Doctors Injured in Bike Accidents

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Getting hit by a car on a bike is easily every cyclist’s worst nightmare, but unfortunately it isn’t an uncommon occurrence. If you or a loved one has been in a bicycle accident, call a bicycle accident attorney today. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will know how to make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Zinda Law Group is an experienced bicycle accident law firm and is ready to help you take back control of your life. For a 100% free consultation with one of our bicycle accidents lawyers, call (800) 863-5312.

BICYCLE ACCIDENT FAQS

If you have been a victim of a cycling accident, you probably have a lot of questions that you want answers to, like, “If I got hit by a car while riding my bike, can I sue the driver?” or “Why do I need a bicycle accident attorney?” We have answered a few of the most frequently asked questions below, but remember, our bicycle accident lawyers are only a phone call away.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents?

Bicycling is an amazing hobby and sport, but you may be wondering to yourself, “Wait; what are the chances that I will get hit by a car while riding my bike?” While at Zinda Law Group we sincerely hope that does not happen to you, unfortunately these kinds of accidents are quite common, and so we want you to be as informed as possible.

Of course, the actual rate of bicyclist accidents depends on where you live, but if you Google “bicycle accident today” it is likely that you’ll unfortunately see quite a few results. In 2019 alone, over 800 cyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of those deaths took place in urban areas, which is a reminder to those living in big cities that they are especially at risk.

Those statistics only cover cycling deaths, but there are hundreds of thousands of cycling injuries that are suffered by bicyclists every year. Data from 2010 showed that fatal and non-fatal injuries to bicyclists resulted in lifetime medical costs and a $10 billion productivity loss. Thus, these kinds of accidents are unfortunately common, and it is important that you cycle with that in mind.

What Are The Most Common Bike Accident Injuries?

Bicycle accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, sometimes even fatal ones. Generally, most cyclists experience abrasions, contusions, and lacerations to their upper or lower extremities; this is typically referred to as “road rash.” Some other injuries that a cyclist may experience are:

• Strains
• Fractures or dislocations
• Head injuries
• Concussions
• Back injuries
• Disc herniations
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Spinal cord injuries
• Scarring

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive. If you or a loved one was hit by a car while riding their bike and experienced any injury at all, call an experienced bicycle accident attorney today.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bike Accidents?

Bike accidents can happen in a variety of different ways; however, some common causes of these accidents are:

• Speeding
• Following too closely
• Distracted while driving
• Improper turns or lane changes
• Intoxicated while driving
• Failure to yield
• Failure to stop at a stop light or stop sign
• Truck driver negligence

This list is not exhaustive, so even if the cause of your injury is not listed here, you should still call a bicycle injury lawyer today. An experienced personal injury lawyer can listen to your story and help assess whether or not you have a viable claim.

Who Would I Sue and What Would the Process Look Like?

Generally, you would sue the motor vehicle driver, and your compensation would come from their insurance company. However, sometimes there may be other defendants as well. For example, if the road that the accident happened on was not taken care of properly by the city and that circumstance is what actually caused the accident, the city could be a defendant as well.

Another example would be if the driver  of the car that hit you on your bike only did so because of another negligent driver. Figuring out exactly who is liable can be difficult, which is why it is so important to have an experienced bicycle injury attorney in your corner.

The process looks different for different cases, but generally this is how it will proceed: first, you will have a consultation with one of our experienced lawyers who can answer all of your questions. Next, our attorneys will negotiate with the defendant’s attorneys and attempt to reach a settlement agreement that you are happy with. If an agreement cannot be reached, then we would possibly go to court to litigate your claim.

Whichever route your case takes, our lawyers are dedicated to keeping you informed at every step of the process. This is your life, and it is just our job to help you get it back on track.

What Can I Do to Avoid a Bike Accident?

Accidents happen, and it is impossible to always avoid them. However, if you are a cyclist, there are some useful tips you can follow to minimize your risk:

Make sure you are riding the right size bike. If your bike is too small or too big, it can seriously inhibit your ability to control the bike properly. When you are biking on a busy road, you want to make sure that you have as much control as possible.

Always make sure that your brakes are in working order. Don’t be afraid to triple check them before a long ride. To check if your brakes are working properly, spin the wheel with your hand and press on the brake.

Always use safety equipment. This means a helmet and a headlamp, even if you are biking during the day. Helmets greatly reduce the likelihood of a life-threatening injury, so it is vital that you remember to wear one. Lights, reflectors, and any other tools that make you more visible to drivers are always good to have.

Don’t listen to music or talk on the phone. As much fun as it may be to multitask or bike to your favorite song, it can be really dangerous. You may not be able to hear cars traveling too closely or horns warning you of a risk. Try to be as aware of your surroundings as possible.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE IN A BICYCLE ACCIDENT

Getting hit by a car on a bike can be terrifying and an overwhelming experience. Although accidents are not always preventable, you can prepare for how you will respond in the aftermath. So, if you or a loved one got hit by a car while riding your bike, follow these easy steps to help protect your rights:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

You should always seek medical attention as soon as you can. Even if your injury doesn’t seem to be serious, it is always a good idea to get the advice of a car injury doctor regardless; many of the common injuries in these types of accidents may not seem serious at first but can dangerously progress if left untreated. Additionally, if you wait to seek medical attention until it becomes a bigger problem down the road, then the insurance company for the defendant may try to argue that you are making the injury up.

Contact The Police

Always call the police to the scene so that they can fill out a report. Be sure to tell the officer about what happened from your point of view. If there are any witnesses who also saw the accident, get their contact information and, if possible, a written statement.

Document Everything

If you are well enough to do so, then this should start right at the scene. Take a picture of the way your bike fell or any immediate and visible injuries as well as the car that hit you and the overall site of the crash. Write down the name and insurance information of the other driver; take down the names of any witnesses, too. The more information you gather, the easier it is for your attorneys down the road to succeed in your case.

Continue to Take Care of Yourself:

Your health and wellbeing are the most important priority, so follow doctor’s orders and be sure to continue to take care of yourself. If a doctor recommends physical therapy, then go to physical therapy. When we are successful in your case, those are the kind of expenses you could be reimbursed for.

Call Zinda Law Group

The earlier you call us the better; each state has a statute of limitations which is basically a timer that starts ticking on the day of the accident. Generally, they are two to three years, but cases involving bicycling accidents are not necessarily the kind that can be resolved overnight. Call us ASAP so that we can schedule a free consultation with one of our bicycle injury attorneys and get started on your case.

CALL ZINDA LAW GROUP TODAY TO GET YOUR LIFE BACK ON TRACK

We know that you and your family have likely been struggling physically and financially, which is why we are dedicated to making this process as easy and accessible as possible. We promise to not charge you a penny unless we win your case; that is our “No Win, No Fee Guarantee.”

To set up your 100% free consultation, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312. It’s time to put yourself first and get the compensation that you deserve.

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.