St. John’s Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Cycling in St. John’s, Newfoundland is an exhilarating and breathtaking experience like no other. With its rugged coastline, scenic trails, and picturesque landscapes, it’s no wonder that cyclists from around the world come to explore ‘Canada’s Happy Province’. There are so many beautiful bike trails, like the Waterford River Walk, Neil’s Pond Trail, and the Virginia River Trail, to name a few. However, it’s important to note that cycling in St. John’s, Newfoundland can also be dangerous. The province’s winding roads, steep hills, and unpredictable weather conditions can present significant hazards to cyclists. It’s essential to take necessary precautions and stay alert while cycling in St. John’s, Newfoundland to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Oftentimes, cycling accidents are caused by external factors

At NOVA Injury Law, we find there are three risk areas common to most of our bicycle accident cases:

Reckless road use by motorists and pedestrians (usually anger based).
General lack of care and attention by fellow road users (unintentional, but still negligent).
Poor condition of paths, trails, and bike lanes.

Jeff Mitchell, our Principal Lawyer is a keen bicyclist and bicycle accident injury lawyer. Together with his team of bicycle accident lawyers, he has won many cases for cyclists in St. John’s and across Newfoundland. He knows the ins and outs of getting fair and just compensation for cyclists who have been wronged on our roads.

The injury lawyers at NOVA Injury Law provide the following legal services in St. John’s:

The road rules that apply to cyclists in Newfoundland

The Highway Traffic Act states that cyclists are considered vehicles, and this means that they have the same rights as other road users when cycling on the road. It also means that cyclists are required to follow the same traffic rules as motor vehicle drivers which includes riding on the right-hand side of the road, obeying traffic signals and signs, and using hand signals when turning or changing lanes.

Cyclists must have a working bell or horn on their bicycle and use it to warn pedestrians or other riders of their approach. It;s also compulsory for all cyclists to wear a helmet when riding on public roads. Likewise, it is mandatory that cyclists dismount when crossing a crosswalk.

Cyclists must also ride at least 1 meter away from parked cars to avoid being hit by a car door that suddenly opens. Cyclists may also occupy as much as the road lane as they require to ensure their safety.

In Newfoundland, it is illegal to ride a bicycle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and bicycles must be equipped with front and rear lights when riding at night.

While it’s impossible to eliminate all risks associated with cycling, there are several measures cyclists can take to reduce the chances of an accident. Some safety tips we recommend include:

Be aware of your surroundings and stay focused on the road.
Follow all traffic laws and signals.
Wear bright or reflective clothing to increase visibility.
Always wear a helmet.
Use hand signals when turning.
Use lights on your bike if riding at night or in low light conditions.
Be cautious around parked cars and car doors.
Look out for potholes and debris and avoid double-parked cars.

How do I seek compensation after a cycling accident?

Call NOVA Injury Law immediately. Jeff and his experienced team of lawyers will work closely with medical experts to build you an air-tight case right away.

Our dedicated team will take the time to gather, interpret, and present all medical evidence relevant to your case. We use the facts surrounding the accident, eyewitness accounts, photographs, medical assessments and reports and interviews – as well as years of experience – to craft a strategy unique to your case.

While this is going on, we will go the extra step by organizing medical and rehabilitative care to aid in your recovery.

After our initial work is complete, we start negotiating with the insurance company to obtain a fair settlement that covers your expenses and losses resulting from the accident. Sometimes, if we can’t reach a settlement we may need to take your claim to court and fight for your rights to obtain fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Rest assured though, we do absolutely everything for you. From making the hard phone calls to filling out the paperwork, we take the burden off your shoulders as we work to get you the rightful amount of compensation for your injuries.

NOVA Injury Law will build your compensation claim following your accident in St. John’s

We look into the effect your injury has on you and those around you. Some of the factors we consider include:

The nature and severity of your injury.
Who was at fault in the bicycle accident.
What treatment have you received and will need in the future.
The impact that injury has on your ability to work.
The impact the injury has on your daily activities such as housework or hobbies.
The mental and emotional impact of your injury.
The ways friends and family support you recovery from your injury.

After considering these factors, we begin to calculate damages. This is simply the amount required to put you back in the position you would have been, had the injury not occurred.

An injury of any kind can affect your life in all sorts of ways, beyond just the pain and discomfort from the injury itself.

