Bicycle Accident Lawyers Medicine Hat

In the immediate aftermath of a bicycle accident, it can be difficult to know what to do, or where to turn for assistance. But after being struck by a negligent driver while riding a bicycle, every second can be crucial.

By seeking immediate medical attention after a collision with a motor vehicle – even if it does not feel like serious injuries have been sustained in the bicycle accident – cyclists may be able to avoid unnecessary complications on their road to physical recovery. Similarly, by seeking legal advice as soon as possible, injured survivors of bicycle accidents in Medicine Hat could have a better chance of securing the financial compensation they rightfully deserve.

Injured bicycle accident survivors should be entitled to Section B benefits, which are intended to offset certain injury-related costs incurred by the survivors of all motor vehicle collisions. If the driver of the vehicle in question was uninsured or if they fled the scene of the collision, the injured cyclist may be able to access coverage through the province’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program (MVAC). However, depending on the severity of the injuries they have sustained, the insurance coverage available to an injured bicycle accident survivor may not be enough to cover their total injury-related losses.

Due to their relative lack of protection from the dangers of the road, cyclists are among the most vulnerable road-users and some of the most likely community members to be severely injured or wrongfully killed as the result of a collision with a motor vehicle. Across Alberta, hospitalizations resulting from bicycle accidents have seen a year-over-year increase of a shocking 48%. This province-wide spike in cycling injuries should be a major cause for concern.

Unfortunately, drivers in Medicine Hat often violate local traffic laws, regularly engaging in wrongful, negligent behaviour behind the wheel. By doing so, they endanger the lives of all road-users, particularly the most vulnerable among them. Some common examples of driver negligence that could put the lives of Medicine Hat cyclists at risk include:

• Texting while driving
• Speeding
• Ignoring traffic signs/signals
• Driving distractedly
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• And more

When a driver strikes a cyclist, there is an automatic presumption of negligence on the part of the motorist. However, negligent drivers and their insurance providers often try proving that the injured cyclist was contributorily negligent, meaning that their own actions contributed to the circumstances that caused the accident. If they can successfully prove this, the compensation available to the injured cyclist could be drastically reduced.

This is one of the reasons why it is imperative to contact our Medicine Hat bicycle accident lawyers as soon as possible. Our bicycle accident lawyers serving Medicine Hat are familiar with the unfair tactics often used by insurers to reduce the settlement amounts they are required to pay injured cyclists. By working with our Medicine Hat bicycle accident lawyers, you may be able to recover the maximum amount of compensation to which you should be entitled.

Only Pay if We Win

At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we offer a free initial consultation to all prospective clients. What’s more: our bicycle accident lawyers serving Medicine Hat work on a contingency-fee basis. That means you do not pay unless we win.

To take advantage of your free initial consultation and learn more about how our Medicine Hat bicycle accident lawyers may be able to help you, contact us today.