Wytheville Bicycle Accident Attorney & Bike Injury Lawyer

Wytheville Bicycle Accident Attorney & Bike Injury Lawyer

At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we believe that everyone on the road should respect the rights of cyclists.  Unfortunately, bicyclists, like pedestrians, are vulnerable on the road, as approximately 1,000 cyclists die and nearly 467,000 cyclists are injured each year.  If you or a family member were the victim of a bicycle accident caused by someone else, we invite you to call our office to schedule a free consultation.

With over 25 years of experience, firm founding attorney Mark Hurt has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injury victims and families.   In addition to helping those injured get the compensation they deserve; Mark’s objective is to make our communities safer for bike riders.  When you choose our firm, we will leave no stone unturned in pursuing the full and fair compensation to which you are rightfully entitled.

Call Today to Schedule A FREE CONSULTATION!

How Much Does It Cost to Hire An Experienced Wytheville Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

In addition to offering a free, confidential consultation, Virginia bicycle accident attorney Mark Hurt represents injured cyclists on a contingency fee basis.  This means there is no fee for our firm unless compensation is obtained through a settlement or jury award.  Further, all litigation expenses are advanced while a case is ongoing (these costs and expenses are normally repaid from a settlement or award).

What are the Frequent Causes of Bike Accidents?

Some of the most common causes of bike accidents include:

• Distracted driving and driver inattention
• Texting
• Drunk and impaired driving
• Following too closely behind another vehicle
• Speeding
• Weaving through traffic and dangerous lane changes
• Turning without looking for bicyclists or pedestrians
• Running a traffic light or stop sign
• Failing to yield for a cyclist

Regardless of how injuries from bicycling arise, if a cyclist is injured due to the wrongful actions or negligence of another person or entity, the cyclist is entitled to pursue full compensation for all injuries and damages sustained.

What Types of Injuries Can Occur in a Bike Crash?

Even when cyclists wear helmets, they are likely to suffer serious and potentially life-threatening injuries when hit by a vehicle.  In a crash, cyclists sustain injuries twice:

• First, from the impact of a vehicle, and
• Second, from the impact of hitting the road, concrete barrier, grass, gravel, or ground.

A cyclist may also suffer a third injury if they are run over by either the vehicle initially hitting them or by other vehicles.

Unlike motorists who typically are protected by vehicle structure, seatbelts, and airbags, cyclists have virtually no protection from injury, as even helmets only offer minimal protection.  Consequently, injuries in even a low-speed collision with a vehicle can be severe to life-threatening, including:

• Severe road rash
• Contusions, lacerations, and abrasions
• Internal organ damage
• Broken bones and dislocations
• Head and brain injuries
• Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries
• Other soft tissue injuries
• Whiplash
• Death

In many cases, victims may face a lifetime of pain, suffering, and disability.

When bike accidents occur, cyclists and their families will benefit from having an experienced Wytheville bicycle accident attorney on their side who can take the legal burden off their shoulders and seek for them the full compensation to which they are entitled.

Over the past three decades, firm founding attorney and Duke Law School graduate Mark Hurt has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injury victims.  He has successfully tried cases and argued appeals in Virginia and Tennessee state courts, as well as in federal court. Further, Mark has argued cases twice before our nation’s highest court, the United States Supreme Court.  He uses his extensive litigation experience to seek the maximum compensation for injured clients.

Who Can Be Held Liable for A Bicycle Accident in Virginia?

If a cyclist is hit by a vehicle, in addition to the driver there may be others who may be liable, including employers, companies, vehicle part manufacturers, and the government.

For example, if a cyclist is hit by a delivery driver who was on duty at the time of the accident, the driver’s employer will likely be liable for the accident.  If the driver was an employee of the federal government (such as if the driver was a mail carrier), the government may also be liable for injuries and damages.  Local governmental entities may also be liable in some situations involving poor lighting, roadway vegetation that interfered with visibility, and malfunctioning (or non-existent) traffic control signals and signs.

As a bike accident lawyer, Mark Hurt will conduct a careful investigation to determine all people and entities that may be liable so that each of them can be held fully accountable for their role in causing injury to increase the chances of recovering maximum compensation.

Can I Recover Compensation for Bike Accident Injuries in Virginia If I Am Partially Responsible?

Virginia is one of only a handful of states that follow a pure contributory negligence rule.  Under this law, if a plaintiff (a person injured) is even 1% at fault for an accident or crash, that person is prohibited from receiving any compensation.

Defense lawyers are aware of this harsh rule; consequently, they often attempt to argue that victims are partially responsible for an accident or crash.  For example, if a bike does not have a headlight (as required by Virginia statute), an injury victim may be found to be partly liable if a jury finds that the lack of a headlight contributed to a nighttime crash, even if the other person ran a red light or committed another egregious offense.

Even if you believe that there is a chance that you may be partly at fault, this should not stop you from contacting a bike accident lawyer.  A contributory negligence determination (assessing fault for an accident) only will occur if a case actually goes to trial.  Because most injury cases settle before trial, the possibility of contributory negligence is often used as a bargaining chip in settlement negotiations – it does not necessarily preclude the recovery of compensation.

In any event, because of our state’s strict contributory negligence laws, it is imperative for those injured to consult with an attorney before communicating with defendants or insurance companies.

What Damages are Potentially Recoverable in a Bicycle Crash Case?

Bicycle accident victims and their families are entitled to the damages they incurred resulting from their crash.  In general, such damages typically include costs and expenses such as:

• Property damage
• Medical bills
• Prescription drug costs
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering (including pain and suffering likely to incur in the future)
• Lost future earnings
• Other lifestyle losses, such as the inability to engage in activities
• Other damages

Once we understand the damages that you have incurred, we will make a demand for full and fair compensation from all those who we believe are liable.

Schedule A Free Consultation With Wytheville, VA Bike Injury Attorney Mark Hurt.

In Virginia, the statute of limitations (the time period in which a lawsuit may be filed) for injuries for a bicycle accident typically will be two years from the date of the crash (although there are some instances in which the statute of limitations may be longer).  Therefore, it is critical to reach out to The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt as soon as possible so we can begin investigating your crash and seeking compensation for you.

Call today to schedule a free case evaluation with personal injury attorney Mark Hurt.  There is no fee for our services unless you receive compensation.