If you were injured in a bicycle crash due to the actions of a negligent motorist, you may have the same right to seek financial compensation. However, you should be aware of some unique aspects of bicycle accidents in Mankato.
Bike crashes have the potential to lead to devastating injuries, and identifying the at-fault party can be more complicated than traditional motor vehicle accident claims. Our compassionate bicycle collision attorneys can help you understand how these types of incidents are different and what that means for your financial recovery.
One of the unique factors of Mankato bicycle crashes is the potential for serious injury. Car accidents can have devastating consequences, but a car’s ability to absorb the impact from another vehicle can better protect its occupants.
There are no similar protections when it comes to cycling. In fact, a rider’s body is likely to absorb the brunt of an impact not only from another vehicle but also from the ground if the collision knocks them off the bike. These injuries can include:
Our attorneys understand the short and long-term effects of these injuries and can help you seek maximum compensation.
Bicycle accidents in Mankato often involve circumstances that are not present if two or more motor vehicles collide. These factors can involve the small size of a bike, limited visibility, or the spaces that cyclists travel that cars do not.
One common example is “dooring,” which occurs if a driver carelessly opens a car door into a cyclist’s path. These crashes happen quickly and can cause the rider to flip over the door or veer into traffic.
Low visibility can also lead to bicycle wrecks. Cyclists are smaller and harder to see than cars, especially at dusk or in the early morning. These accidents are especially common at intersections, where drivers may attempt to turn across traffic and do not see a bike in their path.
Bike lane collisions also present unique risks. Motorists may drift into bike lanes, fail to yield when turning across them, or block them altogether, forcing riders into active traffic lanes. Even if bike lanes are clearly marked, they do not eliminate the danger of inattentive or aggressive drivers.
One of the most unique aspects of investigating a bike collision in Mankato involves determining who was at fault. This requires a close look at state and local bicycle laws to identify which party had the right-of-way at the time of the crash.
For example, bicycles have the same right to use public roadways as cars or motorcycles. However, given their low speed, riders often hug the edge of the lane, allowing cars to pass. If a vehicle passes too close and strikes a cyclist, the driver may be at fault for the accident, even if they were fully in the lane.
There are some areas that prohibit bike riding, particularly on highways. If a cyclist is riding somewhere they should not be, the court could find them partially at fault for the wreck. Our experienced attorneys can investigate your accident and determine who had the right-of-way.
Understanding the unique aspects of bicycle accidents in Mankato can be helpful if you are considering legal action. Managing these claims (or lawsuits) on your own can be difficult.
Our lawyers are based in Mankato but have represented injured cyclists in surrounding areas, as well. Reach out to us right away for a free, confidential consultation.
