Cycling is a great way to stay healthy and help the environment, and a popular mode of transportation in urban and rural areas. Unfortunately, as the number of cyclists increases on the roads, so do the risks of accidents. Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable to severe injuries since they lack the protective structure that motor vehicles provide. Accidents involving bicycles often lead to severe injuries or even fatalities, making it imperative to understand the most common types of bicycle accidents, their causes, and how victims can seek compensation.
Seeking legal assistance is essential for recovering damages after being injured in a bicycle accident. If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, contacting a bicycle accident attorney is in your best interest to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Right Hook Accidents
One of the most common types of bicycle accidents is the right hook accident. This occurs when a motor vehicle makes a right turn across the path of a cyclist traveling straight. This often happens because the driver does not see the cyclist or underestimates their traveling speed. The result is that the driver cuts off the cyclist, leading to a collision that leaves the cyclist with little to no space to avoid impact.
Common Causes:
- Blind Spots: Drivers often fail to check their blind spots or side mirrors carefully before turning.
- Speed Misjudgment: Drivers may not accurately gauge the speed at which a cyclist is traveling and assume they can safely turn before the cyclist reaches the intersection.
- Failure to Signal: Some drivers fail to signal their intentions to turn, leaving cyclists unaware and unprepared for the vehicle’s movements.
Injuries:
In a right hook accident, cyclists often sustain severe injuries due to the sudden and direct nature of the collision. Common injuries include broken bones, head trauma, lacerations, and severe road rash. In worse scenarios, a cyclist may be thrown into oncoming traffic or even be crushed by the turning vehicle, leading to potentially life-threatening injuries.
Dooring Accidents
“Dooring” is another common type of bicycle accident and often happens in cities or areas with street-side parking. It occurs when the driver or passenger of a parked car opens their door directly into the path of an oncoming cyclist. The cyclist is often left with little time to react, leading to a crash into the car door or an abrupt swerve into traffic.
Common Causes:
- Failure to Look for Cyclists: Drivers or passengers often forget to check their mirrors or blind spots before opening the door.
- Narrow Bike Lanes: In many urban areas, cyclists are forced to ride close to parked cars due to insufficient space or poorly designed bike lanes.
Injuries:
Dooring can result in severe injuries for cyclists. Common injuries include broken arms, shoulder injuries, head trauma, facial injuries, and road rash. In some cases, the cyclist may swerve into moving traffic, increasing the severity of their injuries.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions happen when a motor vehicle strikes the back of a bicycle, typically because the driver was following too closely or was distracted. These accidents are particularly dangerous because cyclists have very little protection from behind, and a rear impact can cause the rider to be thrown from their bike.
Common Causes:
- Distracted Driving: A driver who is texting, adjusting the radio, or otherwise distracted may not notice the cyclist in front of them in time to stop.
- Following Too Closely: Some drivers fail to leave enough space between their vehicle and a cyclist, making it difficult to stop in time if the cyclist slows down or stops.
- Low Visibility: Rear-end collisions are more likely to happen at night or in poor weather conditions when cyclists are harder to see.
Injuries:
Rear-end collisions can lead to severe injuries such as whiplash, spinal cord injuries (SCI), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and fractures. In more severe cases, cyclists may be propelled into other vehicles or objects, increasing the risk of life-threatening injuries.
Left Cross Accidents
A left cross accident occurs when a vehicle making a left turn at an intersection collides with a cyclist going straight through the intersection from the opposite direction. These accidents often happen because drivers are focused on oncoming traffic and fail to see the cyclist in time to avoid a collision.
Common Causes:
- Inattention at Intersections: Drivers may be concentrating on other cars and fail to notice a cyclist approaching from another direction.
- Misjudgment of Speed: Drivers may not accurately judge the speed of an oncoming cyclist and believe they have enough time to complete their turn before the cyclist reaches the intersection.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers may fail to yield the right of way to a cyclist who has the legal right to proceed through the intersection.
Injuries:
Left cross accidents often result in severe injuries for cyclists, including broken bones, head injuries, and internal injuries. Cyclists may also be thrown over the hood of the vehicle or onto the pavement, compounding the severity of the injuries.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents occur when a motor vehicle strikes the side of a bicycle, often at an intersection where the cyclist or driver has failed to yield the right of way. These accidents are hazardous because they frequently occur at higher speeds, and the cyclist has no protection from the impact.
Common Causes:
- Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Drivers or cyclists who ignore traffic signals are at high risk of being involved in a T-bone accident.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers may fail to yield to a cyclist who has the right of way, leading to a side-impact collision.
- Distracted Driving or Cycling: Inattention by either party can lead to accidents, particularly at intersections where split-second decisions are required.
