You invested in safety gear, followed cycling laws, and used designated bike paths, but now you are paying the price for a driver’s negligence. When a bicycle accident happens, you not only experience property damage—your life is disrupted, your dreams are deferred, and you face an uphill battle to reclaim what was taken from you.
Trust The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto to defend your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Our Maryville personal injury lawyers hold over 50 years of experience and recovered millions for bicycle accident victims—reach out today to learn how experienced legal advocacy can make all the difference in your recovery.
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Maryville
The moments following a bicycle accident can feel overwhelming and disorienting. Your actions during these critical first hours can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation.
Take these steps to protect your legal rights:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine.
- Call the police to create an official accident report.
- Document the scene with photos of your injuries, bike, and vehicles.
- Collect names and contact information from all witnesses.
- Exchange insurance and license details with the driver.
- Preserve your damaged bicycle, helmet, and clothing as evidence.
- Contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney before speaking with insurers.
Your Rights as a Cyclist in Maryville, Tennessee
Tennessee law grants cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, meaning you have every right to share the road safely. You’re entitled to use traffic lanes, follow traffic signals, and expect other drivers to respect your presence on the roadway. However, these rights come with corresponding responsibilities—you must follow traffic laws, signal your turns, maintain proper lighting during low-visibility conditions, and ride predictably.
You also have the right to seek compensation after an accident. Under Tennessee’s fault-based system, the party responsible for causing your accident bears financial responsibility for your damages. This means if a driver’s negligence caused your injuries, their insurance should cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses. You can also file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Navigating Insurance Claims After a Bicycle Accident in TN
The insurance claims process following a bicycle accident can be particularly challenging. Insurance adjusters will scrutinize every aspect of your claim, from questioning whether you were wearing a helmet to suggesting you should have been riding elsewhere. They may offer quick settlements that seem reasonable initially, but fall far short of covering your long-term medical needs and lost earning capacity.
This is why you need a Maryville bicycle accident lawyer on your side. The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto understand these tactics and can level the playing field by thoroughly investigating your accident, gathering expert testimony, and building a compelling case that demonstrates the full extent of your damages. We made it as difficult as possible for these companies to question your side of the story.
Damages That Can Be Recovered After a Maryville Bicycle Accident
Tennessee law allows you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, addressing all aspects of the harm you suffered. You are entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: This includes all current and future medical treatment related to your accident, from emergency room visits and surgery to ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation services.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: You can recover compensation for time missed from work during your recovery, as well as any reduction in your future earning potential due to permanent disabilities.
- Pain and Suffering: This addresses the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish you’ve experienced as a result of the accident and your injuries.
- Property Damage: This helps pay for the cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle and any other personal property damaged in the accident, including specialized cycling gear.
Who Is Responsible for a Bicycle Accident?
Multiple parties may be responsible for a bicycle accident. Most commonly, motor vehicle drivers bear responsibility when they fail to see cyclists, follow too closely, make unsafe turns, or violate traffic laws. However, responsibility may also extend to other road users:
- If a commercial vehicle was involved, the employer may be liable under vicarious liability principles.
- Government entities can be responsible when poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage, or dangerous road designs contribute to accidents.
- Bicycle or vehicle manufacturers may bear responsibility if defective equipment played a role in the collision.
- Property owners might be liable if their negligent maintenance of adjacent areas created hazardous conditions for cyclists.
How a Maryville Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Claim
The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto bring decades of experience fighting for injured cyclists who deserve justice and fair compensation. We understand that bicycle accidents involve unique considerations that require deep knowledge of traffic laws, cycling regulations, and the challenges cyclists face on Tennessee roads. Our firm conducts thorough investigations, working with accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to build compelling cases that insurance companies cannot ignore.
We know how to counter the common defenses insurance companies use against cyclists, from questioning visibility to suggesting comparative fault. Our aggressive advocacy protects your rights throughout the entire process, from initial insurance negotiations to a courtroom trial if necessary. We handle all communication and paperwork, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we focus on securing the maximum compensation available for your injuries and losses.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Bicycle Accident in Tennessee?
You only have one year from the date of your bicycle accident to file a claim. This brief window can pass quickly while you’re focused on medical treatment and recovery, but missing this deadline typically means losing your right to seek compensation entirely. Contact a lawyer immediately after your crash to discuss your options and file your claim before the statute of limitations expires.
See How a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Maryville Can Help You
Cyclists face unique vulnerabilities that drivers and their insurers often fail to acknowledge. If you were injured, The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto will fight tirelessly for compensation that reflects the true scope of your injuries, lost wages, and pain. Contact us today at (865) 691-2777 to discuss how we can help restore your life after a devastating bicycle collision.