Bicycling in Manassas can be a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors and stay active. However, a bicycle accident can lead to severe consequences and confusion about what to do next.
At Right Path Law Group, our Manassas bicycle accident attorneys are committed to helping cyclists navigate the legal system following an injury and securing the compensation they deserve.
Why Choose Our Manassas Bicycle Accident Lawyers?
Our firm has 15 years of experience and a successful track record in recovering six-figure settlements. Attorney Pierre Prialé has lived in Northern Virginia since he was a child. He grew up in Annandale and has deep ties to the area. Over the course of his career, Pierre Prialé has successfully handled more than 2,000 criminal cases and hundreds of personal injury cases.
Located in the heart of Manassas at 7900 Sudley Road, Suite 303, our office is easily accessible to residents. Our office is right across the street from Fairfax Old Town Hall and Old Town Square. We’re also just a few blocks from the Fairfax Historic Courthouse Museum and the City of Fairfax Regional Library. Our local presence means we are familiar with Manassas’s roads and traffic patterns, which is an advantage in bicycle accident cases.
Consult our experienced Manassas personal injury lawyers today.
Manassas Bicycle Accident Compensation
Compensation in bicycle accident cases covers a range of damages you may suffer. At Right Path Law Group, our comprehensive approach ensures we pursue compensation that reflects the full extent of your losses and experiences. Here’s how we handle each type of compensation.
Medical Expenses
This includes all costs of your medical care post-accident, such as emergency room fees, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any long-term care or rehabilitation. To recover these costs, we compile all your medical bills and records. We also work with medical experts to project future medical expenses, ensuring that ongoing and future care needs are covered.
Lost Income and Lost Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevent you from working, temporarily or permanently, you are entitled to compensation for lost income. This also extends to lost earning capacity if your injuries impact your ability to earn in the future. We use your employment history, pay stubs, and expert testimony on your career trajectory and potential earnings to establish these losses.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering is a non-economic damage that compensates for the physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the accident. Proving this involves detailing the severity and impact of your injuries on your daily life. Personal journals, medical reports, and psychological evaluations can illustrate the extent of your pain and suffering.
Property Damage
Property damage covers the cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle and any other personal property damaged in the accident. We collect repair bills or replacement valuations to claim these damages.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless or egregious, punitive damages may be available as a form of punishment and deterrence. These are less common and require clear evidence of the defendant’s malicious or careless behavior.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, you can claim compensation for this loss. We help demonstrate this loss through evidence of your pre-accident lifestyle compared to your limitations post-accident.
In pursuing these different types of compensation, our firm takes a detailed and evidence-based approach. We gather and present the necessary documentation and expert testimonies to establish the accident’s full impact on your life. Our skilled negotiators advocate on your behalf with insurance companies and, if necessary, in court to ensure you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Where Can Bicycle Accidents Occur in Manassas?
In Manassas, VA, there are several potential sites for bicycle accidents based on general traffic patterns and common areas of higher risk. These areas are typically where the accidents described earlier are most likely to occur. Here is a general guide for potential high-risk areas in Manassas:
- Intersections along Main Thoroughfares: Busy intersections, especially those on major roads like Sudley Road, Centreville Road, and Liberia Avenue, are likely spots for left-turn and right-turn collisions. The complexity and heavy traffic at these intersections increases the risk for bicyclists.
- Areas with Parked Cars: Streets with parallel parking, such as those in downtown Manassas or near shopping centers, may have a higher risk of door collisions. These incidents often occur when a car occupant opens their door without noticing an approaching bicyclist.
- Driveways of Large Commercial Centers: The driveways leading in and out of large shopping areas or business parks, for example, around Manassas Mall or along Balls Ford Road, can be potential sites for driveway collisions due to the frequent movement of vehicles.
- Roads with Poor Maintenance: Areas known for poor road conditions, such as streets with potholes or debris, can be more prone to causing “wipeouts.” These might include older streets or less-maintained roads in and around the city.
- Bike Paths and Recreational Trails: While designed for safety, bike paths and trails, like those in Bull Run Regional Park, can still be sites for accidents, especially at points where they intersect with roads or have changes in elevation or sharp turns.
Remember, while these locations can be considered potential high-risk areas, bicycle accidents can happen anywhere. Vigilance and adherence to safety measures are crucial for cyclists and motorists to prevent accidents. If you have been in a bicycle accident in Manassas, contact our bicycle accident attorneys at Right Path Law Group to understand your rights and options.
Our Focus on Manassas Bicycle Accidents
In Manassas, as in many urban areas, bicyclists face hazards that can lead to accidents. Understanding how these accidents occur is crucial for both prevention and legal recourse. Here’s a closer look at the common types of bicycle accidents and how Right Path Law Group can assist in each scenario.
Collisions with Vehicles at Intersections or on Roadways
These accidents often occur when a driver fails to see a bicyclist while turning, running a stop sign, or entering the roadway from a side street or driveway. A common scenario is a driver making a left turn across the path of an oncoming bicyclist. These collisions can also happen when a vehicle merges into a bike lane without noticing a cyclist. Right Path Law Group helps victims of these accidents by investigating the crash scene, gathering evidence, and working with accident reconstruction experts to prove driver negligence.
