If you have suffered an injury in a bicycle accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation if you can prove that someone else was to blame for what happened. In a bicycle accident lawsuit, evidence is the key. If you do not have it, you do not win. However, you are neither an experienced investigator, nor are you in the position to do much for your case when you are dealing with a physical injury.
Therefore, it is essential that you consult with an experienced New Hampshire bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after you have suffered an injury. There is available evidence that you may need to prove your case, which can be lost or removed shortly after the accident. If you do not gather this evidence before it is lost forever, you can lose the ability to prove fault in your lawsuit. A bicycle accident attorney in Nashua, NH will work to gather this evidence in an investigation, and they can begin as soon as you hire them.
Who Are Defendants in a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit?
In a bicycle accident lawsuit, the defendants are typically the parties whose negligence or misconduct contributed to the crash. Common defendants include motor vehicle drivers who struck the cyclist, commercial entities such as delivery companies if their employee caused the accident, and government agencies responsible for unsafe road conditions or poor signage. In some cases, bike manufacturers may be held liable for defective equipment, or property owners may be held liable if hazardous conditions on private land played a role. Identifying the correct defendants is necessary for securing full compensation, which is why legal guidance is recommended after a serious bike accident.
Establishing Fault in a Bike Accident
Establishing fault in a bike accident is critical for determining liability and securing compensation for injuries and damages. Like motor vehicle accidents, bike crashes are often assessed based on negligence, meaning one party failed to exercise reasonable care, leading to the collision. Fault can lie with a driver, cyclist, pedestrian, or even a third party like a municipality responsible for road maintenance. You need to demonstrate negligence by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning that it is more likely than not that the facts that you allege in your bicycle accident case are true. If you do not meet your burden of proof, you will not be eligible for any financial compensation for your injuries.
To establish fault, evidence is key. This includes police reports, eyewitness statements, traffic camera footage, accident scene photos, and medical records. If a driver hits a cyclist while violating traffic laws—such as running a red light, failing to yield, or distracted driving—they are likely at fault. You may have difficulty doinig anything physical to investigate the accident in the days afterward when you are dealing with your injuries and receiving medical treatment. This is where a motorcycle accident attorney becomes invaluable.
You May Be Blamed for the Motorcycle Accident
The insurance company may try to blame you for the accident entirely or in part. In New Hampshire, you may not be able to receive compensation for the accident if you are partly to blame for what happened. Or, the compensation you receive can be reduced by the proportion of fault you bear. Thus, it is vital that you hire a motorcycle accident attorney to fight the insurance company claims that you are at fault for what happened in any way. They will ensure you are not unfairly blamed.
You do not have to accept blame for the accident if the characterization and allegations are not correct. With the help of a bike accident lawyer, you can push back against the insurance company. You can either continue to negotiate with them about fault as part of the settlement process. If the insurance company will not budge or they will not be reasonable, you always have the ability to take your case all the way to trial, where a jury will decide fault for the case.
How a Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help You
After a bike accident, a personal injury lawyer can be a crucial advocate to protect your rights and pursue fair compensation. Cyclists are especially vulnerable to serious injuries, and insurance companies may try to downplay your claims or even shift the blame onto you. A skilled New Hampshire attorney can step in to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and establish liability, ensuring that the true cause of the crash is documented and that you are not unfairly held responsible.
Your lawyer will handle communications with insurance companies, negotiate for maximum compensation, and, if needed, file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. They can help you recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and long-term care if your injuries are severe.
Additionally, a personal injury attorney understands how to navigate local laws and deadlines that apply to bike accidents. With professional legal support, you’ll have someone fighting to ensure your recovery—physically, emotionally, and financially—is prioritized.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, the statute of limitations for filing a bicycle accident lawsuit aligns with the general personal injury timeline: you have three years from the date of the accident to initiate legal action. This means, if you suffered an injury while cycling, you typically must file your claim by three years after the crash date—otherwise, your right to sue may be lost.
However, if your injury wasn’t immediately apparent—like a delayed brain, spinal, or soft tissue injury—the “discovery rule” may apply. Under this rule, the limitations period begins when you first discover—or reasonably should have discovered—the injury and its connection to the accident, not necessarily on the crash date.
Special rules apply if you were a minor at the time of the accident. In such cases, the statute of limitations is tolled until the day you turn 18, and then you have up to two years from your 18th birthday to file.
Contact A New Hampshire Bike Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been stuck on a bicycle, you should always contact a trusted New Hampshire accident injury lawyer. They will assess your case and help you understand your rights and next steps. Don’t delay, an attorney can maximize the compensation you receive.