Bicycle Accident Attorney
Every day that you strap on a bicycle helmet and take your bike to the road, you are placing your life in the hands of the millions of other motorists. In 2006, bicyclists accounted for thirteen percent of nonoccupant traffic fatalities and two percent of all traffic fatalities.
This may seem like an insignificant number until you consider the number of bicyclists on the road compared to the number of vehicles. Additionally, one-seventh of the bicyclists killed during 2006 were between the ages of five and fifteen.
It is imperative that we protect ourselves and our children from the dangers of bicycle accidents. The NHTSA has many suggestions for proper bicycle use to help educate the public and keep them safe.
Some basic rules to follow for bicycle use include:
- Always wear a helmet
- Follow the rules of the road. Act as if you were driving a vehicle
- Make sure you are always visible. Use reflective gear, especially at night
- Share the road and make no sudden decisions
- Use hand signals
- Be aware of everything around you
- Always use bike lanes when available
If you are involved in an accident while riding a bicycle, you should contact the authorities immediately and seek medical attention. For more information about what to do when you are involved in an accident, please visit the common questions about bicycle accidents page.
Bicycle accidents might be caused by:
- Aggressive and/or drunken driving
- Poor road conditions
- Premises liability
- Failure to signal
- Vehicle driver negligence
Unfortunately, even with the increased risk of injury for bicyclists, injured car drivers tend to receive 30% to 40% higher compensation from insurance companies. It is important that you receive adequate legal representation if you are a cyclist who has been injured by a motor vehicle in order to gain the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident, please contact our experienced bike injury attorneys today for a free consultation.
