Attorney
The Baltimore Sun recently had a great report about the long-term effects many victims of bicycle accidents face as they recover from injuries.
The story focused on John Hill, who suffered serious injuries when he was hit by a car as he was riding his bicycle along Route 155, near Havre de Grace, more than three years ago.
Hill said he still suffers from chronic pain and that he has lost the ability to work and do many of the recreational activities he did before the crash. “It’s been three years, and I’m still trying to get an answer to relieve this pain,” Hill said, according to the Sun.
The newspaper reported that Hill was among the more than 750 people who are involved in bicycle accidents in Maryland each year. The news outlet reported that state police and the Motor Vehicle Administration have been working to educate bicyclists and drivers about safety approaches, which could help reduce the number of accidents that occur.
Maryland laws require drivers to maintain a 3-foot gap between their vehicles and bike riders. Hill told the Sun that the driver involved in his crash struck the rear of his bicycle. He said that the driver was trying to avoid waiting in traffic when she merged into the shoulder of the road, striking him.
“[S]he was just not attentive to her driving, and she remained on the shoulder way too long, and of course didn’t see me,” Hill said.
Hill was found unconscious on the roadway, suffering from a “burst fracture” in the lower section of his spine, along with compression fractures in several other lower vertebrae, broken ribs and internal bleeding, according to the Sun.
He told the Sun that on a scale from one to 10, his daily pain level is now at about a seven. To read the newspaper’s report, you can click on the source link below.
Working With an Attorney Following Bicycle Accidents
If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident or your loved one has been killed, it is important to know how state laws apply to your situation. You may be entitled to damages for your pain and suffering, as well as future medical treatment costs.
You should be aware that when it comes to bicycle accidents, Maryland has contributory negligence laws that affect victims, so it is important to speak to our experienced attorneys about your legal rights.
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Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.