Accidents Due to Opening Car Doors (“Dooring”)
“Dooring” accidents happen when a car occupant opens their door into the path of an oncoming bicyclist. These incidents often occur on busy urban streets with parallel parking. The sudden and unexpected nature of these accidents can cause serious injury to bicyclists. Our firm assists in these cases by establishing liability, often involving the vehicle occupant who opened the door. We gather eyewitness accounts and available surveillance footage to build a strong case.
Crashes Caused by Poor Road Conditions or Lack of Proper Signage
Accidents resulting from poor road conditions, such as potholes, uneven road surfaces, or lack of proper signage, are more complicated as they may involve municipal liability. These accidents can cause the bicyclist to lose control and crash.
Right Path Law Group approaches these cases by investigating the accident location, determining the responsible party for road maintenance, and proving negligence in maintaining safe road conditions. This often involves going through the governmental claims processes and legal intricacies specific to claims against public entities.
Common Injuries in Manassas Bicycle Accidents
In bicycle accidents, some types of injuries are more common due to the vulnerability of cyclists on the road. Here’s an expanded look at the typical injuries sustained in bicycle accidents and how Right Path Law Group can assist victims in these scenarios:
Head and Brain Injuries, Even When Wearing a Helmet
Despite the protective qualities of a helmet, cyclists can still suffer head and brain injuries during an accident. These can range from concussions (mild traumatic brain injuries) to more severe cases like skull fractures or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Such injuries can result from direct impacts to the head or violent jolts that cause the brain to move within the skull. The consequences might include cognitive impairment, memory loss, or even long-term disability.
Right Path Law Group assists clients by ensuring these injuries are properly diagnosed and documented. We work with medical experts to understand the full impact of these injuries and seek compensation that covers medical treatment, rehabilitation, and any long-term care needs.
Broken Bones and Fractures
In collisions, cyclists often suffer broken bones or fractures due to the force of impact on a vehicle or the ground. Common areas for these injuries include the wrists, arms, legs, and ribs. The severity can range from simple fractures, which may heal with immobilization, to compound fractures, which may require surgical intervention. Our firm helps clients recover the costs associated with these injuries, including medical bills, physical therapy, and any necessary surgeries.
Road Rash and Other Skin Abrasions
Road rash occurs when a cyclist’s skin scrapes against the road surface, resulting in abrasions. Severe road rash can lead to serious infections and require skin grafting or other medical treatments. Other common skin abrasions include cuts and bruises from road or vehicle contact. Right Path Law Group ensures that all skin and soft tissue injuries are fully assessed and documented. We seek compensation for immediate medical treatment and any long-term care, such as scar treatment or plastic surgery, that may be required.
Fighting the Insurance Company
Fighting the insurance company in bicycle accident cases involves addressing several tactics they often use to minimize payouts. Understanding these tactics and why insurers use them is key to effectively countering them. Here’s a detailed look at common insurance tactics and our approach to each:
Disputing Liability
Insurance companies may try to shift blame onto the cyclist, arguing that the cyclist’s negligence contributed to the accident. This tactic aims to reduce their financial responsibility.
We conduct thorough investigations, gathering evidence such as traffic camera footage, eyewitness accounts, and expert testimony to establish the driver’s liability.
Downplaying Injuries
By minimizing the severity of your injuries, insurers aim to reduce the amount they need to pay for medical expenses and other damages.
We compile comprehensive medical records, seek evaluations from medical experts, and sometimes use life care planners to demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.
Offering Quick but Inadequate Settlements
Insurers often offer quick settlements to tempt victims into accepting less compensation than they deserve, especially before claimants realize the full extent of damages.
We provide clients with informed advice on the fairness of settlement offers and negotiate for settlements that adequately cover all current and future damages.
Misinterpreting Policy Language
Insurance companies may interpret ambiguous policy language in their favor to limit the amount they are obligated to pay.
Our legal team reviews policy documents to challenge the insurer’s interpretation and ensure that policy terms are applied fairly and correctly.
Requesting Unnecessary Medical Examinations
Insurers may request independent medical exams by professionals they choose, often hoping these exams will produce opinions that support lower payouts. We scrutinize the need for such exams and ensure that any conducted are fair and impartial.
Delaying the Claims Process
Delays can pressure victims into accepting lower settlements and can be used to exploit financial strain on the injured party. We persistently follow up with insurers and take legal action if necessary to prevent undue delays and promote a timely resolution.
At Right Path Law Group, we anticipate and effectively respond to these insurance tactics, seeking the full and fair compensation they are entitled to. Our 15 years of experience and commitment to our client’s interests are the foundation of our approach in these challenging negotiations.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Manassas
After a bicycle accident, follow your doctor’s treatment plans and keep all medical records and receipts. Documenting your experience in a journal and obtaining a copy of the police report are also critical steps. Bringing this information to Right Path Law Group will significantly strengthen your case. Our team will use this documentation to build a compelling argument for your compensation.
Remember, if you are in a bicycle accident in Manassas, Right Path Law Group is here to help. Contact us online or call (571) 568-8676 for legal representation and dedicated support through every step of your case.