Chilliwack Bicycle Accident Lawyers
When negligent drivers speed through intersections, ignore traffic signs and signals, distractedly turn corners, change lanes without signaling, or open the doors of their parked cars without checking for oncoming cyclists, they can seriously injure other members of the local community. Bicycle accidents in Chilliwack can cause injured survivors to endure physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial distress. These types of accidents are frequently preventable, and are often caused by the wrongful actions (or inactions) of negligent motorists.
In accordance with the province’s Motor Vehicle Act, all drivers in British Columbia owe a duty of care to their fellow road-users, including cyclists. If a driver fails to uphold this duty of care by violating the rules of the road and a bicycle accident ensues, the at-fault motorist might be considered negligent.
Before May 1, 2021, if a driver’s negligence led to an injury-causing bicycle accident, the at-fault motor vehicle operator could have been liable for damages incurred by the injured accident victim. That means, if you were injured in a collision before May 1, 2021 and sustained compensable injuries as a result, our Chilliwack bicycle accident lawyers may be able to help you in your pursuit of accountability and restitution.
By working with our bicycle accident lawyers serving Chilliwack, cyclists who were injured before May 1, 2021 could potentially recover compensation from the at-fault driver by pursuing a civil claim. Damages that injured cyclists might be able to recover include:
- Medical expenses
- Physiotherapy costs
- Prescriptions
- Psychological counseling
- Psychiatric treatment
- Mobility aids
- Prosthetics
- Other medical equipment
- Housekeeping costs
- Mileage to and from medical appointments
- Home renovations to accommodate new disabilities
- Legal fees
- Pain and suffering
- And more
ICBC, the sole provider of basic auto insurance in the province of British Columbia, has recently imposed new changes to the ways in which injured bicycle accident victims can recover compensation. Per their new “enhanced care” model of insurance coverage, people who are injured in collisions caused by negligent drivers are no longer entitled to pursue legal action against the at-fault driver. Instead, they become totally reliant on the no-fault accident benefits provided by ICBC. Injured cyclists, therefore, could be faced with the years-long, bureaucratic nightmares of seeking fair treatment from the provincially-owned Crown corporation, even if they themselves have never owned or operated a motor vehicle.
ICBC’s new “enhanced care” model makes it harder for injured survivors of motor vehicle collisions to appeal unfair decisions to get the compensation they deserve. In an attempt to reduce the rates of drivers’ insurance premiums, ICBC has robbed the most vulnerable road-users of their basic rights to fair treatment. If you wish to express your outrage over this new insurance model, contact your MLA.
Our Chilliwack bicycle accident lawyers appreciate how overwhelming being injured in a collision can be. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, all prospective clients receive a free initial consultation. Even if you were injured after May 1, 2021, you might benefit from a cost-free, no-obligation first meeting with our bicycle accident lawyers serving Chilliwack. To receive personalized feedback on your case, call 1-800-JUSTICE.
Call 1-800-JUSTICE for Your Free Initial Consultation
Learn about the options for financial recovery that might be available to you by scheduling your free initial consultation with our Chilliwack bicycle accident lawyers. To receive the benefit of case-specific legal advice, contact us online or call 1-800-JUSTICE to speak with our bicycle accident lawyers serving Chilliwack today.
