In Ohio, cyclists have the same rights on the roadways as motorists do. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents (including e-bikes) are all too common across Ohio. While wearing a helmet provides for some protection, sometimes a helmet is not enough to prevent serious and/or catastrophic injuries. These types of injuries can drastically impact how you go about doing day-to-day activities like cooking, working, commuting, and more. This is why we recommend consulting with a bicycle accident attorney sooner than later if you have been injured in a bicycle accident.
Our bicycle accident attorneys have been representing clients across Ohio for over 100 years. Our legal team is experienced in fighting insurance companies to ensure our clients get the compensation they deserve. Located in Zanesville and Cambridge, Ohio – our law firm can assist individuals throughout Ohio with their bicycle accident claims thanks to virtual technology. Contact us today to speak with one of our Ohio bicycle accident attorneys.
An Overview of Determining Fault in Bicycle Accidents in Ohio
Determining fault in bicycle accidents is an important aspect of securing the compensation you may be eligible for. Ohio follows a fault-based system when it comes to bicycle accidents which means the party whose negligence caused the accident is financially responsible for damages resulting from the incident. Furthermore, Ohio utilizes a comparative negligence system where a percentage of fault can be assigned to each party involved in the accident and the injured victim’s damage award can be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Courts in Ohio consider various factors when determining fault in bicycle accidents. For example, they may look at if any traffic violations played a part in the accident (i.e. failing to yield, running a redlight, etc). They will look at additional things like who had the right of way at the time of accident, if there were any visibility issues that might have contributed to the accident such as poor lighting or blind spots and also look at both cyclist and motorist behavior.
Both motorists and cyclists have a responsibility to share the road safely and for this reason, cyclists are generally treated as vehicles in these types of claims. The specific details of your accident will impact how fault is determined. If you hire us to handle your bicycle accident claim, our legal team will work with experts like engineers, accident reconstruction specialists, medical and vocational experts to help quantify these amounts. We recommend you consult with a bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible if you have sustained injuries in a cycling accident in Ohio.
Compensatory Damages Available for Bicycle Accident Victims in Ohio
If you sustained injuries in a bicycle accident and were not at fault, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. Exceptions to these damages may apply based on the uniqueness of your situation, so we recommend you consult with an attorney to get an accurate understanding of what types of damages you may be eligible for:
Economic damages: Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses that you incur due to the accident. Economic damages include things like medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, bicycle repairs or replacement and other out of pocket expenses.
Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages include compensation for things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium and/or loss of enjoyment of life. Given the complex nature of these types of claims, we always recommend you consult with a bicycle accident attorney for legal assistance.
Contact Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one have sustained serious injuries in a bicycle accident, contact our bicycle accident attorneys today for a free consultation. Having an attorney on your side ensures that you won’t make any costly mistakes with your claim or miss any deadlines. Our attorneys work with accident reconstruction specialists as well as medical and vocational experts to build your case for your claim, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Let us focus on the heavy lifting so you can focus on your recovery.
