At the Law Offices of William M. Kolb, LLC in Providence, Rhode Island, we know just how devastating a bicycle accident can be. Collisions that might be fender benders for drivers can mean catastrophic injuries or death for cyclists. If another person’s negligence has caused you serious personal injury or resulted in the wrongful death of a loved one, contact us today to discuss the details of your case.
The sooner you get in touch with us, the sooner our bicycle accident attorney can begin to formulate a strategy to recover the maximum compensation you deserve. William Kolb has the experience, the knowledge of the law, and the well-honed litigation skills to fight aggressively on your behalf. He also has an impressive record of successful outcomes.
Why William Kolb Is the Right Choice After a Bicycle Accident
William Kolb is not only a first-rate litigator; he is also an empathetic person who will offer you moral support as well as strong legal representation. He will:
- Communicate directly with opposing attorneys/ insurance adjusters
- Investigate the site of your accident, all surveillance videos, and any forensic evidence
- Check the defendant’s history for previous negligence or misconduct
- Examine police records and medical reports
- Interview witnesses
- Identify all responsible parties
- Subpoena smartphone records if the defendant is accused of texting
- Consult with medical or other experts to gather supportive testimony
Above all, William Kolb is a sharp negotiator and knows his way around a courtroom. He has what it takes to obtain every dollar of compensation you deserve.
Why Bicycle Accidents Have Become More Frequent
Because bicycles are now used for adult transportation and are routinely ridden on city streets as well as country roads, bicycle accidents are much more common than they once were. William Kolb is committed to defending the cyclists’ rights to share the road and be fully compensated when a driver’s negligence or recklessness causes them harm.
Reasons for Bicycle Accidents
Although bicycle accidents can happen anywhere, they have become more common as cyclists have taken to riding on congested city streets. In urban areas, bicycles are surrounded by much larger, heavier vehicles, most of which are in a hurry to reach their destinations.
Also, motorists are increasingly distracted — by text messages, loud music, phone conversations, or eating. Too many are impaired by alcohol or drugs. Because bicycles are so much smaller than other vehicles and travel so much more slowly, motorists may not even be aware of their presence. Almost half of the bicycle accidents that involve collisions with other vehicles occur at intersections where drivers may fail to signal a turn or look in their rearview mirrors.
Bicycle accidents are often caused by drivers who:
- Fail to check their mirrors and blind spots
- Fail to yield to a cyclist
- Encroach on a cyclist by drifting into their lane
- Open a car door in front of a cyclist
- Attempt to pass a cyclist too closely
- Turn directly into a cyclist’s path
It should be noted that many so-called “solitary” accidents, in which the cyclist loses control of the bike and falls or crashes into a tree or dividing rail, are often precipitated by the cyclist’s desperate attempt to avoid a reckless or inattentive driver.
Bicycle Accident Injuries in Rhode Island
Because bicyclists are not protected by the metal cage of a car or airbags, and typically do not wear protective gear (in Rhode Island even helmets are only required for riders 15 years of age or younger), they are likely to suffer severe injuries in a road accident.
These injuries may include:
- Fractures/dislocations
- Lacerations or internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Road burns
- Amputations
Such severe or catastrophic injuries may involve surgeries, long-term recovery, or permanent disability (e.g. paralysis, cognitive impairment, neuromuscular dysfunction). In some cases, bicycle accident injuries may lead to the tragedy of wrongful death. No matter the nature of your case, it is imperative that you have a highly capable bicycle accident attorney at your side.
Damages William Kolb Will Fight to Win
The law entitles you to funds to cover both economic and non-economic (intangible) losses. Economic losses include such things as medical costs, lost income, property damage, long-term care, and/or funeral costs. Non-economic losses include physical pain, mental anguish, permanent disability, and/or loss of emotional support and companionship.
If the harm that came to you was caused by egregious misconduct, such as impaired driving, the court may also be persuaded to award you punitive damages, both to punish the defendant and to act as a deterrent to others.
Comparative Negligence in Rhode Island
The law recognizes that more than one party may be responsible for an accident, a concept known as comparative negligence. Different states handle this matter in different ways. Rhode Island follows the principle of pure comparative negligence.
Comparative negligence means that if the court finds that two or more parties bear liability for an accident, each one is assigned a percentage of fault. If you are deemed 25 percent at fault and awarded $1 million in damages, for example, you will take home $750,000.
“Pure,” in this context means that you can sue for damages even if you bear the larger portion of fault. So, using the same example, if you are found to be 75 percent at fault, you can still collect 25 percent of the compensation awarded — $250,000.
Third-Party Liability in a Bicycle Accident
Some bicycle accidents, rather than being the result of careless driving or bicycling, may instead be caused by improper road construction, poor road maintenance, or an inherent defect in the bicycle or car. In such situations, once we zero in on the responsible party, we will file a lawsuit against the city, state, or county agency responsible for the road or the manufacturer of the defective product.
Contact Our Experienced, Compassionate Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
We know that you have been through tremendous trauma and are no doubt overwhelmed by the legal and logistical matters that now require attention. Once you get in touch with the Law Offices of William M. Kolb, you can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that your bicycle accident claim is in good hands. Contact us now and let us take it from here.