Sydney Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Cycling is popular in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and it’s easy to see why. Surrounded by scenic ocean views, mountains, and forests, Sydney is an amazing environment to explore on two wheels. In fact, many of our own lawyers ride to work in our warmer months.

However, cycling is not without risk, and accidents do occur.

Jeff Mitchell, our Principal Lawyer is also our bicycle accident injury law expert. Through the many cases he has won for cyclists across Nova Scotia, he knows the ins and outs of getting fair and just compensation for cyclists who have been wronged on our roads.

Most times, the cyclist is not at fault.

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

The injury lawyers at NOVA Injury Law also provide the following litigation services in Sydney, NS:

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 behaviour. 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. Cyclists need to ride at least 1 metre away from parked cars to avoid being hit by a car door that suddenly opens. Cyclists also need to avoid potholes and debris and pass double-parked cars. Cyclists may occupy as much of the lane as their safety requires.

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:

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

What happens if I am injured in a cycling accident and want to seek compensation?

Call NOVA Injury Law immediately. Jeff and his experienced team of lawyers will work closely with medical experts to exceed your expectations, and build you an air-tight case from day 1.

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.

At the same time, we 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.

How does NOVA Injury Law maximize your compensation claim?

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.
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 as a cyclist?

This scenario is one that many people worry about and is an example of an accident where people may not know what sort of compensation they would be able to access. In the event of a collision with an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run, a 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 (were it accessible).

If you have been injured by an uninsured or absent driver and are unsure of how to go about securing benefits from your insurance company, we can help.

Even without any insurance, a cyclist can make a claim to Nova Scotia’s Facility Association. It exists to make sure nobody is left without compensation. While the Facility Association is a valuable safety net, there are some specific factors to consider when making a claim to this particular insurance provider – and we can help you here too.

What sets NOVA Injury Law above the rest, and why is it right for me?

We are true specialists in bicycle injury compensation claims.

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. Having an expert physician on hand means that our team of brain injury lawyers can quickly and efficiently support bicycle injury claims with accurate and compelling medical evidence, gathered from a reputable consulting expert.

In addition to that, we are part of the community in Sydney, Nova Scotia – 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 of experts will make sure you receive the much needed treatment 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 about a bicycle accident, 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 and your loved ones via email, text, Facebook messenger, and more.