Physical symptoms associated with bicycle accident injuries can range in severity and impact from something as small as a cut or scrape to broken bones to a serious traumatic brain injury (TBI) or even death. Even if a cyclist has worn a helmet, they can still sustain a serious brain injury if they strike their head against the ground or a stationary object. Psychological and emotional injuries could include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a change in overall personality, or increased fear of cycling around other vehicles.

If the victim has suffered a serious injury, the effects of this may also be felt by their families or caregivers. People with severe bodily injuries or brain injuries may need additional assistance planning their day or completing day-to-day tasks, and this may affect their ability to continue working, placing potential financial strain on the family. It is recommended that you do not accept a settlement without consulting NOVA Injury Law first.

What if I’ve Been Hit by an Uninsured Driver in St. John’s, Newfoundland?

The thought of being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or being the victim of a hit-and-run accident is a terrifying and all too real possibility. In these cases, you may not know what kind of compensation you’re entitled to. In these situations, the cyclist’s own car insurance provider is required to step in with the benefits that the rider would have been able to receive from the negligent driver’s insurance, had it been accessible.

If you find yourself in this kind of predicament and have been injured by an uninsured or absent driver, it’s understandable to be unsure of how to go about securing benefits from your insurance company. Fortunately, we can help. Our team of experienced lawyers can guide you through the process of making a claim to make sure that you receive the compensation you are due.

What happens if I’m not insured at the time of a bike accident?

You can claim benefits from the at-fault driver. Even if no one has insurance, there’s still hope for compensation. You can make a claim to the Newfoundland Facility Association, which exists to ensure that nobody is left without compensation. However, there are specific factors to consider when making a claim to this particular insurance provider, and it’s best to speak with one of our bicycle accident lawyers to find out more.

At NOVA Injury Law, we understand how overwhelming and confusing the process of making a claim can be, particularly when it comes to dealing with insurance companies. That’s why we work tirelessly to ensure that our clients receive fair compensation. With our team of experienced lawyers and medical professionals, we will help you navigate the complexities of the legal system and get the compensation you deserve. So, if you’ve been injured in a cycling accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for support.

Why is NOVA Injury Law the right law firm for my St. John’s bicycle accident claim?

We actually know how to build solid bicycle injury compensation claims from the ground up.

Aside from our genuine enthusiasm for cycling and our deep knowledge and experience in bicycle injury compensation claims, we are the ONLY bicycle injury lawyers in Atlantic Canada with a doctor on our team.

Dr. Laura Mitchell is a practicing emergency room physician with special training in occupational medicine. This means two things:

We have ready-made access to a doctor to provide advice on your injuries from the moment your Free Case Review starts.
Depending on your injuries, Dr Mitchell can organize fast advice from a specialist. So if you have a fracture or a torn muscle or ligament, we would consult with an orthopedic surgeon or if you believe your eye-sight has been affected following a bad fall, we would seek priority advice from an ophthalmologist. Likewise, we can organize prioritized access to other occupational therapists who not only help our client’s recover from injury, but help us develop accurate forecasts of future recovery and rehabilitation needs.

We can confidently say this is why we are considered one of the premier law firms in Atlantic Canada. From the moment you talk with us about your needs, you have immediate access to medical support and advice. It also gives our lawyers the greenlight to build medically-backed watertight compensation claims in a way no other personal injury law firm can. Better yet, we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. That means you get all of this for free, until we win your case and you receive a maximized compensation payout.

In addition to that, we know the community in Newfoundland – so we can work with professionals, community groups and volunteers all over the city to get you the support you need.

We understand the devastating impact of serious injury to those affected and their loved ones, and the flow on effect this can have to all aspects of one’s life. Know that you are not alone and our team is dedicated to making sure you receive the treatment you need and compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been the victim of a Bicycle Accident, Motorcycle Accident or Car Accident, contact NOVA Injury Law, so we can help you to recover today, and get your life back on track tomorrow.

Reach out to us for a free case review, no-obligation consultation, and contingency fee agreement available for many types of claims.

For more information or to set up an initial consultation for a bicycle accident claim in St. John’s or elsewhere in Newfoundland, you can reach us by calling 1-800-262-8104. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to support you through the aftermath of an accident. Ready to get started now? Contact Jeff Mitchell at jeff@novainjurylaw.com to get answers today.