Danville Attorneys Advocating For Your Rights After A Bicycle Or Pedestrian Accident

From painful injuries to mounting medical bills, the aftermath of a sudden accident while walking or biking can be overwhelming. At Williams & Light, our attorneys understand what you’re going through. With over 100 years of combined experience, we have the knowledge and experience necessary to guide you through Virginia’s complex personal injury laws. This includes strict contributory negligence rules that can affect your claim. Our trial readiness and client-centered approach ensure that you receive dedicated attention throughout your case. 

Understanding Virginia’s Bicycle And Pedestrian Laws

Virginia has specific traffic laws that aim to protect bicyclists and pedestrians. However, in an accident, these regulations are often crucial in determining fault and compensation:

• Right-of-way on sidewalks: Bicyclists must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and shared-use paths, using an audible signal when overtaking
• Right-of-way at crosswalks: Pedestrians have priority at crosswalks, and cyclists must stop at stop signs before entering crosswalks
• Cyclist and pedestrian rights: Cyclists can use sidewalks unless restricted by local ordinances and share the same rights and duties as pedestrians
• Traffic regulations compliance: Bicyclists must adhere to traffic control devices like signals and signs, similar to motor vehicles
• Helmet requirements: Helmets are mandatory for riders under 14 in certain jurisdictions, while Class 3 electric power-assisted bicycle riders must wear helmets
• “Dooring” laws: Drivers must check for safety before opening doors into moving traffic, in order to prevent cyclist accidents

It’s important to note that Virginia follows a contributory negligence rule. This means that the injured party may not receive compensation if the court finds that they are partially at fault for the accident that led to their injuries.

Common Injury Patterns In Bicycle And Pedestrian Accidents

When cyclists or pedestrians get into accidents, they often end up with more serious injuries than those in cars. This is because they don’t have the protective barriers that cars provide. Thus, they are more likely to be directly impacted, leading to severe injuries such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Without helmets, cyclists and pedestrians are highly susceptible to TBIs, which can cause significant brain damage, leading to long-term cognitive and physical impairments
• Spinal cord injuries: The force from an accident can damage the spinal cord, potentially resulting in paralysis or permanent disabilities and requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Complex fractures: The absence of protection often leads to severe bone fractures, which often require surgery and extended recovery periods
• Road rash and degloving injuries: Skin abrasions and degloving injuries occur when the rough surface of the road scrapes off the skin, requiring painful treatments and posing a risk of infection
• Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma can damage internal organs, leading to life-threatening conditions that need immediate and extensive medical attention

These injury patterns show that taking legal action may be necessary to cover medical bills, lost income and other expenses. If you or your loved was suffered any of these injuries in a bicycle or pedestrian accident, our pedestrian and bicycle accident attorneys can help you receive the support and compensation necessary for your healing process.

Helping You Challenge Comparative Fault Claims

Insurance companies often try to shift blame to bicyclists and pedestrians to reduce their liability. They might claim that the injured person wasn’t visible, broke traffic laws or acted unpredictably. These claims can be particularly difficult to face in Virginia because of its contributory negligence system.

At Williams & Light, we use various strategies and approaches to counter these claims. We typically:

• Carry out detailed accident reconstructions to uncover the true sequence of events 
• Gather witness testimonies that support our clients’ stories
• Challenge claims of contributory negligence that aren’t backed by evidence

We are dedicated to helping our clients secure fair compensation. Our bicycle and pedestrian accident attorneys work tirelessly to build strong, evidence-based cases, ensuring insurance companies do not unfairly deny compensation. 

Answering Your Questions About Bicycle Or Pedestrian Accident Claims

After experiencing a bicycle or pedestrian accident, it’s important to understand your rights if you’re considering a personal injury claim in Virginia. Below, we address some common questions we often receive from clients:

If I was hit by a car outside a crosswalk, do I still have a case? 

Being outside a crosswalk doesn’t automatically mean you don’t have a case. Yes, contributory negligence can affect your ability to recover damages. However, we also look at the driver’s behavior, road conditions and witness statements to understand who is responsible and explore your legal options.

How does not wearing a helmet affect my case? 

Virginia law requires helmets for riders under 14 in certain jurisdictions and for Class 3 electric bicycle riders. If you’re not legally required to wear a helmet and you weren’t wearing one, it does not automatically bar your claim. However, the defense may argue that not wearing a helmet worsened your injuries. Still, the focus remains on the driver’s negligence and whether that was the primary cause of the accident.

What kind of compensation can I expect if I can’t ride or walk comfortably anymore?

If your claim is successful, you might receive compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Lost wages and future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

We aim to secure a settlement that fully reflects how the accident has affected your life and your ability to earn in the future.

Let Us Handle Your Claim So You Can Focus On Your Recovery

At Williams & Light, your well-being is our priority. If you or a loved one suffered from severe injury due to a bicycle or pedestrian accident, schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today. Call us at 434-483-5195 or fill out our online form.