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Bicyclists in Memphis face real dangers every time they ride. Despite efforts to improve bike infrastructure and raise awareness, drivers frequently fail to share the road responsibly. When a motorist’s negligence causes a crash, injured bicyclists have the right to pursue a personal injury claim, but proving driver negligence is essential to recovering compensation.
At The Gold Law Firm, our Shelby County personal injury lawyers help injured cyclists throughout Tennessee hold negligent drivers accountable and fight for the justice and financial recovery they deserve.
What Is Considered Driver Negligence During a Memphis Bicycle Accident?
Negligence, in legal terms, means that someone failed to act with reasonable care under the circumstances. For motorists, this includes obeying traffic laws, staying alert, and watching out for more vulnerable road users, especially bicyclists.
Common examples of driver negligence that lead to bicycle accidents include:
- Failing to yield to a cyclist at an intersection or crosswalk.
- Opening a car door into a cyclist’s path is called “dooring.”
- Making unsafe turns or lane changes.
- Following too closely or passing without enough clearance.
- Driving distracted, including texting or using GPS.
- Running red lights or stop signs.
- Speeding or aggressive driving in residential or urban areas.
Any of these actions can cause serious, life-altering injuries to a cyclist. However, you must show how the driver’s negligence directly caused the crash to recover damages.
Gathering Evidence to Prove Fault After a Memphis Bicycle Accident
Proving negligence requires clear, compelling evidence. Our attorneys work quickly to investigate bicycle accident scenes in Memphis and collect information.
That may include, but is not limited to:
- Police reports documenting the accident and any citations issued to the driver.
- Eyewitness statements from bystanders or other motorists.
- Traffic camera or surveillance footage that may have captured the incident.
- Photos of the scene, including vehicle damage, bike damage, road conditions, and injuries.
- Expert testimony from accident reconstruction and traffic safety experts.
- Medical records that link the crash to your injuries.
We also assess the driver’s history, including past traffic violations, DUI arrests, or patterns of reckless behavior.
Comparative Fault in Tennessee
Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as you are less than 50% responsible. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame to the bicyclist, claiming the rider wasn’t wearing visible clothing, didn’t signal properly, or wasn’t in a designated bike lane. Our job is to push back against these tactics and build a strong case in your favor.
Why You Need a Local Memphis Bicycle Accident Attorney
Proving negligence in bicycle accident cases requires a detailed understanding of Tennessee law, traffic regulations, and the local roadways where these crashes occur. Our attorneys at The Gold Law Firm are deeply familiar with the intersections and corridors in Memphis where bicycle accidents are most common, such as Union Avenue, Poplar Avenue, and the Shelby Farms Greenline area.
Contact The Gold Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle crash caused by a negligent driver, don’t wait to take legal action. Call or text (901) 244-5003 The Gold Law Firm or contact us online for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight to recover the compensation you deserve. You don’t pay unless we win.