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Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Wakefield? Marasco & Nesselbush Can Help
A collision between a bicycle and a car can leave a rider with serious injuries, medical bills, and lost wages.
Unlike occupants of cars, bicycle riders have little protection from the force of a crash or the impact of hitting the pavement.
Disputes often arise over whether a driver yielded, passed safely, or paid attention to a bicyclist sharing the road.
At Marasco & Nesselbush, our Wakefield bicycle accident lawyers investigate bike accidents, evaluate insurance coverage, and pursue compensation for injured cyclists throughout South Kingstown and surrounding communities.
We handle qualifying personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact Marasco & Nesselbush for a free consultation about your bicycle accident.
Why Choose Marasco & Nesselbush for a Bicycle Accident Claim?
Marasco & Nesselbush has represented injured Rhode Islanders since 1999.
Our attorneys have more than 350 years of combined legal experience, and our law firm has recovered over $500 million for clients across its practice areas.
Representing injured cyclists requires more than reviewing a crash report.
Our attorneys examine driver movements, bicycle damage, roadway markings, available recordings, and medical records to determine what happened and how the injuries affect the rider’s life.
Eyewitness testimony can help prove liability in bike accidents when a driver and an injured cyclist give conflicting accounts of a turn, passing distance, or right of way.
When an insurance company disputes liability or offers inadequate compensation, our team handles negotiations and evaluates whether litigation is appropriate.
Clients have access to our Wakefield office at 231 Old Tower Hill Road, Suite 206, as well as English- and Spanish-language assistance.
We offer free consultations to injured bicyclists and their families.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Wakefield
Careless drivers can cause a bike crash by turning across a cyclist’s path, failing to yield, or passing too closely.
A motorist does not have to strike the bicycle directly to cause injuries; forcing a rider to swerve or fall may also support a negligence claim.
Common causes of bicycle collisions include:
- Unsafe passing: A driver overtakes a bicyclist without sufficient clearance, forcing the rider toward a curb or other hazard.
- Right-hook collisions: A motorist turns right across the path of a cyclist traveling alongside the vehicle.
- Left-turn collisions: An oncoming driver turns across a bicycle rider proceeding straight through an intersection.
- Dooring accidents: A driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an approaching cyclist.
- Failure to yield: A vehicle pulls out of a driveway, parking area, or side street into a cyclist’s path.
- Distracted or impaired driving: A motorist fails to see bicycle riders because of phone use, intoxication, or inattention.
- Bicycle lane violations: A driver crosses a marked bike lane without yielding to a cyclist already using it.
Damaged pavement, construction hazards, or defective bicycle parts can also contribute to an accident.
Who May Be Responsible for a Bicycle Accident?
A negligent driver may be responsible for a bike accident, but other parties can share liability.
For example, an employer may be liable for a crash caused by an employee acting within the scope of employment, while a defective bicycle component may support a claim against a manufacturer.
Bike lanes and intersection improvements can make roads safer, but damaged pavement or an unsafe construction zone may raise questions about the legal responsibilities of local governments and roadway contractors.
Claims against public bodies involve additional legal requirements and restrictions.
Injured and not sure what your case is worth? Find out for free.
Common Injuries in Wakefield Bicycle Accidents
Bike accidents can cause multiple injuries, particularly when a rider is struck by a vehicle or thrown onto pavement.
Injured cyclists may require emergency care, surgery, or extensive medical treatment before returning to work or riding again.
Common bicycle accident injuries include:
- Broken bones: Fractures of the wrists, arms, collarbones, legs, or pelvis that may require surgery or rehabilitation.
- Traumatic brain injury: Concussions and more severe brain injuries that can affect memory, concentration, balance, or movement.
- Spinal and neck injuries: Damage to discs, vertebrae, nerves, or the spinal cord that may cause lasting impairment.
- Road rash and soft tissue injuries: Deep abrasions, scarring, torn ligaments, and shoulder damage.
- Internal injuries: Bleeding or organ damage that may not produce obvious symptoms immediately after impact.
Cyclists who suffered injuries should seek prompt medical care, especially after a head impact or when symptoms appear or worsen after leaving the scene.
Medical records help establish the nature of the injuries, the treatment provided, and any ongoing limitations.
