Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Providence

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident that someone else caused, turn to Bottaro Law for help pursuing the financial compensation you need for your injuries, medical bills, lost income, and other losses. Our firm provides full-service representation to accident victims in the greater Providence area and throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We pride ourselves on our skill, experience, and commitment to our clients.

Contact us today for a case review with a bicycle accident lawyer in Providence. Initial consultations are free. We work on a contingency basis, which means we collect a fee only after we secure compensation for you. There’s no risk in letting us help you demand the money and justice you’re owed.

How We Help Providence Bike Accident Victims Seek Maximum Compensation

At Bottaro Law, our dedicated Providence bicycle accident attorneys help clients pursue full financial recovery by:

• Recovering evidence during a thorough investigation of the accident
• Identifying the parties who should be held liable to compensate you as well as options for compensation, such as applicable insurance policies
• Calculating your past, ongoing, and future losses so we can demand full compensation on your behalf
• Aggressively pursuing the best possible outcome in your case, either through a negotiated settlement or by taking your claims to court and trial if necessary

Rhode Island Laws Protecting Bicyclists

Some of the most important Rhode Island laws designed to keep bicyclists safe include:

• R.I. Gen. Laws §31-15-18 (safe passing law) – State law requires motorists to pass a bicyclist on the left at a sufficient distance to avoid hitting the bicyclist. Alternatively, if legal, motorists can move fully over to the adjacent left lane to pass a bicyclist in the rightmost lane. Motorists may drive to the left of the lane’s center to pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction as the motorist, so long as the opposing lane is not obstructed for a sufficient distance to allow the motorist to safely pass a bicyclist and avoid interfering with oncoming traffic. 
• R.I. Gen. Laws §31-22-30; 31-22-11.8; 31-22-11.9; 31-23-51 (distracted driving laws) – These statutes make it unlawful for drivers to use cell phones to read, write, or send text messages while operating a motor vehicle. Minors and school bus drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone in any fashion while operating a motor vehicle, except in an emergency. Both motorists and bicyclists are prohibited from wearing earphones or headsets while on the road. 
• R.I. Gen. Laws §31-21-14 (dooring law) – Any occupant of a motor vehicle parked or stopped on a street, road, or highway must not open their door unless safe to do so, such that it will not interfere with traffic, including bicycles. Vehicle doors should also be left open only as long as necessary to load or unload goods or passengers. 
• R.I. Gen. Laws §31-1-3; 31-19-3 (bicycles treated as vehicles) – Under Rhode Island law, bicycles are included within the legal definition of a vehicle. Bicyclists have all the rights and duties of a driver of a motor vehicle, except where contradicted by regulations specific to bicycles or where a legal provision logically would have no application to bicycles. 

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Providence

Many bike accidents in Providence are the result of driver negligence, such as:

Common Injuries in Providence Bike Accidents

Because bicyclists are completely exposed in the event of a collision, they can suffer serious injuries, including:

What Kind of Compensation Could I Receive?

Depending on the circumstances of your bicycle accident case, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation for losses, including:

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses and costs of long-term care if you sustained permanent disabilities
• Lost or reduced income or earning capacity if you cannot return to your old job or work in general
• Pain and suffering
• Lost enjoyment and quality of life
• Repair costs for your bike or reimbursement for the value of your bike if it was destroyed

What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?

Rhode Island requires only bicycle riders under 15 to wear a helmet. Moreover, Rhode Island’s bike helmet law expressly states that the failure to wear a helmet cannot be considered a contributor to comparative negligence and may not be introduced into evidence in any civil action. As a result, whether you were wearing a helmet at the time of a bike accident in Providence cannot affect your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.

Wrongful Death Claims for Fatal Providence Bicycle Accidents

The family of a bicyclist who is killed in a Providence bike accident might be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim against a driver or other party who caused the accident. A wrongful death claim may be initiated by the administrator or executor of a decedent’s estate within the first six months of their death. After that, any of the decedent’s beneficiaries may file a wrongful death claim on behalf of all beneficiaries. Wrongful death lawsuits must be filed no later than three years following the decedent’s passing.

A wrongful death claim may entitle surviving family members to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses incurred because of the bicyclist’s fatal injuries
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of the decedent’s income and financial contributions to the family
• Loss of services the decedent provided to the household
• Conscious pain and suffering experienced by the decedent before death
• Loss of the decedent’s care, companionship, and guidance

Contact Our Skilled Providence Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today

Don’t wait to get started on a legal claim to pursue compensation for the harm you’ve suffered because of a bike accident that wasn’t your fault. Reach out to Bottaro Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable Providence bicycle accident attorneys.