HIRING THE RIGHT BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IS ESSENTIAL.

BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS 

Injured By a Negligent Driver While Riding Your Bike?

You may be entitled to significant compensation.

Brain trauma is one of the leading causes of injuries or deaths related to bicycle crashes. Children are required to wear a helmet when riding bikes. Adults should also wear helmets.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission found that over half (54%) of the people killed in bicycle accidents were not wearing helmets. A meta-analysis of injuries from bike crashes found that wearing helmets reduced the risk of brain injuries by 48%, severe brain injuries by 60%, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) by 53%, and facial injuries by 23%. Although drivers should carefully glance at bicyclists or pedestrians before turning around or entering the roadway, most bicycling crashes occur when a driver looks but fails to see the bicyclist.

Studies have shown that wearing gear or fluorescent clothes makes you more visible and less likely to get hit by a car. Wear reflective gear at night or early morning and bright colors while riding in daylight. Doing so will make you stand out for other drivers and reduce the risk of getting hurt. Finally, attach a bike light to the bike, and ensure that the bicycle has headlights at night or in the early morning hours and several lights.
Always keep an eye on the surroundings. Motor vehicles are only sometimes looking out for bicyclists, so make sure you know traffic patterns while biking.

Consider wearing a smartwatch or another device that allows you to call for help if you are injured and cannot get your phone. It can be an intimidating and, if you are injured, traumatic experience. You should first evaluate any injuries you may have and attempt to walk away from the roadway if possible. The last thing you want is to get struck by a second car, and sadly, we have seen cases where this happens once you make it safely to the curb; dial 911 to report the crash and request an ambulance to treat your injuries.

Even if they seem minor at the moment, it is good to have them checked by a professional. In some crashes, injuries may be far worse than they initially appear, and they might not start showing symptoms for hours or days afterward. If a medical professional suggests you visit the hospital for a more thorough assessment, follow their recommendation. Ideally, the driver who struck you would have stopped safely, gotten out, and checked on you. They should call for help if you cannot and remain with you until first responders arrive.

You can use this time to swap contacts and insurance information for later. Fortunately, that is how it goes most of the time, but we sometimes see “hit-and-run” scenarios. In cases where a car drives away, try to obtain a license plate number, or take notes on how the vehicle looks so that you can report it to authorities later. Every crash is different, but there are certain situations we often see in bike crashes.

The bicycle is crossing in front of the car. Note this is not necessarily the cyclist’s fault, though being aware of the surroundings and checking the vehicles is recommended. However, there are plenty of situations where a rider has a right-of-way, but a car does not give it.

Accidents at intersections are almost always the responsibility of the vehicle driver. But, in some cases, a driver can claim the bicyclist contributed to the crash, even though the driver is still largely to blame. Under most state laws, a bicyclist found even one percent at fault cannot recover damages against the driver. Therefore, we encourage you to contact a bicycling attorney immediately following an accident. If the driver (or his insurance company) claims that you were to blame, we can help refute these claims and work to defend your legal rights.

Speak to a bicycle accident attorney about your case.

Call (888) 491-0444

When a motorist does not see a bicycle for various reasons, reflective equipment may have helped. But, unfortunately, it is a hazardous kind of accident, too. Occasionally a cyclist cannot stop, and they will t-bone a vehicle. Or, maybe they have to make a U-turn to avoid that and go down the street or crash into something else. In many cases, a vehicle can speed away. Again, bicyclists are often entitled to a right-of-way, but drivers violate that. The car is weaving to get a right-of-way ahead of the biker. In this scenario, the bike and car are traveling the same direction, with the car trying to make a left turn, crossing into the path of the bicycle.

Again, it is often because the driver needs to see the bike out there. Sometimes, bikes can get into a driver’s blind spots, mainly if it’s a big, square car, such as a delivery truck. Other times, a driver might turn right at an intersection the bicyclist is trying to cross.

