Riding a bike has many benefits. It helps burn many calories, enhances flexibility, builds stamina, and is environment-friendly. However, things get ugly when people meet with an accident.
Meeting an accident while driving a bike is extremely painful and has the potential to cause serious injuries. These include skull fractures, concussions, strains, dislocations, rib fractures, and chest trauma.
Cyclists share roads with large automobiles, increasing the risk of vehicle collisions. If you’ve ever been injured due to somebody else’s negligence, you should find a lawyer specializing in bicycle accidents.
Collisions on a bicycle occur because of many reasons. These include weather conditions, rush hour, or, as happens often, reckless driving by car owners. Indeed, a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration puts getting hit by a car as one of the top reasons behind collisions.
But whatever the reason, victims should not have to pay for someone’s carelessness. A lawyer will help them receive adequate financial compensation and the justice they deserve.
How can they help the victim? What are some related details a victim should know? Read on to know.
Location of most bike accidents
As mentioned earlier, cyclists meet with an accident for several reasons. But where do most of them occur? It’s interesting to know that most bike collisions happen at intersections.
The reason behind that is the stubbornness of automobile drivers, which prevents them from giving bicycles the right-of-way (legal right to cross the road before the others). Cyclists should observe extreme precautions while turning, merging, and stopping to prevent the possibility of accidents.
What kind of compensation can you get?
Bike accidents fall under the personal injury category by law. Your lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim seeking adequate compensation for the injuries received.
Sufficient financial compensation is vital for personal injury accidents, especially on a bike. Many accidents cause you to miss many days from work or, in some unfortunate cases, prevent you from working again. They also involve significant costs related to treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation.
For instance, injuries to the spinal cord result in irreversible paralysis. Or head and traumatic brain injuries can cause chronic pain, insomnia, etc. Both can prevent your ability to work for a long time or permanently.
Your attorney will stand with you, ensuring you receive the best treatment besides recovering damages.
Is there a statute of limitations?
Usually, you must file a claim within two years in personal injury cases, including those involving bicycles. However, some might involve several complications, which your attorney can help you understand and tackle efficiently.
How will your lawyer help you?
Besides ensuring that they file the case within the statute of limitations, your attorney will try to prove the other party’s negligence, leading to the accident. They could do this by visiting the accident site, analyzing the police report, watching the footage (if available), and talking with people at the scene.
Your attorney will also help determine the at-fault party. For instance, if you received an injury because of potholes or tripped over some debris, the party at fault would be the city administration or property owner, respectively.
You should consider hiring experienced lawyers specializing in bicycle accidents to ensure you receive adequate financial compensation. These accidents can have life-turning consequences, but having an attorney provides you with the support you require, both moral and legal.