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Can You Sue the Government After a Bicycle Accident?

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Due to their relatively narrow tires, common road hazards can present big problems for bicycles. Bicycle accidents resulting in serious injuries can be caused by changes in road surfaces, debris in the road, railroad tracks, sewer grates, and potholes, among other road hazards. When a known road hazard causes a bicycle accident, the governmental entity responsible for maintenance of the road may be liable for injuries resulting from that accident.

Several agencies have paid settlements to bicycle accident victims, including the Washington State Department of Transportation. The DOT awarded an $8 million settlement to a man who suffered a spinal cord injury, and resulting quadriplegia, as the result of a bicycle accident on the Montlake Bridge. The man claimed that the inch-wide gap in a section of metal grating that caused his accident had previously caused an accident.

Common Road Hazards and Negligence

Governmental agencies may be liable for bicycle accidents caused by potholes, if the entity was aware of the hazard and the pothole was caused by improper or insufficient road maintenance. Conversely, if a pothole has only been present for a short time, the public entity may not be liable.

Likewise, improperly installed sewer grates can pose dangers for bicyclists, and be a case for negligence. Most governmental agencies try to install sewer grates opposing the flow of traffic to prevent bicycle tires from becoming stuck in them. Covering them with crosshatches or changing their shapes are other means of keeping bicycle tires from becoming ensnared in sewer grates.

If the roadway crosses railroad tracks at an angle or curve, bicycle wheels can easily become stuck in the space between the road and the track. Bicyclists should be warned with signs about precarious crossings, or an alternate bike path could be provided. In cases where tracks are no longer in use, the appropriate public entity should remove or cover the tracks.

To determine negligence for a bicycle accident caused by a road hazard, the plaintiff must give proof that the governmental agency responsible for that particular section of road was conscious of the threat. The services of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney may be required to successfully accomplish this.

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5 Lawsuits Filed Against AbbVie for Dangerous ‘Low T’ Drugs

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Testosterone enhancing drugs are facing intense scrutiny after claims of heart attacks and strokes have increased. The FDA has already begun an investigation into the heart and stroke dangers of testosterone enhancing drugs after two recent studies raised concerns.

In November 2013, the Journal of the American Medical Association found that when men without a history of heart disease used testosterone drugs, their risk of death from heart attack or stroke increased by 29%. A separate study also found that men with a history of heart disease were also at an increased risk.

AndroGel Users File Suit

Now 5 men who allege that they suffered heart attacks or strokes after using AndroGel have filed separate lawsuits against Abbott Laboratories and their spinoff AbbVie. In particular, three of the five men suffered heart attacks, one suffered a stroke, and one suffered a mini-stroke after using the ‘Low T’ drug AndroGel.

In addition to causing heart attacks and strokes, testosterone-enhancing drugs have also been known to cause enlarged prostates, enlarged breasts, sleep apnea, and blood clots.

These Drugs Are Unnecessary For Most

Even more concerning is the fact that the majority of men do not even need these drugs. A gradual decline in testosterone is a part of the aging process—it is a fact of life. Yet these testosterone-enhancing drugs have only been approved for treating medical conditions, such as the failure of the testicles to produce testosterone due to genetic issues or as a side effect of chemotherapy. Being used to simply treat low testosterone levels has not been approved.

Yet even with multiple warnings and increased scrutiny, low-T drugs are on the rise. IMS Health said that sales of their testosterone drugs grew by 90% over the past 5 years and reached $1.9 billion in sales in 2011 alone. AndroGel itself reported $1.15 billion in 2012 sales and is now AbbVie’s second best-selling drug. Experts estimate that by 2017, the testosterone market will hit $5 billion.

Contact National Dangerous Drug Attorneys

Men who have experienced adverse side effects, heart attacks, or strokes after using a testosterone-enhancing drug may be able to file a lawsuit. Our experienced defective drug lawyers have represented families across the country in their quest for justice. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our AndroGel lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

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