The driver or passenger of the car opens a door while a bicyclist is passing. It sounds like an odd incident, but this happens more than you may think. Most people realize watching before turning or pulling off the road is essential. But only some motorists consider looking before opening the door to a vehicle.
If a bicyclist happens to be riding nearby, it could cause a severe injury. There are several reasons cars crash into bicyclists. However, it remains a big issue for many reasons and severely threatens cyclists.
It is difficult to spot a bike when using a cell phone when driving, so always focus on driving while you are behind the wheel—drivers who approach bicyclists at close range.

Motorists must give the bikers as much room as possible to decrease their crash risk. Bikers may also want to try and maintain distance from cars. Riding on sidewalks rather than roads may help mitigate risks. It is never a good idea, but it is especially harmful if bicyclists or pedestrians are nearby. Always slow down when you see a bike — this gives you more time to react if they do something unexpected or get into an accident with another car. Drivers need to know the rules of the road, including instructions on sharing the road with bicyclists and when to give up right-of-way. If you still determine who has the right of way, slow down and let the rider get in front regardless.

Lane changes without being confident that the roads are clear. Using your mirrors is fine, but before finally crossing, it is best to briefly turn your head and look down the lane in case you miss the cyclist. Then, run red lights or stop signs.
Again, it would help if you generally did not do that, but it can be difficult for cyclists since it is harder to see. It is straightforward to look at either side of you and think nobody is coming, so you are okay just going ahead and running this stop sign or stoplight. But, if you miss the bike heading into an intersection, that could cause a collision.

Today, many ride-sharing companies are operating across the country to take over the times you are drunk. You could also hail a taxi, ride the bus, recruit a friend to act as your designated driver when you plan on going out, or stay at your friend’s house overnight if you had a few drinks. Most people are aware of the dangers of drunk driving, but did you know driving while tired could be equally as dangerous?

If you are over 24 hours, the effects are the same as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of.10, which is above the legal limit of.08. Worse, being tired increases the effects of drinking, even in small amounts. Therefore, if you do not sleep well or feel tired, take advantage of any of the options listed above to find another way home.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of ways you can get hurt in a bicycle accident. Bicycles offer no protection when hit by a fast-moving car, thrown from the bike, or both. Taking care of those injuries, or others, can be expensive and time-consuming, and many times, a victim can lose work after an accident.

A single bike crash can financially ruin many people for all of these reasons. Even people with good medical coverage may find that their medical care is unaffordable because of the deductibles or co-pays.

If you are in a crash and trying to figure out how to handle the mountain of medical bills, you will want to talk with a bike injury attorney before making any decisions. They can walk you through your options, including options you might not have considered to pursue compensation.

What to do if you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident?

Call 911 — In the immediate aftermath of a bike crash, dial 911 and expect to hear from emergency personnel, including paramedics and law enforcement.

Seek Medical Care – Not only is seeking medical care crucial to your safety and well-being, but the record of medical care will also be essential to any potential claim or legal action involving injuries. Take Pictures – Photograph the accident site, including any debris, skid marks, property damage, and other evidence. Also, make sure you get photos of any injuries. 

Talk to Law Enforcement: Be honest and direct when communicating with law enforcement, remembering anything you say could and will be used against you.    

An official report of the incident will be crucial to your potential claim for damages. Identify witnesses: Locate any potential witnesses and obtain their contact information. Their testimony can be critical to any potential lawsuit or lawsuit.

Do not provide the Insurance Company with Recorded Statements: In the wake of a bike crash, the insurance adjuster will want a recorded statement. Do NOT give an insurance company the information until you have first talked with a knowledgeable bike crash attorney. Instead, consult an experienced bicycle accident lawyer: An experienced bike accident attorney can examine your case and counsel you about the best legal options to pursue justice and compensation. There is no upfront fee and no attorney fees unless we win. 

Our award-winning attorneys are prepared to assist in any way possible. Free consultations are available via telephone, email, text, or videoconference. No in-person meetings are required, but we can always come directly to you if you would like. Our attorneys will make this process as simple, convenient, and stress-free as possible.