Nashville Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Representing Victims Hurt on the Road

From small towns to large cities, drivers often fail to notice or give enough space to those riding bikes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this failure leads to tens of thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatal accidents involving bike riders each year.

Bicycle accident lawyer Stanley A. Davis knows that cyclists are vulnerable when sharing the road with cars, and drivers must always be mindful of cyclists. He works to protect this right of cyclists by offering compassionate representation to bike accident victims and their families. Stan is ready to provide the support needed to ensure his clients not only receive respect in the court of law but also compensation to pay for their medical costs and other expenses after suffering injuries in car and bicycle collisions.

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, make sure you reach out to an experienced Nashville bicycle accident attorney today. Contact us online or call (615) 866-3938 for your free consultation today!

What Should I Do If I Am in a Bicycle Accident?

If you are hit by a car while riding a bike, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you feel fine, some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), may not affect you until long after the accident occurred.

After taking care of yourself, speak with an experienced attorney about what happened. Many law firms offer free case consultations where you can speak with someone about the accident. However, not all firms offer free consultations with a qualified attorney. When you call, you may be speaking with a secretary, legal assistant, or paralegal who is only taught to get the basics of your claim to determine if you may have a case. You also cannot ask any questions, as most are advised to not give any legal advice.

Attorney Stan Davis believes in the message behind moving verses such as Colossians 3:23. It states, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” When you call the Law Office of Stanley A. Davis, you will get to talk with Stan as soon as possible. Serving you (the injured, concerned loved one, or grieving family member) after a bike crash is his top priority.

When Are Motorists Responsible for Bicycle Accidents?

The Federal Highway Administration found that the leading cause of bike crashes is being hit by cars. Other causes also include defective components on the bike, hazardous/defective roadways, and cyclist errors. Tennessee traffic laws consider bicycles to be vehicles like any car, truck, motorcycle, or other automobile on the road. Bike riders have the same rights as any other vehicle. Despite this, motorists continue to overlook them until it is too late.

Some common mistakes in which motorists may be responsible for causing accidents with bicycles include when a driver:

• Makes a turn in front of a cyclist
• Is inattentive while passing a cyclist
• Fails to yield or stop at a stop sign
• Pulls out of a parking lot in front of a bicycle
• Opens the car door in front of a cyclist
• Is under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Does not look for other traffic after stopping at a stop sign

These are only a few of the common causes. As cycling gains more and more popularity as a fun method to commute and exercise, drivers need to remember to respect the rights of cyclists and be aware of their presence on the road.

We Handle Bike Accident Claims

Never forget what the scripture tells us in Romans 12:10: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” It is important to respect others and treat individuals on bicycles with the same respect you would hope to receive if you were the cyclist. They have just as much right to the road as any other driver. However, when motorists act without care for the safety of others, accidents can leave riders with severe and often fatal injuries.

We work to defend those harmed in car and bicycle accidents. We believe the ability to afford legal representation should not prevent someone from gaining justice. This is why we offer our services on a contingency fee basis. This means that we will not accept attorney fees unless we obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf.

Call (615) 866-3938 to schedule a consultation for free advice after a bike accident.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

Although careless motorists are often to blame for bike crashes, driver negligence can take many forms.

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Right of way violations: At stop signs and lights, bicycles follow the same laws as all other vehicles. However, motorists may mistakenly assume that cars always have the right of way or may not even notice a cyclist crossing an intersection. The result can be a deadly bike crash.
• Driver negligence when turning: Drivers may neglect to check for cyclists when turning across lanes of traffic, especially at busy turns. Additionally, a driver may pass a cyclist and then attempt to turn right, into the path of the bike.
• Passing accidents: A motorist may attempt to pass a cyclist traveling the same direction but may fail to move far enough to the left. If so, the car may then rear end the bike or sideswipe the cyclist. In either case, the cyclist may sustain a catastrophic bike injury.
• Dooring accidents: If a cyclist is riding down a line of cars and a motorist suddenly opens a door, then the cyclist may impact the door or swerve into traffic. Dooring accidents are almost always the fault of the motorist. The motorist should check that the way is clear before exiting a car when parallel parked.

Tips For Cyclists: How to Avoid a Bicycle Injury

Cyclists cannot always prevent accidents caused by driver negligence. However, being aware of high-risk situations may allow you to avoid the most common causes of bicycle accidents.

Safety tips for cyclists include:

• Wear bright colors: Often, motorists simply do not see cyclists, so maximizing your visibility is a good way to prevent bike crashes. Bright colors and bike lights increase your chances of a motorist seeing you and yielding.
• Follow right of way laws: Like motorists, cyclists should always take care to follow traffic laws and yield the right of way, when necessary.
• Be cautious at intersections: Even if you have the right of way, it is wise to check that other vehicles have come to a full stop before proceeding through an intersection.
• Avoid riding alongside parked vehicles, when able: Since dooring accidents are potentially one of the most dangerous types of bike accidents, avoiding lines of parked cars is often the safest policy.
• Wear a bike helmet: A helmet will help protect you from serious brain injuries if you are involved in a crash.
• Stay alert for turn signals: If you see a car signaling a turn across your path, then slow down.

Although drivers are usually at fault for car vs. bike accidents, cyclists may be able to avoid serious injury by following these steps. Nevertheless, if you are hurt in a bike crash, you may be able to collect compensation from the at-fault driver.

For a free consultation about your case, call (615) 866-3938 or complete our online contact form.