Bicycles can be a fun and healthy way to get around, but every year too many Americans are harmed in accidents with motor vehicles. Bicyclists are hit by moving cars in West Virginia and when victims suffer losses, they may be caught in hard financial, physical, and emotional situations. They may consider litigation with the support of personal injury attorneys for the recovery of their damages.

Negligence as a cause of bicycle accidents

Negligence is a legal theory at the heart of many personal injury lawsuits. At its core is reasonableness and what happens when individuals do not act reasonably. For example, when a driver fails to act reasonably behind the wheel of their car, they may create a dangerous accident involving a bicyclist. Some negligent driving behaviors that may cause bicycle accidents include:

• Running stop signs and red lights
• Driving while distracted
• Speeding or driving under the speed limit
• Tailgating or aggressive driving
• Failing to use vehicle signals

It is important to note, though, that negligent bicycle riding may also cause or contribute to incidents of collisions between vehicles and bikes.

What to do after a bicycle accident

After an accident, a victim should seek medical help. Doing so not only protects their health and recovery, but also documents their injuries and their medical losses. They may want to document scenes from their accident and identify witnesses who observed their accident happen. They can talk to an attorney about their rights and the timeline for pursuing a lawsuit against the party or parties that caused their harm. Legal actions based on personal injuries can be time-barred if victims wait too long to seek recompense.