Prince George’s County Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Prince George’s County is a perfect place to ride a bicycle due to the many parks and bike paths. Whenever sharing the road with motor vehicles, bicyclists are at high risk of injury or death.
If you or a loved one were severely injured in a bike crash, a Prince George’s County bicycle accident lawyer could help your case. Roger Gelb is ready to fight for you to receive fair compensation. With the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, you may be eligible to recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, lost wages, and mental anguish.
Identifying the Cause of The Collision
The first step in receiving compensation after a bike crash is identifying the cause of the accident. Some bike accidents occur when a bicyclist hits a pothole or other defect in the roadway, but frequently negligent or reckless car drivers cause bike accidents. The most common causes of a bike collision include:
- Drunk drivers
- Distracted drivers
- Drivers who turn at intersections cutting off bicyclists
- Car drivers or passengers who fail to check for an oncoming bicyclist when opening their car door
- Motorists veering into dedicated bike lanes
- Automobile drivers who tailgate bikes or drive too closely to bicycles
Many times, skilled bicyclists who ride with caution and obey the rules of the road can avoid accidents. However, when they encounter careless, or reckless automobile drivers, there is not much they can do to prevent a crash.
If a survivor of a bike wreck is unsure what caused their accident, local bike crash attorneys could perform a thorough investigation. They would try to reconstruct what happened by looking through police reports, eyewitness testimony, traffic camera footage, medical records, and other relevant evidence from the crash scene.
Proving Liability After a Bike Accident in Prince George’s County
A Prince George County bike crash lawyer could help prove why the at-fault driver bears legal responsibility. Generally, to prevail, a bike crash survivor would have to show that the driver was negligent. To prove negligence, a survivor would have to demonstrate the following four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: Every car driver owes a duty of care to fellow drivers and occupants of the road.
- Breach of that duty of care: If a driver is careless or breaks the law, such as by texting while driving, they breach that duty of care.
- Causation: An accident survivor would need to prove that the driver’s mistake caused the accident. For example, a claimant could show that they failed to see a bike before crashing into it because a driver was texting.
- Damages: A bicyclist would need to demonstrate that they actually suffered damages in the accident, such as by showing that they sustained costly physical and emotional injuries.
An experienced attorney knows the issues, understand the laws, and could help a bicyclist demonstrate how the at-fault driver was negligent and thus liable for damages.
Get in Touch with a Prince George’s County Bike Crash Attorney Today
Although motor vehicle and bike accidents are not very common in Prince George’s County, when they do happen, they can result in devastating injuries and fatalities. It is essential to work with a local law firm who will work with you to get you the compensation and the justice that you deserve. Reach out to an experienced Prince George’s County bicycle accident lawyer at Gelb & Gelb, P.C. today to see how they can help you.