Bridgewater Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Cycling in Bridgewater is an exciting experience. When biking along Crescent Beach, and the Centennial Trail, there are numerous opportunities for exploration and adventure on both paved and unpaved roads. There are many popular routes for people to enjoy. However, cycling is not without risks, and should someone experience a cycling accident, the damage can be severe.
Bicycle Accidents are Often Caused by External Factors
External factors that cause bicycle accidents include:
- Reckless road use by motorists and pedestrians, such as excessive speeding and failing to obey traffic signs/signals (usually anger based);
- General lack of care and attention by fellow road users (unintentional, but still negligent); and
- Failure to upkeep the pathways and roads such as uncleared ice and snow, uneven surfaces and potholes.
What Road Rules Apply to Me While Cycling
According to the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists when riding on the road. When everyone fully follows the same set of rules and pays attention to their surroundings, the chance of a collision is greatly reduced.
Cyclists should always be clearly visible and predictable in their behavior. Ride on the right side of the road with the flow of traffic. Use as much of the lane as you need to be safe from roadside hazards. And remember, cyclists should always use hand signals to indicate a turn or a stop.
Drivers must watch for cyclists and adequately make room for them. Bicyclists need to ride at least one meter away from parked cars to avoid being hit if a door suddenly opens. Bridgewater maintains “Share the Road” signs throughout the town to support the fact that cyclists have an equal right to use the roads as do pedestrians and drivers.
In Bridgewater:
- Cyclists must wear a helmet;
- Only children can cycle on sidewalks; and
- Cyclists must use correct hand signals and follow the rules of the road.
How Do I Seek Compensation if I am Injured in a Cycling Accident in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia?
Your primary concern should be your health and safety, it is important that you receive medical attention. Once you are out of harm’s way, call NOVA Injury Law immediately. Principal Lawyer and Owner Jeff Mitchell and his experienced team of lawyers will work closely with medical experts to build you an air-tight case right away.
Our experienced 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. Rarely, if we can’t reach a settlement outside of court, 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, we do absolutely everything for you with regards to your legal claim. 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.
How does NOVA Injury Law Strengthen your Compensation Claim after a Bicycle Accident in Bridgewater?
We consider all the ways your injury has affected you and those around you. 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; and
- The ways friends and family support you recovery from your injury.
After considering these factors, we begin to calculate damages. This is the amount required to put you back in the position you would have been, had the bicycle accident and subsequent injuries 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 or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the worst cases, a bicycle accident may even be fatal. 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 a lawyer at NOVA Injury Law first.
What if I’ve Been Hit by an Uninsured Driver as a Cyclist in Bridgewater?
Imagine being injured in a collision with an uninsured driver, or a hit-and-run. Scary, right? Many policies offer protection in these situations. Essentially, your insurer steps in and provides the benefits you would have normally received from the at-fault driver’s insurance (if they had any).
Feeling lost after an accident? It’s normal to be confused about securing your benefits and dealing with insurance companies. That’s where we come in. Our legal team can help you navigate the claim process and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
What Happens if No One is Insured?
If both you and the other driver don’t have insurance, don’t worry. Canada’s Facility Association helps people get compensation even when the at-fault driver lacks insurance. However, there are specific requirements for these claims. Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers can guide you through the process and see if you qualify.
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.
What Sets NOVA Injury Law Above the Rest, and Why is it Right for Me?
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.
Our resident medical expert, 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. For example, if you have a fracture or a torn muscle or ligament, we would consult with an orthopedic surgeon. If you believe your eye-sight has been affected following an accident, 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.
This is why we are considered to be 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. 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 are part of the community in Bridgewater 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.
Call Our Bridgewater Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today!
If you’ve been the victim of a bicycle accident, motorcycle accident or car accident in Bridgewater, 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 Moncton, 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.