Fredericton Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Cycling through Fredericton’s scenic routes and city streets is a common part of the daily lives of many people living in New Brunswick. But for cyclists, a routine ride can quickly become dangerous. Whether due to a collision with a motor vehicle, or poor road conditions, bicycle accidents can lead to severe, potentially life-altering, injuries.

When a devastating crash occurs, injured cyclists often face a long and difficult recovery process, leaving riders with high medical costs and emotional trauma on top of their physical pain. Because cyclists have far less protection than motorists, common bike injuries include concussions, fractures, road rash, and spinal trauma.

Whether you’ve been injured by a motorist while biking downtown or involved in a hit-and-run while cycling on a rural road, it is important to know your legal rights. At NOVA Injury Law, help is available to guide you through your bicycle accident claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Legal Representation for Injured Cyclists

Hiring a personal injury lawyer with experience handling bike crash cases ensures your claim is properly managed. These cases can involve complex liability issues and require a focused legal approach different from typical motor vehicle cases. It is highly recommended that you contact a personal injury lawyer regarding your bicycle accident as soon as you are able.

Choosing the Right Lawyer for Your Bicycle Accident

An experienced law firm brings together a legal team equipped to:

Investigate the cause of the crash;
Preserve evidence before it disappears;
Deal with insurers and legal deadlines; and
Maximize your compensation under New Brunswick law.

When to Contact a Lawyer After a Crash

Delaying seeking legal advice could weaken your claim. The earlier that you get help, the stronger your case can be. Time is critical to:

Collect evidence such as photos, dash cam footage, and witness statements;
Meet filing deadlines under New Brunswick’s Limitation of Actions Act;
Avoid missteps in early conversations with insurance companies;

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Most serious bike accidents in Fredericton involve motor vehicles. Negligent drivers may fail to notice cyclists or disregard their right-of-way. In some cases, no car is involved and the cycling accident instead stems from unsafe infrastructure.

Vehicle Collisions and Driver Negligence

These accidents often occur due to:

Distracted or inattentive driving;
Drunk or impaired driving;
Speeding or aggressive driving;
Drivers opening a car door into a passing cyclists path; or
Failure to yield at intersections or during turns.

These incidents usually involve a negligent driver, allowing for the possibility of the cyclist being eligible to claim compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance.

Hazardous Conditions and Road Design

Contributing factors may include:

Lack of protected bike lanes;
Damaged road surfaces or potholes;
Confusing signage or lane markings;
Dangerous interactions with pedestrians; or
Small conveyances making improper use of bicycle-only lanes.

If poor road design or maintenance played a role, liability may rest with the municipality or province. These claims are complex and have even shorter deadlines under New Brunswick law.

Types of Injuries and Medical Recovery

A serious bicycle crash can result in a range of injuries, often requiring extensive medical care that results in costly treatment expenses.

Common Bicycle Injuries and Treatment

Typical injuries from bike accidents include:

Concussions and head trauma;
Broken or fractured bones;
Spinal injuries; and
Deep lacerations and other soft-tissue injuries.

Depending on the crash severity, treatment may be long and can include:

Emergency room care;
Surgery or orthopedic intervention;
Ongoing physiotherapy; and
Neurological assessments for concussions or head trauma.

Navigating Medical Expenses After an Accident

With extensive treatment comes the burden of medical bills, costs, and ongoing treatment expenses. Though this often covers up to $50,000 in medical and rehabilitation expenses over four years, many injured cyclists face delayed insurance payouts or denied coverage.

Legal guidance is key to accessing the full scope of compensation to help fund your recovery and ensure you can seek any rehabilitation you may need. A personal injury lawyer will build your overall compensation claim to reflect all medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, and out-of-pocket expenses.

Filing a Bicycle Accident Claim

The Claims Process Explained

Filing a bicycle accident claim typically begins with notifying the at-fault driver’s insurer. From there, the process may involve:

Investigation and evidence gathering;
Medical record collection and expert assessments;
Negotiation with insurance for settlement; and
If necessary, filing a lawsuit to pursue financial recovery.

Claims such as those involving an unidentified or uninsured driver, or government agencies, may involve more complex processes. This is especially true if the insurance company disputes liability or tries to minimize payout during negotiations.

When a designated legal team is advocating for your rights, they will handle communications with insurers and other parties so that you can focus on healing.

Building a Strong Case

Strong evidence is the foundation of any successful bicycle accident claim. Insurance companies and the court system relies on documented facts when deciding who was at-fault and how much compensation is owed.

Well-preserved evidence can help prove liability, document your injuries, support your losses, and protect against blame. Examples include:

Police reports;
Medical documentation and receipts;
Witness accounts;
Scene photos or surveillance footage;
Expert opinions (e.g., accident reconstructionists);

Your lawyer uses this information to build a compelling case and push for a fair outcome, whether through negotiation or trial.

Damages and Compensation

If you’ve been injured, it is important to seek compensation that reflects the full scope of your losses, even for seemingly small injuries. What feels like a minor crash today can turn into a major burden tomorrow.

Some injuries such as concussions or soft tissue damage, may not show the full extent of symptoms right away. These types of Injuries can lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, or extended periods of time off work.

Filing a claim ensures that you aren’t left paying out-of-pocket for someone else’s negligence. You only have one chance to settle your claim, so you always need to consider both what is fair compensation now, and how you can be protected in the future.

What Compensation Can Victims Recover?

New Brunswick law allows accident victims to claim for a range of economic and non-economic damages, including:

Medical expenses not covered by Section B or private health insurance;
Lost wages and future earning potential;
Property damage to your bike and gear;
Pain and suffering; and
Loss of enjoyment of life or reduced mobility;

If you were partially at fault, New Brunswick’s contributory negligence rules may reduce your compensation, but it doesn’t eliminate your right to recover. An experienced lawyer can help minimize that impact.

Bicycle Accident Scenarios and Liability

Liability refers to who is legally responsible for the bicycle accident and its resulting injuries. In New Brunswick, the at-fault party is typically required to compensate the injured person for their losses. Establishing liability is key to recovering compensation, but it can require careful investigation of the facts and legal duties owed by each party.

In many bicycle accidents, liability is clear-cut and involves an obviously negligent driver. However, there are scenarios where liability may not be as straightforward.

Liability in Defective Bike and Equipment Cases

Some bike crashes are caused not by a driver or road condition, but by a defective bicycle or bike component (e.g., brakes, tires, steering mechanisms). In those cases, liability may fall on:

The manufacturer;
The distributor or retailer; or
The maintenance provider (e.g., a bike shop).

Product liability claims require expert evaluation of the equipment and often involve different legal procedures than motor vehicle claims.

Shared Fault and Complex Cases

In some crashes, liability is unclear or shared. Examples include:

Cyclists riding on sidewalks against traffic;
Poor visibility or weather conditions; or
Crashes involving impaired cyclists or drunk drivers where both parties may be blamed.

Under New Brunswick law, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Even if you’re found 25% at fault, you can still recover 75% of your damages. Legal support is crucial to ensuring fairness in these complex evaluations

Book Your Free Consultation With Our Fredericton Bicycle Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Fredericton or surrounding areas, don’t navigate the legal process alone. At NOVA Injury Law, our personal injury lawyers are here to support you through every step of your recovery and legal claim.

We offer a free case consultation to help you understand your rights, obligations, legal options, and the strength of your claim at absolutely no cost. Contact us today by phone at (506) 436-5404, or by email at info@novainjurylaw.com. Don’t wait, let our experienced legal team help you seek justice and secure the compensation you deserve.