Bicycle

Bicycle Accident Information

A bicycle accident is a fearful experience. An unprotected human body on a fragile piece of equipment is no match for a speeding automobile or hard pavement. Even the most careful and experienced bicyclists can easily find themselves on the wrong side of the handlebars.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to the following benefits:

Medical bills

Wage loss

Loss of earning capacity

Pain and suffering

Emotional distress and disfigurement

A competent bicycle accident attorney can guide you through the entire legal process and negotiate with insurance companies.
To better serve you, the bicycle accident lawyers at Gobena and Associates have provided the information below as a public service.

Bicycle accident statistics

The statistics are frightening. There are over half a million injuries associated with bicycles each year, according to national data collected from hospital emergency rooms. Even more sobering, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that a bicyclist is fatally injured every 6 hours, and nearly half of all people killed in bicycle accidents are children under the age of 16.

Bicycle accident causes

Unfortunately, many serious bicycle accidents involve inattentive car drivers. While collisions with cars account for only one third of all bicycle accidents, they account for the majority of catastrophic injuries and deaths. In most cases, the driver’s fault consists of failing to yield to the cyclist, backing out of a driveway, opening a car door as a cyclist rides by, running a stop sign, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or simply inattentiveness.

Bicycle accident attorney provides steps to take after a bicycle accident

As with any accident involving vehicles, there are a number of steps you will need to take:

For your medical problems, see a doctor as soon as possible. Often times, an injury from a bike accident can be underestimated. You may feel fine now, but some injuries—particularly neck, back, and head injuries—can become quite painful and debilitating in the long term.

Get as much information as you can about your accident. Key items include the names, numbers and addresses of everyone involved, including witnesses. You will also need to keep track of insurance information and the reporting process. Make copies.

Do not talk to anyone about your accident other than law enforcement personnel. Anything you say to insurance company representatives or investigators could make it harder for you to settle your claim.

It is also a good idea not to sign anything, particularly any kind of release form, without talking to a lawyer first. This is simple and smart way for you to protect yourself.