Every bicycle accident lawyer knows that bicycle accidents cause hundreds and even thousands of injuries or deaths in the United States every year.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 857 bicyclists killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2018.
Most cycling accidents happen in urban areas, where traffic is the heaviest.
Causes of bicycle accidents
There are different reasons why bicycle accidents may happen. Here are some of the situations that may occur to cause the accident:
- A motor vehicle cuts off a bicycle when entering the roadway.
- A motor vehicle rear-ends a bike trying to maneuver around a car parked in the bike lane.
- A driver of a parked motor vehicle opens the door in the path of a cyclist.
- The cyclist is riding on the wrong side of the road.
- A cyclist falls off the bike due to a poorly maintained roadway.
- The bicycle is defective.
- A cyclist collides with a pedestrian or another cyclist, etc.
How can bicycle-related injuries and deaths be prevented?
There are a few things every bicycle rider can do to decrease the chance of an accident or the severity of injuries, or avoid the collision:
Wear a helmet– wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injuries. All bicyclists, regardless of age, can help protect themselves by wearing properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride.
Increase your visibility– Increase your visibility with lights on the front and back of your bicycle, as well as reflectors on the bicycle frame, tires, and pedals. Also, wear brightly colored clothes, especially if you are riding your bike at night.
Do not drink and cycle– Driving a car or riding a bike while intoxicated causes all the same impairments, such as vision changes, reaction time, perception, and judgment.
Liability in bicycle accidents
Who can be held liable in a bike accident depends on a couple of factors: the cause of the accident and who was at fault. For instance,
- If the driver of the motor vehicle caused the accident, the cyclist might file a claim against the driver or the driver’s auto insurance company.
- If the road was in poor condition, the cyclist might file a claim against the government agencies responsible for designing or maintaining the road.
- If a bicycle was poorly designed or repaired, the cyclist can file a claim against the people responsible for manufacturing or repairing the bicycle for any accidents that occur because of their negligence.
- If a dog jumped at a cyclist and caused an injury, the cyclist can file a claim against the dog’s owner.
- If a pedestrian or another cyclist caused an accident by violating the injured cyclist’s right-of-way, the cyclist could file a claim against them.
Winning a bicycle accident lawsuit
You, as a plaintiff, with your personal injury lawyer, will have to present evidence and prove that the defendant had a duty to you, which he/she breached and caused harm. The harm was caused by the other party breaching the duty. For instance, the duty can be to drive safely and with caution for nearby cyclists and if they breached this duty, you would be injured, or your bicycle damaged.
Things you should do when involved in an accident
· Call the police by dialing 911. Let the 911 operator know if you think there are injuries.
- Call the police by dialing 911. Let the 911 operator know if you think there are injuries.
- If there are witnesses at the scene of the accident, get their names, addresses, and phone numbers.
- Take photographs (with your cell phone) of your bicycle and the other vehicle involved in the accident.
- Go to the hospital or a doctor as soon as possible after the accident
- Call a bicycle accident attorney
If you have been involved and/or injured in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s fault while riding or walking your bicycle, give attorney Zohar a call for a free consultation.
Many Floridians are unfamiliar with Florida law – did you know that if you own a car, you may be entitled to certain benefits from your automobile insurance policy even though you were riding your bicycle when the accident happened? The laws can be complicated and confusing; we, therefore, urge you to give bicycle accident lawyer Zohar a call for a free consultation at (800) 963-3311.