What Should I Do After Being in a Cycling Accident in Little Rock?

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While bicycles are not considered vehicles, they are accorded similar responsibilities and rights on the road in Arkansas. Despite this, many other motorists disregard the safety of cyclists. Cycling accidents are quite common, and many victims might not know what to do next.

The adrenaline rush following the impact leaves the cyclist even more confused. But if you are informed on how compensation in such cases works, you will probably have more confidence in the steps to talk. A Little Rock personal injury lawyer can guide victims of bicycle accidents and their families on how to ensure they receive compensation for injuries sustained.

How Do I Know if the Cycling Accident Was Out of Negligence or Recklessness?

If you can recall the events that transpired before the bicycle accident, it is easier to tell if it happened out of another road user’s recklessness or negligence. Behaviors of negligent drivers on the road include:

  • Failure to check blind spots to see cyclists
  • Disregarding traffic officers or signals
  • Running stop signs or red lights
  • Driving under influence
  • Distracted driving
  • Improper passing
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Road rage or aggressive driving
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Speeding
  • Dooring

Ensure that you inform your Little Rock bike accident attorney about the above. It can significantly help with investigations and the building of a solid case. Additionally, make sure that you do the following after the incident;

  • Get medical attention
  • Refuse to admit fault
  • Gather pieces of evidence if you can
  • Exchange information with everyone involved
  • Help other injured people if you can
  • Call the police

How Do I Know if I Was Cycling as Required in Arkansas?

Apart from the other motorist’s negligence or recklessness, your own behavior on the road might impact your case. Title 27 of the statutes specifies the duties and rights of cyclists in Arkansas. You are required to;

  • Not ride your bicycle under the influence
  • Indicate your position in traffic using appropriate hand signals
  • Have a red light in the rear and a white light in the front
  • Ride on the right side of the road
  • Wear a helmet on paved trails and roads if you are 14 years or younger

Remember that even if a negligent driver caused the bicycle accident, failing to adhere to road rules can jeopardize your case in Arkansas.

Should I Give Up if I Was Partly at Fault for the Cycling Accident?

Cycling accidents are not always the fault of the driver. Sometimes, the cyclist might have contributed to the crash. And when this happens, you might be hesitant about seeking compensation, thinking that you are not eligible. However, Arkansas can still award you damages even if you are partly to blame.

Under contributory negligence, a cyclist can get compensated provided they are not 50% or more responsible for the crash. So, if your liability is 49% and below, you can get damages, less than by percentage of fault. An analysis of the happenings before the accident is critical in the court’s decision. Your Arkansas injury attorney can ensure it is done the right way.

What Types of Cycling Accident Injuries are Compensated in Little Rock?

Most injured bikers wonder if their injuries are serious enough to warrant compensation. But any injuries that put you at the risk of death or permanent disability are severe enough. Victims of bicycle accidents are candidates for compensation if they suffer the following types of injuries;

  • Genitourinary and pelvic trauma
  • Abdominal organ damage
  • Ruptured spleens
  • Injuries to the lungs and chest
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Injuries to the eyes and face
  • Fractures
  • Dislocations, strains, and sprains
  • Bruises and cuts
  • Road rash
  • Nerve damage
  • Scrapes

You could claim compensation if you got these or any other serious injuries in Little Rock. And if you are not sure about it, an experienced Little Rock bike accident attorney is a phone call away.

What Damages Can I Claim in a Little Rock Cycling Accident?

The damages recovered from one cycling accident claim might not be the same as those recovered in another. Basically, the specific form of compensation is dependent on the nature of your injuries and the circumstances of your accident. But generally, you might get compensated for;

  • Future lost income if you become permanently disabled
  • Wages lost during recovery
  • Costs of repairing or replacing your broken bicycle
  • Pain and suffering
  • Costs of physical therapy
  • Future and past medical expenses

A personal injury attorney in Little Rock can tell you precisely what your case is worth and the kind of damages applicable to it. After that, they could help you build up the case and recover it in full.

How Soon Should I Contact an Attorney After a Cycling Accident?

The uncertain road to recovery and the spiraling medical expenses can overwhelm victims of cycling accidents in Arkansas. Luckily, a seasoned Little Rock cycling accident attorney can handle the complexities involved in filing a personal injury case. They can build your claim in the following ways;

  • Gathering evidence
  • Consulting experts
  • Proving liability
  • Demonstrating the full extent of your injuries
  • Navigate through the tactics used by insurance companies to settle victims for less than is deserved
  • Fight to get you the financial resources for the injuries’ short—term and long-term needs

The ideal time to contact an accident attorney is as soon as the crash happens. But even if you did not do that earlier on, you can still do it now.

Lawyers Winning Compensation for Injury Victims

It is easy to make the wrong moves when you are unsure of what to do after being injured in Little Rock. And remember that one wrong decision is enough to compromise the strength of your case. But these mistakes are rarely made when an experienced lawyer is by your side.

Legal help can distinguish between a winning and a losing compensation case in Arkansas. Notde that the attorney might not ask you to pay any fees upfront, until you win the compensation. Speak to our legal experts at Denton & Zachary, PLLC today to get started with your claim.

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