DC Personal Injury Lawyers

Have you been injured in a bike accident?

GRENIER LAW GROUP HAS AN EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD REPRESENTING INJURED CYCLISTS

Bike Accidents Are an Increasing Problem

Since 1987, over 100 District of Columbia cyclists have died in crashes with motor vehicles. Over the past five years, there has been an average of 653 crashes involving pedestrians and 334 crashes involving bicyclists each year. According to the District Department of Transportation, bike accidents are on the rise as more and more people take to bicycles for their everyday transportation needs. Although biking is a fun, healthy, and environmentally friendly means of exercise and transportation, there is a serious risk of injury or death when bicyclists use roads clogged with cars, buses, pedestrians, and even street cars. Accidents frequently occur when drivers fail to yield to bicyclists or keep a safe lookout, especially in the age of cell phone use and texting while driving. Because cyclists are very exposed, when they are involved in an accident with motorists the results can be devastating for the cyclist. Bike crashes can result in extremely high medical bills, lost wages, permanent injuries, or even death.

Bike Accidents Are an Increasing Problem

Since 1987, over 100 District of Columbia cyclists have died in crashes with motor vehicles. Over the past five years, there has been an average of 653 crashes involving pedestrians and 334 crashes involving bicyclists each year. The District of Columbia’s Department of Transportation statistics show that bike accidents are on the rise as more and more people take to bicycles for their everyday transportation needs. Although biking is a fun, healthy, and environmentally friendly means of transportation, there is a serious risk of injury or death when bicyclists use roads clogged with cars, buses, pedestrians, and even street cars. Accidents frequently occur when drivers fail to yield to bicyclists or keep a safe lookout. Because cyclists are very exposed, when they are involved in an accident with motorists the results can be devastating for the cyclist. Bike crashes can result in extremely high medical bills, lost wages, permanent injuries, or even death.

Equal Rights and Contributory Negligence

Under the laws in most states, bicyclists and cars are bound by the same rules. For example, both cars and cyclists must exercise care when navigating through traffic. Both cars and bicycles must keep a proper lookout when turning. Both cars and cyclists must obey traffic signals and yield to pedestrians where appropriate. Still, cyclists often face an uphill battle in bringing lawsuits for injuries involving motorists. The District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland recognize a doctrine known as contributory negligence. This legal doctrine bars cyclists from recovering for their injuries resulting from a bike crash if they were even 1% negligent in causing the accident. Because contributory negligence can be such a difficult legal hurdle, it is important to contact an attorney who has navigated contributory negligence defenses.