Like most other areas of the Volunteer State, Murfreesboro is not known for being an especially bicycle-friendly city in terms of bicyclist infrastructure or legal protections for bike crash victims. Unfortunately, this means that riders must be extra cautious—and even then, a single reckless or careless act by a motor vehicle driver could lead to a collision with life-altering consequences.
Thankfully, bicyclists have the right to file suit over personal injuries caused by the negligence of others, and an experienced personal injury attorney can help. A Murfreesboro bicycle accident lawyer from Ponce Law can provide the dedicated representation you need to obtain every cent of the compensation you deserve.
If you can prove that misconduct by a motor vehicle driver—or by a third party such as a bicycle manufacturer, a local mechanic, or a government entity responsible for road maintenance—was the main and direct cause of your recent bicycle crash, you can hold them financially accountable for the harm resulting from your crash-related injuries. This can include, but is not strictly limited to:
However, it is important to note that Tennessee Code § 29-39-102 generally caps recovery for non-economic damages such as physical pain and emotional anguish at $750,000 or at $1,000,000 if the case revolves around a “catastrophic loss or injury” as defined in the statute. Our Murfreesboro bicycle accident attorneys can help maximize the amount of compensation available to you while navigating these and other procedural restrictions.
One restriction worth knowing about when filing a lawsuit over a bike wreck is Tennessee’s “modified comparative fault” system. Courts can assign percentages of fault to personal injury plaintiffs based on the degree to which the plaintiff contributed to causing their own injuries through their own negligence. They reduce the value of that plaintiff’s final damage award—or potentially deny them compensation entirely—based on that percentage.
Furthermore, TN Code § 28-3-104 grants most people injured through the negligence of others just one year to file suit after initially sustaining injury. This is a short time frame compared to what almost all other states allow, so contacting a local lawyer should be a top priority if you have suffered a bike-related injury in Murfreesboro.
Bicyclists have many of the same responsibilities and all the same rights on roads as motor vehicle drivers do. Nevertheless, negligent drivers can cause serious injury to bicyclists through inattention, traffic violations, or even outright aggressive and malicious behavior.
If you were injured by a driver’s misconduct while riding your bike, a Murfreesboro bicycle accident lawyer from our team can help you seek civil recovery. Contact us today to get started on your claim.
