Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Providence

Bicycling can be enjoyable as a pleasure hobby or as a form of transportation, yet riders are at high risk of harm if they collide with an automobile. Careless drivers can leave bike riders with devastating injuries that could even be fatal. If you or a loved one has been hurt while riding a bicycle, you need experienced guidance from a bicycle accident lawyer in Providence.

At Gemma Law Firm, our team is committed to serving bicyclists who negligent motorists have injured. We are family-owned and provide you with personalized service throughout your case.

A Providence personal injury lawyer will assess your case and provide the aggressive legal representation you need to secure compensation from the wrongdoers.

Gemma Law Firm Provides the Support You Need After a Bicycle Accident

Gemma Law Firm is a highly regarded law firm helping families and individuals across Rhode Island. Over the last 40 years, our President and Founder, Alfred J. Gemma, has built a team of personal injury lawyers who are dedicated to serving the interests of people who are hurt by others’ negligence. We provide crucial services and ensure you have the strongest case possible in your specific circumstances.

We combine a boutique experience with personalized, down-to-earth service to provide you with compassionate support during this painful time.

Our Providence bicycle accident lawyer has handled thousands of cases and numerous situations, and we are equipped to secure the results you need. You can expect us to maintain high standards throughout your case and ensure your rights are not violated.

We take the time to get to know our clients and build a relationship with them so we can better tailor our services to their needs and build trust. We also leverage the relationships we’ve built across the community to ensure you have the resources you need to resolve your claim and recover the compensation you deserve. Our team is accessible and ready to help you after a bicycle accident. 

Bicycle Riders Often Suffer Catastrophic Injuries in a Crash

Although most bicycle riders enjoy riding on suburban streets and in neighborhoods, many still share highways with motor vehicles. When a crash happens, the bike rider has almost no protection from severe injury or death. 

Bicycle Accident Injuries

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes in its Traffic Safety Facts that 2% of U.S. traffic fatalities involve bicyclists. Common injuries may include:

• Cuts, abrasions, and road rash
• Broken or fractured bones
• Puncture wounds
• Blunt force trauma
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Neck, back, and spinal damage
• Loss of limb or amputation
• Crushing injuries if you are run over by other vehicles

Helmets and safety pads can only provide some protection. Most riders need emergency transport and treatment after a bicycle crash, and their medical expenses can skyrocket quickly.

The extensive recovery time can lead to psychological damage such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and isolation from society. It is important to act quickly to receive the proper treatment and minimize long-term damage from injuries.

Bicycle Accident Injuries Can Result in a Wrongful Death

A bicycle accident can be fatal for a cyclist. They may be killed upon impact or later on due to complications from their injuries. 

Unfortunately, this is not uncommon since bicyclists are exposed to their surroundings and fully absorb the impact during a collision. When this happens, a bicycle accident lawyer in Providence can provide guidance on what families should do after a fatal accident in Rhode Island.

Common Reasons Why Bicycle Accidents Happen 

Bicyclists are at great risk when they share the road with vehicles. Their minimal size reduces their visibility, and drivers may not notice them. This is further exacerbated by drivers who fail to pay attention or use caution.

This often results in accidents that could have been avoided by making simple adjustments. Some common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Distractions
• Speeding
• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Alcohol or drug impairment
• Exhaustion
• Dooring
• Reduced visibility
• Road and weather conditions

These factors can affect the severity of a bicycle accident and the type of injuries a bicyclist may sustain. 

For example, a collision with a distracted driver who is speeding will have a different impact than a bicyclist’s injury in a dooring accident. Both incidents may also result in different injuries. Regardless of the type of injury, though, a personal injury can have lasting effects on life.

Types of Locations Where Bike Accidents are Most Likely to Occur 

Bicycle accidents most commonly occur at intersections when motorists are turning. Drivers may not see cyclists as they approach and prepare to turn, especially when turning right.

Areas of low visibility, such as curves or side streets, can also be a challenge as a driver may not see a cyclist in time to avoid an accident. Parking lots can also present a similar challenge, but have more distractions. 

Additionally, different areas of the city or neighborhoods may present their own sets of risks based on site-specific factors. For example, traffic volume or geographic location may affect which obstacles are present. Bicyclists and drivers alike should consider these particular challenges and use extra caution and remain alert when in these areas.  

Bicyclists in North Providence and East Providence should be aware of areas along their routes that may be riskier and prepare in advance to protect their safety as much as possible. Dangerous intersections, high-traffic areas, blind turns, and more should all be considered when riding bikes through these areas. 

You Have the Right to Take Legal Action After a Bicycle Accident in North Providence or East Providence

A bicycle accident in North Providence or East Providence can turn your life upside down, especially when it is caused by a negligent driver. These accidents can affect the rest of your life physically, financially, and emotionally. While it cannot undo the injuries and suffering you have experienced, you have the right to take legal action and get the justice you deserve.

