According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 850 bicyclists were killed across the country in 2018. The Florida High Safety and Motor Vehicles Department reported that 169 of these bicyclist fatalities occurred in Florida alone. If you were riding a bicycle and a vehicle hit you, you may have the right to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact a Hollywood bicycle accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at 800-761-5225 to understand how you may be able to receive compensation.
Types of Bicycle Accidents
While there are many ways a bicycle and a vehicle could collide, some typical ways that cause serious injuries include the following:
- Door Accidents – If a motorist quickly opens their car door without seeing a bicyclist, the bicyclist will not have enough time to stop.
- Side Swiping Accidents – Motorists will look for other cars but often do not think to look for bicyclists on the roadways. Even if they check their mirrors, a motorist could easily miss a bicyclist and merge into a lane where they are riding. It is important to remember that the responsibility rests with the motorists to ensure that they are changing lanes safely and avoid sideswiping a bicyclist.
- Rear-End Accidents – If a motorist drives too close to a bicyclist, it can easily result in a rear-end accident. However, the results of a bicyclist receiving a rear-end collision from a vehicle typically result in serious injuries.
- Crossing in Front of a Bicycle – If a motorist does not pay close attention while driving, they may cross in front of a bicycle. This often happens when a motorist makes a left turn and does not take the time to check to see if a vehicle or bicycle is in the left lane as they turn.
- Human Error – Human error and negligence are a large cause of bicycle accidents.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Hollywood, call 800-761-5225
Injuries Suffered from Bicycle Accidents
In many cases, a motorist colliding with a bicycle results in catastrophic injuries or the death of the bicyclist. Some typical injuries include broken or fractured bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries to organs, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, lacerations, and burns, or even death.
If you suffered injuries related to a bicycle accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If an ambulance arrives on the scene, take advantage of the opportunity to have your injuries evaluated immediately. Otherwise, go to an emergency room or visit your physician as soon as possible. In many cases, injuries remain undetectable due to the surge of adrenaline after a bicycle accident. Your health is a priority, so make sure to seek medical evaluation at some point after your bicycle accident.
Additionally, if you seek medical attention after a bicycle accident you will then have proper documentation regarding the fact you suffered injuries in case you make the decision to pursue a claim for your medical bills, lost wages or pain and suffering at a later time.
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Wrongful Death
If your loved one died in a bicycle accident that resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf. Typically, a wrongful death claim originates from parents, children, and spouses of the deceased.
Wrongful death claims include compensation for more than medical bills and lost wages of your deceased loved one. They also include compensation for funeral expenses, the value of either elder or child care they provided, the loss of future earnings, the surviving spouse’s loss of companionship, and the surviving children’s loss of support and guidance.
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Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident with a vehicle, follow these steps to ensure the protection of your health and legal rights.
Remove Yourself from the Road and Call 911
Always remove yourself from the road as soon as possible following a bicycle accident, as to not suffer further injuries from other cars or vehicles that pass by the accident. At this time, you should contact 911 to ensure that the police will arrive on the scene of the accident. Make sure to be honest with the police officers regarding the accident and request a copy of the final police report.
Seek Medical Treatment
Attempt to assess your medical injuries and if you need medical treatment, as explained above. Even if you believe that your medical injuries are minor, make sure to visit a medical professional to ensure that he/she evaluates your health.
Exchange Contact Information with Witnesses
If there were any other witnesses to the accident other than the motorist involved in the accident, make sure to collect their contact information, as their testimony could prove valuable at a later time if you decide to pursue a legal claim.
Assess the Damage
Check your bicycle helmet for any evidence of cracks. If a crack appears on your helmet there may be a chance you have a concussion or some form of brain injury. Even if you do not feel unwell, make sure to visit with a medical professional immediately.
Assess the damage of your bicycle. If the motorist drove in a negligent way, and you file a claim in court, you will also request compensation for the damage to your bicycle. Have a professional bike shop inspect your bicycle for damage, and give you a written report if you decide to pursue a claim for compensation.
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Contact a Hollywood Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you have suffered injuries due to a bicycle accident in Florida, contact a Hollywood car accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC. For personal injury claims, one has four years from the date of their injury to act, and if a loved one passed away, you have two years from the date of their death to pursue a wrongful death action. Call 800-761-5225 to set up a free consultation regarding your case.
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