Rhode Island Bicycle Laws That May Affect Your Claim
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19-3, bicycle riders generally have the rights and duties of other vehicle operators, subject to rules specific to bicycles.
Bicycle safety requirements and traffic laws may become important when drivers and riders disagree about responsibility for a crash.
Important Rhode Island bike law provisions include:
- Direction of travel: Bicyclists riding on a roadway must travel with the flow of traffic rather than against oncoming vehicles, consistent with the traffic rules that apply to vehicle operators.
- Safe passing: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-18 generally requires motorists passing a bicycle to leave a safe distance, subject to specified exceptions. Rhode Island does not have a universal three-foot passing requirement.
- Roadway position: Under § 31-19-6, cyclists generally must ride as near the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care and following applicable signs or markings.
- Bicycle lanes: Under § 31-17-9, drivers turning across a bicycle lane must yield to riders using it.
- Car doors: Under § 31-21-14, a vehicle occupant must not open a door into moving traffic unless doing so is reasonably safe.
- Nighttime lighting and reflectors: Under § 31-19-10, bicycles used at night must have a white front lamp visible from at least 500 feet and specified side reflectors. The law also requires a rear red reflector and reflective pedals.
- Comparative negligence: Under § 9-20-4, a cyclist’s percentage of fault reduces recoverable damages but does not automatically prevent recovery.
A traffic violation may be relevant to negligence, but the evidence must still establish how the conduct contributed to the collision and the resulting harm.
Compensation and Insurance After a Bicycle Accident
Injured cyclists may seek financial compensation for economic losses and the physical or emotional consequences of an accident caused by another party’s negligence.
Depending on the facts, recoverable damages may include:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and reasonably anticipated future treatment.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: Missed income and reduced ability to work because of lasting injuries.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and restrictions on normal activities.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: A non-economic loss that may apply when an avid cyclist can no longer participate in regular rides, commuting, exercise, or other activities enjoyed before the crash.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement value for a damaged bicycle and other equipment, as supported by the evidence.
Permanent impairment or disfigurement may affect the amount of compensation available.
If you lost a loved one in a fatal bicycle collision, a wrongful death claim may be available under Rhode Island law.
Which Insurance Policies May Cover a Bicycle Accident?
When a motor vehicle strikes a cyclist, the responsible driver’s car insurance is often the first potential source of compensation.
Depending on the circumstances and policy terms, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, or a commercial auto policy may also apply.
Health insurance may cover eligible medical bills while treatment continues, although reimbursement obligations can affect the net amount received after a settlement.
Insurance companies may make early settlement offers before medical treatment is complete. Insurance adjusters may undervalue bicycle-related injuries and damages when future care, lost earning capacity, or lasting limitations have not yet been documented.
A bicycle accident attorney can examine the available coverage, document the full extent of the losses, and address a disputed settlement offer from the insurance company.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Wakefield
After a bike crash, bike riders can protect their health and preserve evidence by taking these steps:
- Call 911 and obtain medical attention. Report the collision and describe your symptoms, including head impacts, pain, or dizziness.
- Document the scene if it is safe. Photograph bicycle damage, nearby cars, roadway markings, traffic controls, and visible injuries.
- Collect contact information. Record the driver’s name, car insurance details, and witness contact information.
- Preserve evidence. Keep damaged equipment, clothing, helmets, and original cycling-app or GPS records. Avoid repairs or disposal until relevant damage has been documented.
- Request the police report and assess your options. The South Kingstown Police Department Records Division provides collision reports. A lawyer can review the report, applicable filing deadlines, and evidence that may require preservation.
Speak With a Wakefield Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Marasco & Nesselbush
A serious bicycle collision can leave unanswered questions about fault, insurance coverage, and future medical needs.
Marasco & Nesselbush represents injured bicyclists in claims involving negligent motorists and other potentially responsible parties.
Our attorneys investigate the accident, communicate with insurers, document losses, and pursue compensation through negotiations or court proceedings when appropriate.
Contact our Wakefield office for a free consultation about your bicycle accident claim.
Qualifying cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, with no attorney fee unless compensation is recovered.
Talk to a lawyer and get a free case evaluation today.
