Jackson, TN Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Bicycles have become more popular on Jackson roads in recent years. They are more environmentally-friendly than cars and allow riders to get exercise. An increase in bicyclists has led to an increase in accidents, unfortunately. Lots of bicycle crashes in Madison County are caused by drivers who are texting while driving, talking on the phone, or not paying attention to the road. In these situations, an injured cyclist may have grounds to pursue the negligent driver for injuries caused by the impact. If you have been hit by a car while riding a bicycle, call Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz to discuss your case with one of our Jackson personal injury lawyers. We are the largest Tennessee-based plaintiff’s personal injury law firm.
Holding Drivers Responsible for Injuring Cyclists
Many people may not know this, but bicyclists have most of the same legal rights and protections as motorists do in Tennessee. The law also says a bicycle has the same legal status as a vehicle. This means drivers must be on the lookout for cyclists just like they must be on the lookout for other vehicles or trucks on the street.
Consider the example of an intersection accident. If a bicyclist is crossing the street in a marked bike lane but a driver makes a right turn at the intersection and crashes into the cyclist, traumatic injuries may result. As bicycle accident lawyers in the Jackson area, we have seen these collisions all too often. Serious injuries following a bike crash may include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Permanent scarring
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord damage
Using this example, the defendant driver may attempt to avoid responsibility for the collision by blaming the bicyclist. The driver may claim the bicyclist failed to yield to oncoming traffic or did not pay attention to the road. Under this scenario, comparative law principles come into play. Under Tennessee law, the plaintiff bears the burden of proving that the defendant caused the accident and any resulting injuries or damages. If the plaintiff is found to be partially at fault, his or her award may be reduced accordingly, by that percentage of fault. Tennessee follows the rule of modified comparative fault, meaning the plaintiff may be barred from collecting damages altogether if he or she is found to be primarily at fault.
A seasoned bicycle accident attorney in the Jackson area will understand how to gather the evidence needed to protect your claim and present your version of events to a judge or jury. For example, identifying and interview witnesses early in the case can help prove you had the right of way. If you were struck by a commercial vehicle or tractor trailer, it may be necessary to take steps to prevent spoliation of evidence such as black box data, driver logbooks, and dash camera footage from the truck.
How NST Can Help Following Your Accident
By handling a wide variety of injury cases for over 30 years, our Jackson bicycle accident attorneys can evaluate the particular facts of your circumstances and advise if we can assist in pursuing your case. Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz has more than 30 attorneys and 100 staff members, which gives us the resources to begin investigating your wreck and protecting your legal rights as soon as possible. Our car crash lawyers represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not receive our attorney fee until we collect monetary damages on your behalf. Let us show you why NST is the way to go. To get started, call us today, toll free, at 800-529-4004. You may also contact us through our online form to set up a free appointment.
Our Office Location
Jackson, TN Office
2709 N. Highland Avenue
Jackson, TN 38305
Phone: 731-427-5550
