Boler Mountain and Fanshawe Lake Trail are just two of the bike paths used by cyclists in London, Ontario often. For residents and tourists that want to actually get around the city by bike, they will have to venture out onto roadways and share them with motorists. When they do, at times they may end up getting into an accident. When that happens and they suffer injuries, a London bicycle accident lawyer can help. A skilled accident lawyer can help their client to pursue damages following their negligence bicycle accident.
Our bicycle accident lawyers can meet with you in London for a free initial consultation. Call (416) 364-2000
Negligence in London Bicycle Accidents
When a bicycle accident happens, the cyclist is most likely going to be the only injured party. The force of hitting the cyclist is not going to be enough to cause a lot of damage to a much larger vehicle, and because the force will not be as great as it is when hitting another car, the driver of the car is likely not going to be injured.
However, the same cannot be said for the cyclist. With almost no safety gear to protect them, cyclists can suffer severe injuries when they are hit by a car and in some cases, the injuries can even be fatal. These injuries can cost a significant amount of money in medical expenses, rehabilitative equipment, and more to cover these costs. A bicycle accident lawyer in London can help injured parties recover any expenses associated with the accident.
If the injured party would like to file a personal injury lawsuit, a lawyer can help them prove negligence on the part of the driver. All motorists are required to act in a reasonable manner in order to keep other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians safe at all times while they are sharing the road. When drivers fail to do so and someone is hurt because they have not acted in a reasonable way, they may be found negligent. When that is the case, they may be found responsible for paying compensation to the injured party should the victim file a lawsuit.
London Bicycle Accidents Lawyer Near Me (416) 364-2000
Bicycle Accidents and Insurance
There are a number of insurance options victims will have if they are hit by a car while riding their bike. These include:
- The cyclist’s car insurance policy. Ontario is a no-fault insurance province and so, if the cyclist has a car insurance policy of their own, they will need to speak to their own insurance company in order to seek accident benefits
- The driver’s car insurance policy. If the cyclist does not have car insurance of their own, they can go through the driver’s car insurance policy in order to claim accident benefits. This is one reason why it is so important for cyclists to get the license number of the car that hit them, especially in cases of a hit and run accident
- Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Fund (MVACF). This is provincial accident insurance that is to be used as a last resort for victims that do not have car insurance, and that cannot go through the driver’s car insurance. It is important to note that MVACF has a cap of $200,000 on tort damage. Accident Benefits can also be obtained through the MVACF
- Homeowners insurance. When there is only damage to the bicycle and the cyclist has their own property insurance, they can go through that insurance policy to recover the costs of fixing their bike
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Contacting a London, Ontario Bicycle Accident Lawyer
While a lawyer can help accident victims file a personal injury lawsuit, they can also help when dealing with insurance companies. In fact, it is recommended that those injured do not speak to any insurance company without first contacting a London, Ontario bicycle accident lawyer.
If you or a loved one has been in a bicycle accident, it is important you do not try to go it alone. A bicycle accident lawyer in London, Ontario can help you file a personal injury lawsuit, and can speak to the insurance companies for you to ensure you get the full amount of compensation you may be entitled to.
Call or text (416) 364-2000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
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