West Lafayette Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Devastating injuries can result from bicycle accidents. Cyclists are not afforded the same physical protection as those driving cars or trucks. Accordingly, cyclists can sustain severe harm when they make an impact with vehicles, the road, or other hard objects.

Motorists can exhibit several different forms of negligence that lead to bicycle crashes. After such accidents, at-fault drivers can be sued for the damages they caused. However, in order for plaintiffs’ claims to succeed, they must present evidence that proves their collisions happened because of the defendants’ careless or reckless behavior.

If you were hurt because of a bicycle accident in West Lafayette, get help from our experienced bicycle accident attorneys by calling Wruck Paupore at (219) 322-1166.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in West Lafayette, IN

A high number of bicycle accidents happen because of motorists’ negligence. For instance, one of the most common sources of bicycle accidents is distracted driving. Drivers can become visually, manually, and cognitively distracted by various activities that they perform behind the wheel. Specific actions like texting, picking music, and talking with passengers can involve multiple forms of distraction. While engaged in such activities, drivers are unlikely to notice cyclists sharing the roadway. Thankfully, distracted drivers can be held accountable for bicycle accidents they cause.

Many bicycle accidents also happen because motorists become impatient and travel too closely behind cyclists. These types of crashes are particularly common during periods of high traffic congestion, when drivers are more likely to become agitated by bicyclists they believe are impeding their progress. Some drivers will intentionally close the space between themselves and cyclists in order to force cyclists to yield the road. Victims of such accidents can pursue monetary damages with support from our bicycle accident lawyers. Thankfully, there are multiple types of damages that injured cyclists may pursue.

Dooring accidents are also a common type of bicycle accident that can occur in West Lafayette. These are accidents that happen because drivers and their passengers recklessly open their doors into bicyclists’ lanes of travel. When people do not check for cyclists before opening their doors in front of cyclists, serious injuries can occur. Bicyclists who contact car doors at high speeds can easily be thrown from their bikes and make hard impacts with the ground.

Furthermore, many bicycle accidents occur as the result of improper left turns. When motorists field to yield the right-of-way before turning left at an intersection, they may strike cyclists who were lawfully utilizing the opposite lane of travel. Thankfully, after such accidents, there are several forms of evidence that may be collected to demonstrate that negligent drivers are at fault.

Finally, bicycle accidents often occur because motorists run red lights. When drivers fail to obey traffic signals, they often strike cyclists who are lawfully using the roadways. Many such collisions happen because motorists are unaware of their surroundings.

Bicycle Accidents Caused by Defective Parts

Still, not all bicycle accidents happen because of other drivers’ negligence. In some cases, crashes occur because bikes were equipped with defective parts. When parts are not designed, manufactured, or marketed correctly, cyclists can suffer the consequences. For example, bicycle accidents can occur as the result of defective front wheels, pedals, forks, suspensions, and brakes. If you suspect your crash happened because one of your bike’s parts malfunctioned, then you may be able to sue the part’s seller or manufacturer.

However, bringing claims against sellers and manufacturers of bicycle parts can be a complex task. Usually, expert witness testimony will be necessary to explain why a defective part is to blame for your crash. For example, an engineer may be summoned to demonstrate how a poorly manufactured front wheel led to your accident. Accordingly, having competent legal representation on your side can be highly beneficial when filing a claim against a defective part’s seller or manufacturer.

Examples of Evidence Used to Support Bicycle Accident Claims in West Lafayette, IN

In order for your bicycle accident claim to prevail, you must be able to prove that the defendant’s negligence caused your crash. Furthermore, you will have to demonstrate that you suffered injuries because of your crash. The following are all examples of evidence that may be used to support your case:

Medical Records

After suffering a bicycle accident, you should seek medical treatment as soon as you can. A doctor must document your injuries if you want to recover damages in a bicycle accident claim. Accordingly, if you wait for your injuries to heal on their own, you may complicate the settlement process. Further, the defendant may assert that a delay in treatment means you are not severely hurt.

In addition to demonstrating the degree of harm caused by your injuries, your medical records will also be used to calculate your compensation for medical expenses. You may recover monetary damages for any medical bills you incur as a result of your bicycle accident injuries.

Witness Testimony

Witness testimony is among the most valuable forms of evidence that can be used to prove fault for bicycle accidents. Witnesses can provide written and oral testimony that establishes how or why collisions occurred. For instance, a witness may assert that the defendant caused your accident by making an improper left turn. You should always attempt to retrieve contact information from eyewitnesses in the aftermath of your crash.

Evidence from the Scene

Evidence from the scene of your bicycle accident is another form of evidence that can be used to establish fault. Both physical evidence and photos taken at the scene can be helpful for your case. For instance, broken pieces of glass may be matched with a defendant’s headlight to prove that they were the driver who hit you. Furthermore, photos of your badly damaged bicycle may be used to prove that the at-fault driver was speeding when your crash occurred.

Victims of Bicycle Accidents in West Lafayette Can Call Our Lawyers for Support

Seek support from our experienced bicycle accident lawyers at Wruck Paupore by dialing (219) 322-1166 for a free evaluation of your potential case.