Accidents between motor vehicles and bicycles can cause traumatic injuries and have devastating results. When a Maryland bicyclist is involved in a collision with a car, they may suffer significant physical harm that permanently alters their future. In some cases, victims of vehicle-bicycle accidents can pursue their losses through personal injury litigation.
Claims based on personal injuries are often based on the legal theory of negligence. This post will explore negligence and how it can happen when cars and bikes meet on Maryland roads. Readers of this post are reminded, though, that the contents of this post are not legal advice. Counsel from knowledgeable personal injury attorneys can help individuals determine how best to approach their possible legal claims.
When drivers are negligent on Maryland roads
Negligence is based on parties have duties of care to each other. For example, when a driver gets into their car, they have a duty of care to act reasonably to all others that they encounter. That duty extends to other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. When a driver does not act reasonably, their actions may be considered negligent.
Consider, for example, a driver who sends text messages as they operate their motor vehicle. They fail to keep their eyes on the road and during a period of inattentiveness, strike a bicyclist who is legally crossing the road. They breach their duty to the victim by failing to act reasonably, and if the victim can show that they suffered damages and that the driver was the cause of their harm, the victim may have a good claim based on negligence.
Understanding one’s rights when injuries happen
A personal injury accident like a car-bike collision can be devastating and overwhelming. Many victims are uncertain of what rights they have and what options they can pursue to become whole in the wake of their crashes. One of the most important first steps that a victim can take to protect their interests and rights is to contact a personal injury attorney for guidance. Legal professionals are ready to support victims in need of counsel and representation.