After an accident, you can file an insurance claim against the driver who injured you so you can recover the cost of your financial losses and hold them accountable.

If this is insufficient to cover the extent of your medical care and other expenses, you can also file a lawsuit directly against the driver responsible to recover additional compensation.

When filing your claim or lawsuit, you will need to present evidence of the accident and what you’ve lost. Police reports, video surveillance, photos of the accident and your injuries, witness and expert statements, and reconstruction simulations can all be used to demonstrate what happened and strengthen your case. 

A Providence Bicycle Accident Lawyer Demonstrates Driver Negligence to Resolve Your Case

A key part of resolving your bicycle accident claim will be to establish the driver’s negligence and liability for your injuries. A lawyer will walk you through how this is accomplished, and by understanding the burden of proof in injury cases, you can know what to expect and what evidence you will need. 

During your case, your lawyer will use the evidence you have collected to show that the other driver should have been alert, cautious, and following the rules of the road. Instead, they engaged in careless actions that led to a collision and caused your injuries. As such, they must compensate you fairly for the losses they caused you 

This process allows you to show the effects the accident had on your life and recover compensation to alleviate the cost of your losses.

A Providence bicycle accident attorney is experienced at handling this process and should be consulted as soon as possible to streamline your case and get you the results you need as swiftly as possible. 

Potential Value of Your Providence Bicycle Accident Claim in East Providence

Each accident case must be assessed on its own unique merits to determine its potential value. While Gemma Law Firm has a stellar record of client case results, a bicycle accident attorney in Providence cannot guarantee a certain dollar amount. However, they will make every effort to include all expenses you have suffered, including ones you may have overlooked. 

Common damages we help clients secure include:

• Medical bills related to the accident
• Surgery, ER, and ICU costs
• Prescription medications
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses
• Repair or replacement costs for your bicycle
• Damage to other personal property
• Travel for medical treatment
• Mobility or medical devices are needed for your recovery

You can claim economic damages, such as those listed above, for compensation, including any loss with a specific price. Most insurance policies will cover these expenses, but if you have substantial non-economic damages, you may need to file a lawsuit. Non-economic damages include your pain and suffering, permanent disability, and emotional anguish.

How to Secure Compensation in a Bike Accident Case in North Providence

Under the Rhode Island Code of Regulations §20-05-3.10, automobile drivers are required to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident) of bodily injury liability coverage. They must also carry at least $25,000 in property liability insurance. Depending on the costs you incur after your accident, this may not be enough to pay for everything.

In those situations, your bicycle accident attorney in Providence may advise you to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver or any other liable parties.

These could include a bike repair shop that performed substandard work, roadwork companies that failed to post signage, or even a homeowner whose overgrown shrubbery blocked your view of an oncoming car. 

Your lawyer will prepare all the necessary documents to move your case to court. They will file your claim within the statute of limitations, which is three years in Rhode Island for personal injury claims. Your legal team will often prepare for the courtroom before insurance negotiations are complete to ensure you do not lose your right to seek financial relief through the justice system. 

How Gemma Law Firm Manages Your Providence Bicycle Accident Claim

Our team will begin investigating every aspect of your claim once we take your case. We look at it from multiple angles to determine what factors were involved, who was at fault, what you suffered, and what evidence we can gather for your case.

We also work diligently to find solutions to fit your unique problems. This process allows us to put our training, knowledge, and skills to work to do the following:

• Review the evidence you bring us, such as photos, witness information, and medical records.
• Return to the accident scene to gather additional evidence.
• Request video footage from traffic, security, or dashboard cameras.
• Request and analyze Providence police accident reports.
• Interview witnesses and others involved in the crash.
• Scour social media platforms for information about your bike accident.
• Collaborate with medical and other experts for their testimony
• Negotiate with insurance providers for a fair settlement.
• Prepare your case for court if a settlement cannot be obtained
• Litigate fiercely to secure compensation for your medical costs and property damage.

Although we work to secure a settlement as quickly as possible, in some instances, your circumstances require us to take the at-fault party to court.

We will seek the maximum compensation available, which may involve multiple liable parties. While you concentrate on getting better, your Providence bicycle accident attorney at Gemma Law Firm will tackle all the paperwork and legal details of your case.  

Speak with an Experienced Providence Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

When automobile drivers are careless and you end up hurt, you have the right to seek justice. Instead of facing these concerns on your own, put your trust in the skills of a qualified lawyer from Gemma Law Firm. 

We are committed to ensuring you have the compensation you need to recover emotionally, physically, and financially. Contact our office to schedule your free initial consultation with a Providence bicycle accident attorney and learn more about your legal options today.