Santa Fe Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Santa Fe Bicycle Accident Attorney

When a pleasant bicycle trip goes catastrophically wrong due to someone else’s carelessness, negligence, or illegal driving, a Santa Fe bicycle accident lawyer may be able to help you file a claim seeking compensation for your injuries.

New Mexico can seem like a low-key, idyllic state for outdoor enthusiasts, and in many ways, it is exactly that. Many residents and visitors are, therefore, surprised to learn that New Mexico is actually among the top ten most dangerous states in the nation for bicyclists.

When you’re looking for a bike injury attorney, NM offers a variety of choices, but one firm’s reputation and legal acumen stand out above the rest. Berenson & Associates, PC boasts a track record of successfully helping injured parties secure significant compensation packages in the aftermath of bicycle crashes, motorcycle collisions, and other situations resulting in serious injuries.

No matter how complicated or unique your case is, we can develop a powerful, custom legal strategy that makes a compelling case and results in a maximized compensation package.

New Mexico Bicycle Collisions: The Deadly Truth

New Mexico has relatively safe roadways when compared to some other states in the region, so people are often surprised to learn that it is one of the deadliest states for bicyclists. It is, in fact, the 7th most deadly cycling state in the nation, based on recent years’ data interpreted per capita. New Mexico sees a rate of nearly three bicycling deaths for every 100,000 people–an alarming statistic in a state of over 2 million.

While the more urban setting of Albuquerque accounts for over half of all bicycle crashes in the state, Santa Fe also sees its share of bicycle collisions and motor vehicle accidents involving cyclists. Despite efforts to improve public safety and cycling infrastructure in Albuquerque and throughout the state, the annual number of serious and fatal bicycle crashes remains a concern.

Whether your cycling injury occurred in the heart of downtown or on a mountain trail outside of Santa Fe, the team at Berenson & Associates, PC, can help you pursue a fair settlement to support yourself and your dependents while you recover from your injuries.

Understanding the Causes of Santa Fe Bicycle Accidents

Like other types of roadway accidents, there is a long list of potential causes behind bicycle accidents. Some common ones include:

• Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is a major roadway safety concern, especially when exacerbated by a modern world full of roadside advertisements, cell phones, and a myriad of other distractions. Drivers who aren’t paying attention to the road pose a serious risk to bicyclists, as well as to pedestrians and other motorists. It is estimated that distracted driving contributes to more than 10% of all bicycle crashes.
• Intoxicated Driving – A driver who is impaired by alcohol or drugs also represents a serious danger to the cyclists, drivers, passengers, and pedestrians they share the roadway with. Drunk drivers may be more likely to veer into bike lanes or may fail to react to oncoming cyclists in time.
• Darkness – Around a quarter of all bicycle accidents occur from dusk to dawn, despite there being significantly less bike traffic in these darker hours. This, once again, underscores the need for better bike infrastructure in the state, as well as the value of bike lights and high-visibility riding gear.
• Failure to Yield – One especially alarming statistic is that more than 1 of every five bicycle crashes stems from a driver failing to properly yield the right of way to an oncoming bicycle. The sheer number of drivers who simply don’t understand the roadway rights of cyclists is a danger to anyone who gets on a bike.Remember: a driver’s ignorance of basic traffic laws is not, in any way, a valid defense for breaking those laws. You can pursue damages from a driver who has injured you by failing to yield to you and your bicycle, regardless of whether they intended any malfeasance or whether they even saw you at all.
• Busy Intersections – Most motor vehicle accidents occur in intersections, at low speeds, and bicycles are by no means immune to this danger. Bicyclists, like motorcycle operators, can even consider themselves especially at risk in busy intersections because even a slow-moving car can result in devastating injuries to a cyclist equipped with basic light riding gear.

