Bicycle Accident FAQs

Q: How Common Are Bicycle Accidents?

According to data by the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2019, 843 bicyclists were killed in a motor vehicle crash, with people over the age of 20 most susceptible to a bicycle fatality. Although bicycle accidents only account for two percent of motor vehicle crash deaths, they remain a serious problem on U.S. roadways.

Q: What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident?

After a bicycle accident, there are multiple steps you should take to preserve your safety and the validity of your claim.

Check for injuries. Whether it is you or a fellow bicyclist who is hurt in an accident, be sure to check for any injuries. Do not move if you have been hit and instead, wait for medical help to arrive to assess the severity of your injuries.

Wait for the police to arrive. Even if you have not been injured, you must wait for the police to arrive at the scene of the accident to take a formal report.

Do not admit fault or accept the fault of the driver. In highly stressful situations, drivers may say they were at fault for the accident and even apologize to the victim. However, do not accept this as the final truth as you do not know how many injuries or damages you have sustained which can make the driver change their mind.

Get contact information. You will want to get the contact information of the driver involved in the accident as well as any witnesses to the collision. This will be important when it comes time to file a claim.

Document everything. Take photos of the accident scene including damage to your bike, the road conditions, and the driver’s vehicle. This can be useful in establishing negligence and building your case should a bike accident attorney need to recreate the scene.

Q: Who Is at Fault if a Bicycle Was Involved in an Accident?

If a bicycle is involved in an accident with a car, the driver could be held liable for the injuries the bicyclist sustained if the driver was operating the vehicle in a negligent manner. This may include failing to check a bike lane for any upcoming cyclists, failing to use turn signals, etc.

However, a bicyclist must also operate their vehicle in a safe manner, meaning if they are riding a bike negligently and then become involved in an accident, they can share in the fault for the accident, or be held liable completely, depending on the facts of the case.

Q: What Happens if the At-Fault Party in My Bicycle Accident Doesn’t Have Insurance?

If the at-fault party in a bicycle accident doesn’t have insurance, you may be able to use uninsured motorist insurance (UIM) to pay for the damages in the accident. Some states require you to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance while others do not, so be sure to check with your auto insurance company for the details of your policy.

In many cases, the coverage you have on your car also applies to your bicycle.

Q: How Can a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help Me?

If you are involved in a collision as a cyclist, the DC bicycle accident lawyers of Regan Zambri Long can help you navigate this trying time. A bicycle accident lawyer can help you by:

• Helping you file a claim with the insurance companies, or against the negligent driver
• Gather evidence from the collision or if needed, work with professionals who can recreate the accident
• Establish negligence
• Negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement
• Represent you in court if your case goes to trial

Q: How Does Contributory Negligence Affect Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents?

If you are a pedestrian or bicyclist who is injured after a collision with a car, determining liability in such an accident can be difficult. In Washington, DC, contributory negligence laws can greatly impact a settlement.

Contributory negligence is a law that does not allow a plaintiff to recover any compensation for their injuries if they were negligent in any way in causing the accident. For example, a pedestrian or cyclist may be held partially to blame for an accident if:

• They were walking or riding under the influence
• They did not follow proper road rules and pedestrian safety
• They have acted or moved in an unsafe manner

Q: What Damages Can I Recover in a Bike Accident Lawsuit?

If you are involved in a bike accident lawsuit, you may be able to recover the following forms of damages:

• Tangible losses: These include economic damages like medical bills, property damage, lost income, and compensation for permanent injuries.
• Intangible losses: Considered non-economic damages, this would include damages related to pain and suffering.
• Punitive Damages: These awards serve as a deterrent to the driver to never engage in the extremely careless behavior again. These are typically only rewarded in cases of extreme negligence like the driver was under the influence, the accident occurred in a school zone or another strongly enforced driving area, or if excessive speeding was to blame.

Q: How Do I Choose a Bicycle Accident Attorney?

If you are involved in an accident and are wondering how to choose a bicycle accident attorney, you need to consider the following elements:

• Is the bike accident attorney trustworthy and highly regarded by past clients?
• Does the attorney have experience with bicycle and pedestrian accidents?
• Does the law firm communicate with you regularly regarding the status of your case?
• Is the bicycle accident attorney compassionate and understanding?
• Does the law firm have the financial backing to see your case to its close?

Q: Why Are Bicycle Accidents So Common in DC?

With the expansion of modern bikeshare programs and commuters looking for economical ways to travel to and from work in the DC metropolitan area, bicycle accidents have also increased in the area.

Common reasons bicycle accidents remain common in D.C. include:

• Distracted driving
• Failure to abide by pedestrian rules
• Cycling while distracted

Q: I Was Injured in a Bike Accident. How Can Regan Zambri Long Help?

If you or your loved one were injured in a bicycle accident you need to connect with a Regan Zambri Long bicycle accident attorney. With bike accident attorneys in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland, Regan Zambri Long is well versed in the local laws, courts, and various insurance policies. We can take our knowledge and experience and put it to the test for you.

We know how difficult it can be to recover following an accident, especially when it was your bicycle versus a standard passenger vehicle. Because of this, we work diligently to represent you, so you can focus on your health.

For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact the bike accident attorneys of Regan Zambri Long at 202-960-4596 or by connecting with us online.