The Wyoming Department of Transportation states that 73 bicycle accidents occurred from 2015 to 2017. Of those 73 accidents, one crash resulted in a fatality. That fatality is one too many. While cycling has increased in popularity, drivers are still often reluctant to share the road, or fail to see a cyclist on the road. If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident in Wyoming, Utah, or Idaho, you should seek an attorney’s advice. Our lawyers at Rocky Mountain Personal Injury Center specialize in plaintiff’s personal injury claims and can provide assistance with your claim.
Sharing the Road
Bicyclists are granted the same rights as vehicles on the road. Notwithstanding, they must adhere to all rules of the road as if they were maneuvering a vehicle. This means stopping at stop signs and red lights, yielding when appropriate and adhering to all road signage. Generally speaking, cyclists are to travel with the direction of traffic if at all possible. Unfortunately, unlike most vehicular collisions, when a cyclist collides with a car or truck, the cyclist almost always incurs more severe injuries.
Sometimes, a driver does not even need to be actively driving the vehicle for injuries to occur. For example, drivers are supposed to look in their rearview or side mirrors prior to opening their doors and exiting their vehicle. If a driver swings open the car door without looking and a cyclist rides by, they could run directly into the door, breaking vehicle glass, damaging their bike, and incurring serious physical injuries. Car drivers often do not give enough space to cyclists when they are making left turns and can strike them with very little force. Cyclists have no barrier of protection from the elements or from a potential collision. While some drivers may consider cyclists a nuisance, they have every right to be on the road, and both drivers and cyclists are expected to look out for one another and abide by traffic laws.
Recovery
If you were injured in a collision with a vehicle, truck, scooter, or even another cyclist, you may be entitled to damages. In Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah, comparative fault statutes dictate a plaintiff’s recovery. As long as the plaintiff can establish that their own negligence was not a 50% or greater contribution to the accident, they can recover an adequate proportion of damages from the defendant. If multiple vehicles were involved in the collision, this requires additional discovery, and there is no limit to the number of defendants a plaintiff can file a claim against, as long as they have a legitimate claim for which relief can be granted. It is critical that you seek medical treatment if needed and follow your doctor’s instructions. If you are severely injured and were forced to miss work, resulting in lost wages, future lost wages, and additional damages, you are entitled to additional recovery.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Our lawyers work exclusively with plaintiffs to seek damages for personal injuries. We are available to schedule a consultation, and we look forward to working with you to achieve justice. If you or a loved one are suffering from bicycle accident injuries, do not go it alone. Call the lawyers at Rocky Mountain Personal Injury Center today.
