Accidents involving bicyclists are common. The biggest challenge in handling bicycle accident cases is to dispel the public’s perception that bicyclists are somehow responsible for most accidents. Attorney representation is extremely important for anyone involved in a bicycle accident.
The first thing to pay attention to is the medical condition of the injured bicyclist. The injured person must receive medical treatment and have the ability to pay for it. In the Seattle area, payment for medical expenses is often the responsibility of the other person’s PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance. If there is no PIP insurance, you have to look at your own policy for this coverage. If this is non-existent, you will need to rely on your health insurance.
John Rothschild is an attorney specializing in bicycle accident cases in the Seattle area. He knows how to obtain maximum compensation for his clients’ injuries.
As a cyclist himself, Mr. Rothschild is very sensitive to the claims of the injured bicyclist. He recognizes his clients do not have the benefit of being surrounded by the steel structure of an automobile and are vulnerable and virtually unprotected while on their bicycles.
Mr. Rothschild understands that often a cyclist is like an invisible person on the street. Motorists do not give them respect or room to maneuver. As a recreation cyclist in the Seattle area, he understands the predicament of other cyclists. Mr. Rothschild knows how to present a successful case for the bicycle victim who has been hit by a car or truck.
In many cases, a bicycle accident is the direct result of an automobile driver’s inattentiveness. The following are some common types of collisions in the Seattle area:
- A car turns directly in front of a bicyclist
- An automobile enters the street from a driveway or parking spot and pulls out into traffic ahead of a bicyclist
- A motorist fails to yield at an intersection or runs a stop sign or red light
- A motorist fails to look both ways when resuming travel after stopping at a stop sign
- A driver under the influence of alcohol causes an accident
Motor vehicle drivers must be attentive to all bicycle riders. They must equate a bicycle with a motor vehicle and observe the same laws. Under Washington state law, bicycle riders are also subject to the same traffic laws as motorists. If you are riding a bicycle, you are also required to obey the traffic laws and you deserve the same protection by those laws as automobile drivers.
The personal injury law office of John Rothschild has a great deal of experience and success in obtaining compensation for bicycle accident victims. For a free consultation, please call or email John Rothschild.