Angel Fire Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Angel Fire Bicycle Accident Attorney

Everyone deserves to feel safe on the roads, including bicyclists. If you have been involved in an accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the financial, physical, and emotional damages you have experienced in connection with your accident. Hiring an Angel Fire bicycle accident lawyer can help you build a strong case and pursue your desired outcomes, as well as the justice you deserve.

An Overview of Bicycle Rights, Accidents, and Claims in Angel Fire, New Mexico

Bicyclists are given the same rights and responsibilities as any other motorist in New Mexico. However, recent driving law changes mean that they are now allowed to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs, as long as it is safe and no other traffic must be yielded to. If you have been injured in an accident, you can benefit from the help of an Angel Fire bicycle accident lawyer.

According to one study, roughly 1,000 bicyclists die every year in motor vehicle accidents.  Bicyclists also accounted for 2.2% of all traffic fatalities in the United States. 

In the state of New Mexico, driving laws follow a fault-based system, which means that the negligent party’s insurance will need to cover any economic damages the victim in the accident has experienced in connection to the event, such as lost wages, medical bills, and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering. 

Bicyclist Rights & Responsibilities in New Mexico

Since bicyclists share the road with cars and other vehicles, it is crucial that everyone involved operates with caution, adheres to the law, and remains aware of their surroundings. Riding a bicycle can increase your level of risk due to the lack of safety and protection when compared to cars. 

Still, you have every right to be on the road, and one of the ways you can protect yourself is to know your rights and responsibilities as a bicyclist in New Mexico. Here are some examples:

• You are sharing the roadway: Since New Mexico considers bicyclists to be vehicles, you must obey all traffic laws, signals, and roadway rules. This can include stopping at red lights and stop signs.
• You can apply the “Idaho Stop” law: While this may appear to contradict the previous statement, cyclists may treat a stop sign as a yield sign and a red light as a stop sign as long as they have ensured that it is safe to do so, and it will not endanger others. 
• The law enforces the duty of care principle: Drivers are also responsible for the safety of bicyclists on the road. They are legally required to treat cyclists as legitimate vehicles, keeping a proper lookout for them and doing everything they reasonably can to avoid collisions. 

The Fault-Based System

New Mexico uses a comparative fault system. This means that fault can be attributed to multiple parties after an accident occurs. If you fail to operate your vehicle or bicycle reasonably and in accordance with state driving laws, you may be considered negligent and be held responsible for an accident. 

This can result in the at-fault driver’s insurance having to pay the injured cyclist’s economic damages, which can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. 

What to Do After an Accident in New Mexico

Getting in a bicycling accident can be incredibly overwhelming, but it can be helpful to carry out the following steps:

• Contact local law enforcement: You should notify the police after an accident occurs. This can help you document what happened and provide additional assistance in managing the situation post-accident.
• Gather evidence: If you are not injured and it is safe to do so, try to gather evidence, such as videos, police reports, photos, medical bills, and witness information. Be sure to get the information of anyone involved in the accident, too. 
• Consult an attorney: Hiring an attorney can help you understand your rights, as well as evaluate your case and file your claim. 

Why Should I Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer near Angel Fire, New Mexico?

When you hire a bicycle accident lawyer, you can receive the representation and guidance you need. One of the benefits of having a lawyer already handling your case is that, should the need arise, you have someone who can help you prepare and present your case in the New Mexico civil court system. If you are in Angel Fire, your case will likely be carried out at the Colfax County District Courthouse. 

FAQs

Q: How Large a Settlement Will I Get in My Bicycle Accident Case in New Mexico?

A: The amount of compensation you may get out of your bicycle accident case tends to vary in the state of New Mexico. This is often due to the unique variables that can influence your case, such as the severity of your injuries and/or property damage, the amount of lost wages and/or opportunities, and the overall amount of suffering and pain that you may experience.

Q: Should I Tell My Bicycle Accident Lawyer Everything in New Mexico?

A: Yes, you should tell your bicycle accident lawyer everything when you pursue an accident claim in New Mexico. It is always better for your lawyer to be fully informed, even when you feel the information does not matter or does not cast you in a good light. If your lawyer is fully informed, they can prepare accordingly. 

Q: Can I Represent Myself in My Bicycle Accident Case in New Mexico?

A: It is legal for you to represent yourself in a bicycle accident claim in New Mexico, but many individuals have found that hiring a bicycle accident lawyer to represent them can increase the likelihood of success in their case, as well as clarity and peace of mind. An experienced lawyer can make a difference in your case.

Q: How Long Will My Bicycle Accident Claim Take to Reach a Settlement in New Mexico?

A: There are many different variables that may influence the amount of time your bicycle accident case requires, including the availability of other parties involved and, if the need should arise, the schedule of your local courthouse. The complexity of your case can also play a significant role in the overall timeline of your claim. 

Get More Information Today

Contact Youngers Law, PA, today to schedule a consultation, and let us help you sort out your bicycle accident claim.