Personal Injury Blog

Morristown NJ Bicycle Accident Attorneys Put Injured Cyclists First

Recovering damages from negligent drivers takes aggressive legal action

Many individuals enjoy riding bicycles, whether it is their primary means of transportation or a weekend hobby. Hundreds of cyclists lose their lives every year in the United States due to tragic crashes. In 2014, for example, 726 cyclists were killed and 50,000 were injured in bicycle accidents. At Leonard Legal Group, our New Jersey accident attorneys are experienced in handing bicycle accidents of all types, ranging from those involving minor injuries to those involving deaths. We fight to obtain the compensation you deserve.

How long do you have to file a bicycle accident claim?

Bicycle accidents are included under the umbrella of personal injury law in New Jersey. There are deadlines in place by which an injured individual must file a personal injury claim, or else that individual may forever lose the right to pursue a case. In New Jersey, this deadline, called the statute of limitations, is two years for a personal injury suit. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, and wait more than two years to file a lawsuit, then you may solely be responsible for the monetary damages you have suffered.

Filing a lawsuit is not a quick process. Attorneys must gather documentation and research the asserted claims to ensure they are valid. In addition, attorneys often negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company in hopes of reaching a reasonable settlement. However, if the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, a lawsuit becomes necessary. Thus, it is important to allow plenty of time to file a claim.

Defenses to Bicycle Accident Claims

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, it is likely that the person who caused your injuries will argue you were at least partly at fault for the accident. Common defenses include:

  • The cyclist was not paying attention while riding;
  • The cyclist failed to yield to traffic signals;
  • The cyclist was not using designated bicycle paths;
  • The cyclist was not wearing protective gear, such as a helmet; or
  • The cyclist was not wearing safety gear, such as flashing lights or a bright vest.

These are just a few of the arguments that an at-fault party may make against an injured cyclist. Without proper legal guidance, the injured cyclist may suffer a reduction in the damages he or she receives. With the assistance of a reputable New Jersey personal injury attorney, you will be able to fight such allegations.

Contact an experienced Morristown New Jersey accident attorney today for a free consultation

If you have been paying for the medical bills you incurred after being injured in a bicycle accident, contact Leonard Legal Group as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation to discuss your options. You may be entitled to compensation. To schedule your free consultation, call our 24-hour call center at 973-984-1414 or contact us online.