Salt Lake City Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you ride your bike and are involved in an accident caused by a negligent motorist, get legal help. Partner with a Salt Lake City bicycle accident lawyer. From here, your attorney can explain your legal options in depth.
Siegfried & Jensen is a Utah personal injury law firm that has secured over $1.2 billion in damages for our clients. Let a Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer from our team assist you with your lawsuit. Contact us today to get started.
Bike Laws in Utah
The Utah Department of Public Safety prioritizes bicycle safety and laws. As a cyclist, it is your responsibility to learn how to ride safely and comply with local rules and regulations. Otherwise, if you choose not to do so, you could cause an accident that leaves you or others with injuries.
Drivers must comply with road rules. Among these rules, motorists must share the road with bicyclists. If a driver is negligent, they may not see a cyclist or ignore them altogether, leading to an accident.
Ultimately, review bicycle safety tips carefully before you ride a bike. If you get into an accident, ask a Salt Lake City bicycle accident attorney for assistance. They can determine who is liable for your accident.
Liability for a Bike Accident
Typically, a motorist is at fault for a bike accident. For instance, a driver travels through a red light and does not see a bicyclist crossing the street. The motorist crashes their car into the cyclist and can be held responsible for the accident.
There are times when cyclists are liable for vehicle accidents. In some instances, a bike parts manufacturer, government entity, or another third party can be at fault for a cycling crash. To figure out who is at fault for your bike collision, have a bicycle accident lawyer in Salt Lake City evaluate the incident.
Once your lawyer finds out who is at fault for your accident, they can determine if you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The time frame for submitting a lawsuit is limited. Your attorney can help you request damages before the time in which you are allowed to do so elapses.
How Much Time You Have to File a Bike Accident Lawsuit
In terms of personal injury lawsuits and time limits, you typically have up to four years from the date of a cycling accident to sue for damages. The window for submitting your lawsuit may not be extended. After four years, you may be solely responsible for your accident-related losses.
It may be in your best interests to discuss your case with a bicycle accident attorney in Salt Lake City as soon as you can. Your lawyer can determine if your case is valid. If so, they can file your lawsuit promptly.
Submitting a lawsuit offers no guarantees. The legal system can be unpredictable, and, unfortunately, it can take time to get damages. Throughout your legal proceedings, your lawyer advocates for you and puts you in a position to collect 100% of the damages you request.
Filing a Bicycle Accident Wrongful Death Lawsuit
A family member dies in a cycling accident, and you and your loved ones have no idea how to respond. Your entire family is devastated by the loss of your loved one. In the aftermath of the accident, you and your surviving family members are emotionally devastated.
It is tough to consider the financial ramifications that follow a family member’s death. If your loved one’s death is the result of an act of negligence, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Meet with Utah wrongful death lawyers, and they can help you determine what to do next.
Recently, the team at Siegfried & Jensen helped a client secure $2.4 million in damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. We are compassionate and empathetic and handle your legal matters while you and your loved ones cope with the loss of your family member. Request a free case consultation to learn more about how we can help you during this difficult time in your life.
Damages You Can Request in a Cycling Accident Lawsuit
A judge or jury can award economic damages for quantifiable losses and non-economic compensation for subjective harm. What you receive in damages depends on the losses you incur. Reasons why a judge or jury may provide you with damages include:
- Bike repairs or replacement
- Medical fees
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
To maximize your damages, it helps to have a body of proof. Your lawyer may use photos and videos from the scene of your accident, witness statements, and other evidence to support your argument. If you have compelling proof, it may be clear to a judge or jury that you are not liable for your accident.
What to Do if the Defendant in Your Case Claims You Are at Fault
Work with a lawyer who understands comparative negligence and how it relates to your case. Per Utah Code §78B-5-818, a judge or jury may find you are partially or primarily responsible for your bicycle accident. In this situation, you may recover only a fraction of the damages you request or become ineligible to get compensation from any liable parties.
For example, a judge or jury says you are 10% responsible for your cycling accident. The defendant in your case is 90% to blame. Therefore, the defendant is ordered to pay 90% of your damages, and you have to cover some of your losses on your own.
Now, consider what can occur if a judge or jury finds you to be 51% at fault for your bike accident. The defendant is less responsible for your accident than you. Thus, they may not be required to pay damages.
Hire a Lawyer Who Has Been Helping Bike Accident Victims Since 1990
Siegfried & Jensen has a proven reputation in personal injury lawsuits. With our team at your side, you can seek justice and damages from anyone responsible for your bike accident. Schedule a free case consultation with us.