It’s common for bicycle injury victims to be hit by cars and sustain injuries. This is because of the flawed assumption that drivers have that cyclists can easily move out of the way. However, if you are hit by an inattentive driver while on your bike, you could sustain severe and debilitating injuries that impact your entire life.
According to the National Safety Council (NCS), the number of bicycle-related deaths peaks in the warmer months of May and October.
Bicycle accidents can be devastating to the victims, as well as their families. If you have been injured in an accident, it is important that you consult with an experienced lawyer who can help you recover damages for your injuries.
Bicycle Accidents Are a Prominent Problem
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 130,000 bicycles are injured in crashes on American roads, resulting in the death of nearly 1,000 bicyclists each year.
There are several reasons why a driver may hit a cyclist, but many times it is due to their sheer negligence. Bicycle accidents can occur when cyclists attempt to share the road with motor vehicles.
When it comes to bicycle safety, it’s important to remember that bicycles are not considered vehicles under the law. This means that cyclists are considered pedestrians by law, and they must be careful to follow all pedestrian laws. Bicyclists should always ride on the right side of the road, obey traffic signs and signals, and wear proper safety gear at all times.
Bicycle accidents can also occur when cyclists collide with other cyclists or pedestrians at crosswalks. Cyclist and pedestrian injuries are common in these cases because both types of collisions often result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Who Is Responsible for a Bicycle Accident?
In any type of collision between a motor vehicle and a cyclist, it’s important to determine who was at fault for causing the injury from the accident in order to determine liability for damages related to personal injury claims.
There are several factors that may determine fault in an accident:
Driver Distraction
Drivers who are distracted can cause bicycle accidents by not paying attention while driving or otherwise failing to follow traffic laws. Distracted drivers may be looking at their cell phone or texting while driving, talking with passengers or another driver, eating food while driving, or other activities that take their attention off the road.
Driver Intoxication
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that drunk driving is a factor in more than 10 percent of fatal car crashes in the United States each year. Drunk drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment which can cause them to miss stop signs, run red lights and collide with cyclists who are also on the road at those times.
Drivers can also be distracted by other passengers in their vehicle, as well as talking on a cell phone or texting while driving. These activities can all lead to accidents involving cyclists and other vehicles on the road.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, consult with a bicycle accident attorney in Greenville as soon as possible. In addition to helping you recover financial compensation for your losses, a Greenville bicycle accident lawyer can help protect your legal rights and ensure that all pertinent information is collected and preserved.
Here are some steps to take after a bicycle accident:
Seek Medical Attention
If you have been injured and cannot move on your own, call 911 for assistance or ask someone nearby to do so. Do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital unless it is absolutely necessary.
Do Not Admit Fault or Liability
The other party may claim that you were partially at fault for the crash, or that there was no crash at all. If this happens, do not admit anything! Instead, contact an attorney as soon as possible so he or she can respond on your behalf.
Preserve evidence of the crash scene and vehicle damage by taking photographs of everything in sight — including both bicycles and vehicles involved — before leaving the scene (if possible).
It’s also helpful if you write down the names of witnesses who saw what happened (if any), their contact information and any other details that may be useful in proving your case.
Get Medical Treatment Immediately
Bicycle accidents can lead to serious injuries or even death. If you were involved in an accident, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you do not think that you have been seriously injured, it is important to receive medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident.
You may have internal injuries that are not immediately apparent and go untreated for some time before they cause complications in your recovery process.
If you’re not sure what type of bicycle accident claim to file, contact a bicycle accident lawyer for advice. A Greenville bicycle accident lawyer can help determine whether your claim would be better served by filing a lawsuit or seeking compensation through an administrative process such as arbitration or mediation.
Recovering Damages After a Bike Accident
The amount of compensation you recover will depend on how badly you were injured and how much fault you share for causing the accident. For example, if your injuries are minor and it’s clear that another driver was entirely at fault for causing the accident, then you may not be entitled to any compensation at all.
However, if your injuries are severe or if there is some question as to who was responsible for causing the accident, then you may be able to recover significant damages such as:
- Medical expenses (including past and future treatment)
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Pain and suffering (both physical and emotional)
Why Hire A Greenville Bicycle Accident Lawyer After a Bike Accident
It’s important to hire a Greenville bicycle accident lawyer because they will know how to handle your case correctly and efficiently. They’ll know how insurance companies operate, and they’ll be able to negotiate effectively with them on your behalf.
You’ll also receive personalized attention from our bicycle accident attorneys because they have extensive knowledge of this area of law and a great deal of experience handling cases like yours. Contacting a bicycle accident lawyer from Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward is the best decision you can make.