Vancouver Bike and Cycling Lawyers
We know about bike accidents. Lawyer Renn A. Holness has been prosecuting bicycle injury cases in the Supreme Court of British Columbia and Court of Appeal since 1995. Caring and compassionate, we will always act on behalf of the cyclist and work with family members and guardians to ensure the best results possible.
The bicycle has become an important part of a healthy lifestyle in British Columbia so it is ironic that it is still more dangerous than driving. Bike lanes in Vancouver and other regions as well as the use of helmets have greatly reduced crashes, and serious head and brain injuries. Negligent and careless drivers still however cause serious injury contributing to over 4000 bicycle injuries in Canada every year.
Getting a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The first priority after a bicycle accident is survival. Reporting your cycling collision to ICBC and other authorities may not be your top priority but it is a requirement if you require accident benefits or expect to make a claim against the at fault driver. Failure to properly comply with reporting and claim requirements could result in the loss of thousands of dollars in compensation or complete loss of a claim.
A bicycle accident lawyer will know what to do to protect your legal rights so you can focus on the things that matter to you. Your report and statement to ICBC, the police, or other insurers will have far reaching consequences in your claim. Do not blindly sign forms and statements before speaking with an experienced lawyer in cycling accident injury claims. We can take this added stress away from you.
Level the playing field in your bicycle personal injury claim against ICBC or other insurance companies by getting a legal advocate to protect your best interest.
About Bicycle Accident Law In British Columbia
We have experience applying biking law to cases involving accident injury. Here is a checklist of bicycling rules of the road and legislation unique to British Columbia:
- A person operating a bicycle on a roadway has the same rights and duties as a driver of a vehicle.
- A cyclist must not operate the vehicle on a sidewalk unless posted.
- A bicycle travelling at below the normal speed of traffic must keep to the right.
- A helmet is a legal requirement.
- A cyclist in a collision will be found negligent for not wearing a helmet only if the evidence proves that its use would have reduced the head or brain injury.
- Failure to wear protective clothing is sometimes used to defend a claim but it is difficult to prove the use of other clothing would have reduced the injury.
- S. 183(2) of the Motor Vehicle Act, which requires a bicycle to ride as near as practicable to the right side of the road, does not authorize riding between two lanes of travel.
- Bicycling accident injuries occurring off road are treated differently.
- Cyclist must yield to pedestrians crossing the street, and to buses when they are leaving a stop.
- A warning bell is required.
- Front and rear lights on your bicycle after dark are mandatory.
- It is illegal to cycle in a crosswalk unless authorized by a sign or bylaw.
- Bicycles are a legitimate and accepted form of transportation and cyclists have a legal right to safe riding conditions.
Anyone with a passing knowledge of cycling and driving can appreciate that in certain situations a cyclist can safely perform manoeuvres that are prohibited under legislation. The breaching of a statutory duty is not proof of negligence and a bicycle accident lawyer will be able to properly apply the law to the facts of your case.
Knowledge, experience, and training is important to the success of your personal injury claim so stop coasting and get us working for you.