Injuries:
T-bone accidents frequently result in devastating injuries for cyclists, such as broken ribs, spinal cord injuries (SCI), internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Cyclists may also be thrown from their bikes, increasing the severity of their injuries.
Side-Swipe Accidents
Side-swipe accidents happen when a vehicle traveling in the same direction as a cyclist veers too close and strikes the cyclist from the side. These accidents are common on narrow roads with insufficient space for vehicles and bicycles to safely share the lane.
Common Causes:
- Inadequate Passing Distance: Drivers may not provide cyclists with enough space when passing, violating laws that require a minimum safe distance.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers who are distracted by their phones or other devices may unintentionally veer into the cyclist’s lane.
- Lack of Bike Lanes: In areas without designated bike lanes, cyclists are often forced to share the road with vehicles, increasing the risk of side-swipe accidents.
Injuries:
Side-swipe accidents can cause cyclists to lose control, leading to crashes, falls, and collisions with other vehicles or objects. Common injuries include road rash, fractures, head injuries, and shoulder injuries.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver strikes a cyclist and then flees the scene without stopping to provide assistance or exchange information. These accidents are not only illegal but also particularly traumatic for the cyclist, who is often left injured and without immediate help.
Common Causes:
- Fear of Legal Consequences: Drivers may flee the scene of an accident out of fear of facing legal or financial consequences, especially if they were at fault.
- Driving Under the Influence: Impaired drivers are more likely to leave the scene of an accident to avoid being caught while intoxicated.
- Distracted or Reckless Driving: Drivers who are distracted or driving recklessly may hit a cyclist and panic, choosing to flee the scene rather than face the repercussions.
Injuries:
Hit-and-run accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries for cyclists, including broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries. In severe cases, hit-and-run accidents may be fatal if the cyclist is not discovered or helped in time.
Hiring a bicycle accident is imperative in these cases as drivers may have no recourse to seek damages if the hit-and-run driver isn’t found. They may need to file a claim under their own underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage.
Seeking Compensation for Bicycle Accidents
If you have suffered an injury in a bicycle accident, whether it was caused by a right hook, dooring, or any other type of incident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The process of recovering damages can be detailed and time-consuming, especially when dealing with insurance companies or at-fault drivers who refuse to accept responsibility. This is where the assistance of an experienced bicycle accident attorney becomes invaluable.
Damages You May Recover:
- Medical Expenses: This includes hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and any future medical care required due to your injuries.
- Lost Income: If you are unable to work due to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income, both past and future.
- Pain and Suffering: In addition to financial losses, you may be entitled to compensation for the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident.
- Property Damage: If your bicycle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you can recover compensation for repair or replacement costs.
How a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help:
- Investigating the Accident: A lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, gathering evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and video footage to determine liability.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. Your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- Filing a Lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
- Protecting Your Rights: Throughout the legal process, your lawyer will protect your rights, and you receive the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take After Being Injured in a Bicycle Accident
If you’ve suffered an injury in a bicycle accident, taking the proper steps immediately after the incident is imperative for your health and legal case. Here are the key steps you should follow:
Seek Medical Care Immediately
Your priority after a bicycle accident should always be your health. Even if you don’t feel severely injured at the time, some injuries may not be immediately apparent, like concussions, internal injuries, or soft tissue damage. Call for emergency medical help or go to the hospital right away for a complete evaluation. Delaying medical care can worsen your condition and may also hurt your legal claim, as it can be argued that your injuries were not serious enough to seek prompt treatment.
In addition, keep records of all medical visits, treatments, and diagnoses. These documents will be critical in proving the extent of your injuries and securing fair compensation later on.
Contact a Seasoned Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Once your immediate medical needs are addressed, you should contact a seasoned bicycle accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you through the legal process, investigate the accident, and determine who is at fault. They will communicate with the insurance company and other parties on your behalf, protecting your rights from the start.
Avoid Speaking to the Insurance Company
Do not speak to the other party’s insurance company without consulting your lawyer first. Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your claim or get you to accept a low settlement. Let your lawyer handle all communication to ensure your claim is not jeopardized.
Following these steps will protect both your health and your legal rights.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
Bicycle accidents can happen in many ways, from right hook collisions to dooring incidents, rear-end collisions, and hit-and-runs. Regardless of how the accident occurs, the consequences for the cyclist are often severe, leading to physical, emotional, and financial challenges. If you’ve suffered an injury in a bicycle accident, it’s essential to seek experienced legal help as soon as possible.
A knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer can handle the complex legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, allowing you time to recover physically and mentally. Contact a personal injury attorney today to discuss your case and take the first step toward recovery.