As a bicyclist, you have the same right to the roadway as people who drive cars. If you are injured by a careless driver who does not give you the right of way, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other damages. At the law firm of Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman, in Southaven and Hernando, our motor vehicle accident lawyers handle bicycle accident cases in North Mississippi.
Mississippi Biking Laws
According to The Mississippi Department of Transportation, cyclists are required to follow certain rules while on the road in order to protect themselves while riding. These laws include:
- Follow all traffic laws, such as stop signs and traffic lights
- Always ride as far to the right as practical
Motor vehicles are required to follow specific traffic laws concerning cyclists, specifically laws outlines in the 2010 law titled the John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety Act. According to this law:
- Motor vehicles must leave at lease a 3 foot clearance when passing cyclists
- Motorists or pedestrians are not allowed to throw things at or harass cyclists while they are riding
We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have about your injuries or right to compensation.
Bicycle Accidents and Liability
Most car-bike collisions occur because the driver of the car didn’t see the bicyclist, either because they weren’t paying attention to their surroundings or they were distracted by a cell phone. Following the accident, the driver may say that the bicycle “came out of nowhere” or swerved in front of the car. To protect your right to full compensation, it’s important to collect and preserve evidence such as skid marks, vehicle damage and witness statements to show you weren’t as at fault as the driver claims you were.
In one of the bicycle accident cases we handled, the driver of the car tried to blame the accident on the bicyclist. From damage on the car and bike and a lack of any sign of braking, our attorneys were able to prove that the car collided with the rear of the bicycle.
In almost all rear-end collisions, the driver who struck the other vehicle from behind is at fault. Mississippi is a pure comparative fault state. Even if you or your child is partially at fault, you are able to recover the portion of the fault against the driver.
Children and Bicycle Accidents
Drivers have a responsibility to watch for children near playgrounds, schools and other areas where children congregate. If your child has suffered broken bones, a head injury, or other serious trauma in a bicycle accident, our lawyers will help your child receive the medical care he or she needs to make the fullest possible recovery.
Bicycles and Auto Insurance
If you are injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, the UM/UIM coverage you have on your car may cover you. Our bicycle accident lawyers will investigate all possible sources of insurance and stacked coverage and then deal with your insurer to help you obtain full compensation.
For a free and confidential consultation, contact us to speak with a lawyer. There are no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman helps those who have been injured in a bicycle accident throughout Northern Mississippi including the cities of Southaven and Hernando as well as the counties of DeSoto, Marshall, Tate, and Tunica.