This wide variety of underlying accident causes results in an equally diverse range of potential injuries. Bicyclists who have been harmed by a car, truck, motorcycle, other bicycle, or roadway hazard may experience one or more of the following types of injuries:

• Head Injuries. We can further break head injuries down into several sub-categories when talking about bike accidents. Cyclists can be at risk of suffering concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries, in addition to surface-level abrasions and contusions on the head and face. Always riding with a well-fitted, high-quality bike helmet can significantly reduce a cyclist’s risk of these types of injuries.
• Broken Bones. Fractures are another common result of serious bicycle accidents and can occur basically anywhere in the body, depending on the details of the accident in question. Whether the bones were broken during the initial collision or after the rider was thrown from their bike can have an impact on the types of fractures that occur.Arms, wrists, and collarbones are of particular concern in the latter scenario, as they can get badly damaged by the cyclist trying to break their fall.
• Road Rash – Like motorcyclists, bicyclists are also at risk of the common abrasion injury known as road rash. Road rash typically occurs when a rider is thrown from their bike, or knocked over with their bike, and then skids along the road, causing injuries that can range from superficial-but-painful to serious tissue damage.
• Neck and Spine Injuries – Spinal cord injuries can range from aggravated discs and compression injuries to spinal fractures and catastrophic impact damage that results in severe, long-term physical and neurological consequences. In extreme instances, spinal paralysis can result.

If you’re unsure whether your bicycle accident injury would qualify for a personal injury claim (or if you know you’ve been wrongfully injured and are ready to start the process of seeking recompense), please reach out to Berenson & Associates, PC for an informative, no-obligation consultation. We can take on the heavy lifting of a legal battle while you recover from your injuries.

FAQs

Q: Who Is Usually At-Fault if a Bicycle Is Involved in an Accident?

A: There is no such thing as a “typical” or “average” accident, as every bicycle crash–and every related injury–is going to be a unique scenario with its own unique factors. That being said, a significant percentage of bicycle accidents can be traced back to distracted drivers and drivers who fail to properly yield to bicycles. New Mexico is not a “no-fault” state when it comes to traffic accidents, so determining the responsible party will be a key part of the proceedings.

Q: Can You Claim Damages After Being in a Bicycle Accident?

A: Yes, if you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you may be able to claim damages so long as you are able to prove that someone else was responsible for your injury. When disputes arise as to who was responsible for a bicycle accident, the personal injury team at Berenson & Associates, PC can help you gather all the evidence and present it effectively, setting a clear path for you to seek justice and restitution from whoever injured you.

Q: How Much Do Accident Attorneys Charge in NM?

A: The exact cost of legal representation in any scenario–including bicycle accident cases–will be determined by factors such as the complexity of your case, whether it gets resolved through negotiation or trial, the current market conditions for legal services in your city, as well as your attorney’s skill level.

Sometimes, when a personal injury case is likely to result in a significant payout, law firms may be willing to work on a contingency fee basis, where they are paid as a percentage of the settlement amount after proceedings have concluded.

Q: What Happens When You Have a Bike Accident?

A: After you are involved in a bicycle accident, you should immediately see a healthcare professional for your medical needs. It is not uncommon for serious injuries to present a day or two after the incident, so it is recommended to get checked out even if you feel fine. This will also help ensure any medical costs are covered by the at-fault party if there is an injury. Contacting an attorney should be another early step.

Berenson & Associates, PC – Powerful Legal Assistance for Santa Fe Bicycle Accident Victims

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident or if a loved one has been wrongfully killed while riding their bicycle, it is important to seek quality legal guidance from a skilled Santa Fe bicycle accident lawyer. Our world-class attorneys and highly knowledgeable support staff at Berenson & Associates, PC, are committed to handling bicycle accidents and other complex personal injury claims on behalf of injured Santa Fe residents and their families.

Our track record of success securing favorable outcomes for injured clients speaks for itself, but we would be happy to discuss our services further in the form of a confidential, no-pressure consultation. Please contact us at your convenience so we can begin the process of helping you move beyond your bicycle accident.