Albuquerque Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Albuquerque Bicycle Accident Attorney

It can be enjoyable and rewarding to ride your bicycle around town, especially if you have no other method of transportation available to you. Unfortunately, there are many different ways you could end up in a terrible accident when riding a bike. If you find yourself injured in a bicycle accident, you should consider contacting an Albuquerque bicycle accident lawyer who can help you obtain the compensation you need to recover.

If you decide to take legal action against the party or parties who caused your accident, you want to be as prepared as possible. The last thing you want is to be taken advantage of by an insurance company or by opposing counsel seeking to discredit you. The seasoned legal team at Berenson & Associates, PC, can provide you with the necessary resources to pursue your case and ensure that you get the chance to seek compensation with a skilled Albuquerque personal injury lawyer.

New Mexico’s Bicycle Laws

Under New Mexico state law, bicyclists are expected to obey the same rules of the road that every other driver on the road must also obey. This includes obeying traffic lights, street signs, and speed limits. All bicyclists are expected to ride with traffic and not against it. Unfortunately, bicycles are considerably more vulnerable when compared to cars, trucks, vans, and all other vehicles they are riding alongside. You should always exercise caution when riding on the road.

When it comes to bicycle helmets, New Mexico has a fairly strict and straightforward helmet law. State law requires that any cyclist under 18 years old wear a safety helmet. This law is in place to ensure that children are as protected as they can possibly be when riding a bike. Anyone over the age of 18 is not required to wear a helmet, but it is still recommended that they do anyway. Helmets have been proven time and time again to save lives in the event of an accident in Albuquerque, NM.

According to a 2023 crash report from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, there were a total of 302 vehicular accidents in the state that involved a bicycle. Twelve of these accidents resulted in fatalities, while 74 resulted in possible injuries. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, be sure to have your injuries examined by a doctor. Local hospitals include Albuquerque ER & Hospital, Kindred Hospital Albuquerque, Lovelace Medical Center, and others.

Statute of Limitations

If you are considering moving forward with legal action against the individual who caused your accident, it is imperative that your case adheres to the state of New Mexico’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims, which includes bicycle accident claims. For most cases, you will have three years to establish grounds for your claim, build up a strong enough case, gather all the evidence, contact an injury lawyer, and file a claim for damages.

The last thing you want is to find out that your case is no longer considered valid because you waited too long to file it. If you are unable to put together your case before three years have passed, you will likely have your case dismissed. Your opportunity to seek damages for your case will pass without any legal action being taken. Building a strong injury case can take more time than you might expect. You should start building yours as soon as possible.

If you are concerned about your case’s strength or validity, you may want to consider bringing your case to an injury lawyer for an evaluation. They can tell you if your case is strong enough to pursue as is or if it needs additional work, such as more evidence.

Bicycle Accident FAQs

Q: How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Cycling Accident?

A: The amount of compensation you can get for your cycling accident will vary greatly between accidents. Every cycling accident case is unique, with each one having its own significant factors that will contribute to the total settlement amount. Your settlement amount will largely be influenced by the severity of your injuries, the stance of the insurance companies, and your lawyer’s negotiation skills, among other factors.

Q: Who Is at Fault if a Car Hits a Bicycle in New Mexico?

A: Generally, when a car hits a bicycle, the driver of the car is considered to be at fault. Since they are in the larger, more protected vehicle, they are often automatically assumed to be responsible before an investigation is launched. An investigation may prove that the cyclist was at least partially responsible for the accident. If traffic laws were disobeyed by either party, that can be a sign of fault.

Q: What Is the Most Common Injury in a Bike Accident?

A: In most bike accidents, the most common injury is head trauma. A bicycle accident can be a severely traumatic experience that results in serious injuries. If you aren’t wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, you may suffer a serious head injury that could be permanent, resulting in brain damage. The injuries you might sustain in your bike accident will largely be dependent on the details of your case.

Q: Do Bicyclists Have the Right of Way in New Mexico?

A: Since bicyclists are expected to obey the rules of the road like every other driver, they will have the right of way when appropriate. Other times, they may not. It depends entirely on their position on the road. Bicyclists will be expected to recognize when they do and do not have the right of way. If they turn when they shouldn’t, they could cause an accident and be held responsible for the damage.

Contact an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today – Berenson & Associates, PC

At Berenson & Associates, PC, we can help you determine the right course of action for your bicycle accident case. Our passionate legal team is dedicated to helping clients when they need it most. Contact us to speak to a valued team member about your accident.