICBC’s “no-fault” Part 7 benefits. Once a bicycle accident lawyer can establish that it occurred as a result of the “use or operation of a motor vehicle,” you could be entitled to:
For some bicycle accident victims, ICBC coverage is enough. For others, road bumps in the claims process may jeopardize your ability to pay your medical expenses. ICBC may refuse to cover your claim entirely or may pay you less than what your injuries are worth. Certain types of serious injury – particularly those resulting in life-long disability – will eventually exceed the maximum policy limits of ICBC coverage.
The Squamish bicycle accident lawyers at Preszler Law can advocate on your behalf to negotiate better benefits with ICBC and also help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the motorist if necessary. In the most disabling cases, it may be advantageous to collect ICBC benefits and file the lawsuit.
In rare cases, a criminal case can be opened against the motorist if the infliction of injury was intentional or an example of gross misconduct. Consulting with a law firm is the best way to know for sure what the next step should be. Our goal is to put you on the fast-track to recovery with a full bank account to cover all expenses. It starts with a free consultation. After that, you can hire us on a contingency basis, at no upfront cost. You only pay the standard legal fee if we recover compensation.