Bicycles provide a great way for people to get around town, while also getting in some exercise. Most states have laws requiring cars to be aware of and to share the road with bicycles. Despite those laws, bicyclists still suffer nearly 500,000 injuries each year.
Tragically, most of these accidents are the fault of the vehicle driver, and are easily preventable. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bicycle accident when you were struck by a car, the law may entitle you to compensation. Work with an experienced bicycle accident injury attorney in San Antonio to help you collect every dollar you deserve, so you do not have to pay a dime out of your own pocket.
Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents happen for many reasons. A common theme among accidents is timing—most bicycle accidents occur between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. This happens because many people are out on their bicycle for exercise, while other people are in a rush to get home from work. Mix that with fading sunlight, and bicyclists face grave dangers during these hours of the day.
The most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Impact with a car
- Falling
- Poor roads
- Rider error
- Opening car door
- Animals
When an accident is caused by a driver, the reason almost always includes human error. Examples include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to yield
- Failure to stop at a stop sign or red light
- Poor driving skills
- Aggressive driving
Each of these reasons for your bicycle accident directly results from the vehicle driver’s negligence. When someone else’s negligence causes your injuries, you can hold them accountable. The last thing you want is to get stuck with medical bills on top of all the injuries. To avoid this, work with a respected bicycle accident injury attorney who can help you collect compensation from the negligent driver.
Common Injuries
Bicycle accidents can be deadly to bicycle riders. Your bicycle provides you little protection from the impact with a vehicle. As a result, your body takes the full force of the impact which could cause life-altering or life-threatening injuries.
Your injuries may include:
- Burns
- Cuts
- Broken bones
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Sprains
- Dislocations
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
Do not discount minor injuries, either. When your bicycle is involved in an accident with a car, your body will take the full force of the impact. Even if you feel fine at the accident scene, that may be the adrenaline pumping through your veins. Seek immediate medical attention to make sure you do not have more serious injuries.
Part of your ability to recover from your injuries is having a complete understanding of them. This comes through a medical evaluation. Once that is complete, you want to work with a bicycle accident injury lawyer who can help you collect compensation for your medical bills so you do not have to pay for them—that should be the sole responsibility of the at fault driver.
Collecting Damages
No amount of money will undo your bicycle accident or take away the pain and suffering you have endured. In fact, worrying about your medical expenses and your other financial obligations can hinder your ability to recover from your injuries. Pass this stress on to your chosen legal representative instead, so you can focus all of your effort and energy on your physical well being.
Your lawyer may obtain compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Present and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
Many bicycle accident injury victims see the medical bills piling up on their kitchen table and think that is the amount of money they can receive. Unfortunately, that often leaves victims in financial hardship because they do not account for their future needs.
Insurance companies will take advantage of this and offer you a quick settlement, hoping to make you go away for as little money as possible. Their goal is to keep as much money in their pocket and out of yours. If you take their settlement offer, you will waive your right to bring any future claims against them for your bicycle accident. Months or years later, after the settlement funds have run dry but you still have medical expenses, it will be too late. You will have to cover those expenses on your own.
We have seen this happen to too many victims like you. Two-thirds of all bankruptcies filed in the United States each year result from medical expenses. Do not let yourself become a statistic. Working with a knowledgeable bicycle accident injury lawyer, you can rest assured that they will help you calculate the total amount of money you will need so you do not bear any financial burden for your bicycle accident.
But do not delay. You have limited time to file your bicycle accident claim against the negligent driver.
A Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
You deserve a bike lawyer at your side who understands the nuances of bicycle accidents and has proven experience helping accident victims like you recover compensation for their injuries. Your lawyer should have experience investigating bicycle accidents, speaking with medical experts, interviewing witnesses, and aggressively negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. Remember, the insurance company does not have your best interests at heart; your lawyer does.
Choosing a bicycle accident lawyer is an important step in your recovery. You do not have to wait until you have completely recovered from your injuries. Waiting that long could mean you have missed the deadline to bring your bicycle accident claim. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible after your bicycle accident is vital to the success of your bicycle accident claim. Your ability to recover maximum damages for your injuries and your financial losses can depend on the lawyer you choose.
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