Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Nova Scotia Helping Victims Get Compensation

Many Nova Scotians are increasingly opting for cycling as a means of transportation. No wonder. Bicycles offer beautiful views, no traffic jams and lots of exercise.

Cycling has risks. As a cyclist you are a vulnerable road user, meaning that if you get hit by a motor vehicle, it will hurt you more than the vehicle. Because bicycles most often share the road with cars, trucks, and motorcycles, collisions can and do happen. Unfortunately, many collisions are caused by negligence, which means they were foreseeable and could have been avoided had someone taken more care.

If you have been in a collision, you should seek legal representation right away. You may be entitled to compensation. The bicycle accident lawyers at McKiggan Hebert are here to help.

What Does the Law Say About Cycling in Nova Scotia?

The law that regulates drivers and cyclists in Nova Scotia is the Motor Vehicle Act. This act lays out the rules of the road for car drivers and bicyclists alike. Some of the many rules relevant to cyclists in Nova Scotia are:

• Drivers of motor vehicles must not drive within marked bicycle lanes.
• Drivers must not park motor vehicles within marked bicycle lanes.
• Drivers must not pass a cyclist who is riding with the flow of traffic unless there is enough space to do so safely and the motor vehicle must stay at least 1 meter from the cyclist at all times.
• Drivers are legally permitted to cross a center line in order to pass a cyclist safely.
• Cyclists must always ride in marked bicycle lanes if there are any unless it is impractical to do so, such as when there is an object parked in the bike lane.
• If no bicycle lane is available, cyclists must ride as far to the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable or on the right-hand shoulder.
• Cyclists must ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic.
• Cyclists must not ride a bicycle on a sidewalk.
• All cyclists must wear certified safety helmets which must be fastened under the rider’s chin. Cyclists who do not wear a helmet can have their bicycles seized by law enforcement for 30 days.
• Cyclists cannot have another person riding on the bicycle unless it is built for two.
• Cyclists must not hitch or latch their bicycle to a car while riding.
• Cyclists cannot ride a bicycle hands-free or feet-free or do tricks or “fancy moves” while riding on a highway.
• Cyclists must obey stop signs.

These rules are important and have the force of law. They are designed to keep everyone safer. When a road user fails to follow the rules, accidents can occur. Road users, including cyclists, who violate these rules and who become injured may be partly to blame for their injuries. This may lead to a reduction in the amount of compensation they would otherwise be entitled to if their behavior contributed to the incident. You can always contact our Personal Injury Attorneys in Halifax for a help.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Get For Bicycle Accident Injuries?

If you are a bicyclist who has been injured in Nova Scotia by a negligent road user you are entitled to compensation for your current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Even if the incident was totally or partly your fault you may be entitled to compensation.

Regardless of whether or not you were at fault for a collision, you may be able to recover what is referred to as “no fault” or “Section B” benefits if a motor vehicle was involved in the incident. As a cyclist, you may own an insured vehicle and your own insurance company would pay the Section B benefits to you even though your vehicle was not involved in the collision. If you have no auto insurance, the no fault benefits are paid by the insurance company that insures the vehicle that was involved.

Under Section B of the applicable insurance policy, you will receive compensation for medical expenses incurred while treating your bicycle accident injuries up to $50,000 or more. You will also be entitled to receive up to $250 per week to compensate you for wages you have lost as a result of your injuries. This benefit is only available to bicyclists with injuries that have affected their ability to work and earn an income. If you are a family member who’s loved one has died in a collision, death benefits are also available.

Schedule A Free Consultation With Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Have you been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver? Contact McKiggan Hebert today if you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Nova Scotia. Let us fight for you. You’ll get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation regarding your case, call us today at (902) 423-2050 or fill out the form on this website.