Bristol Bicycle Lawyer

Whether you’re a recreational cyclist or a professional rider, your bike ride can turn disastrous in a matter of seconds. As a Bristol bicycle accident lawyer in Bristol, Rhode Island, Attorney David Tapalian has helped hundreds of victims get justice for their injuries by assisting them in recovering compensation. If you have suffered from a bike accident that wasn’t your fault, contact Tapalian Law today for a free consultation.

As you may know, bicyclist safety in Bristol has become a growing concern for local residents. Bicyclists in the community have been contacting Bristol Township board members for years about the poor visibility for drivers at bike path intersections, and more bicycle accidents have happened in the city than you would think. The East Bay Bike Path in Bristol, Rhode Island is right in the heart of the busy Poppasquash Road, which has oncoming cars coming from both directions. Many cars do not stop at the intersection of the road and the bike bath, or even look both ways for bicyclists. The danger of riding a bike on this bike path was proven when a 6 year old bike rider was fatally hit at the intersection. The family of this child will never get to see the boy grow up, all because of a negligent driver.

No family should ever have to endure the horrible tragedy of losing a child in a bicycle crash. Unfortunately, Bristol Bicycle Accident Attorney David Tapalian has seen tragic accidents like this one in Bristol before. Thankfully, the authorities have taken notice to the dangers of riding a bicycle in Bristol. There have been state and local efforts to put stop signs at the intersections of bike paths in Bristol, as well as increase visibility of bicyclists in the area. Other community members, such as Bristol students and teachers at Mount Hope High School have started an initiative to get three-dimensional crosswalks to stop motorists from hitting oncoming bicyclists.

Even with all the efforts of the Bristol community to make travel for cyclists safer for riders, accidents still happen all too frequently. In the event that you are affected by a bicycle accident in Bristol, there are a number of necessary steps that you need to take to ensure that you have the strongest case possible against the at-fault party. Bristol Bicycle Accident Lawyer David Tapalian can personally analyze all the details of your case to ensure that you have the strongest plan of action moving forward. Further, Attorney Tapalian can negotiate with the insurance companies to ensure that you receive a fair settlement.

In Rhode Island, bicycles are legally considered “vehicles”, owed the same duty of care as other cars and trucks on the road. This means that when changing lanes, crossing an intersection, or making turns, motor vehicle operators should be aware of bicyclists and treat them as any other vehicle. In the case of the 6 year old child killed by an oncoming car, the driver of the car was found fully at fault, because had she been alert and attentive, she would have seen the child, and provided him with the right of way that he legally was entitled to. If she had been driving more competently, the child would still be with us today. Because of the Rhode Island legislation that deems bicycles the same rights as cars on the road, bicyclists can file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance, and the proceeding is very similar to that of a car accident. However, there are many other confusing aspects of bike accident cases and proving liability. Instead of making a costly mistake that could cost you compensation for your injuries, consult Bristol Bike Accident Lawyer David Tapalian for assistance. For more information on the basics of a bicycle accident case, click here.

Attorney David Tapalian has decades of experience dealing with bicycle accident cases in Bristol and has a dedicated team of legal experts to help make your situation less stressful, so you can focus on recovery. We will guide you through the correct procedures to move forward with your claim and can create a plan to strengthen your case to make sure you have the greatest chance of receiving full compensation. Even if you suffered severe injuries in a bike accident and cannot come to our office in downtown Providence, our legal experts can even visit you in your home or at the hospital for your consultation. Bristol Bicycle Accident lawyer David Tapalian will work with you personally and directly on your claim to make sure all your bases are covered. However, there is a 3-year statute of limitations on filing a bicycle accident claim in Rhode island, and the longer you wait, the harder it is to recover your losses from the incident. Call Tapalian Law today or contact us online to set up a free consultation.