With more attention to healthy lifestyles, bicycles have become a popular means of commuting. This surge in bicycling has been beneficial to riders’ health and finances as well as the environment. However, people who ride bicycles are vulnerable to sustaining severe injuries when involved in motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident with a car or truck, you may be entitled to compensation. The bicycle accident lawyers at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis, LLP can help you obtain the financial help you deserve.
With over 40 years of experience fighting for our clients, you can be confident that we will fight for you, too. Call us today.
Common Causes of a Bicycle Accident
Maryland can be a dangerous place to drive or ride. Heavy traffic and congested roadways can spell disaster for a bicyclist. Following are some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Maryland:
Right- and Left-Hand Turns
Cars or trucks making turns are a danger for bike riders. This is because car or truck drivers often don’t notice cyclists and make quick turns that endanger a rider. The bicyclist may not have a choice but to crash into a car or a ditch.
Car Door Dangers
When drivers open doors that face the street without looking, bike riders can crash into the door. When this happens, bicyclists traveling at a high rate of speed can sustain serious injuries.
Rear-End Collisions
Drivers who are following a bicycle cannot stop as quickly as a bike can. This can lead to the driver of a car or truck crashing into a bicyclist from behind. Since bike riders have no protection but a helmet, this can cause critical injuries.
Distracted Driving
Across the board, the most common reason for motor vehicle accidents is distracted driving. The distraction may be texting, eating, or adjusting climate controls. But whatever the reason, distracted drivers are a threat to anyone else sharing the road, including bicyclists.
Common Injuries in a Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident attorney is aware of the dangers these kinds of crashes can pose and the injuries they can inflict. Bicyclists are more vulnerable, and accidents that occur with a vehicle can leave a bike rider with serious and sometimes fatal injuries. These injuries can include:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Fractured, dislocated, or broken bones
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Soft tissue injuries such as bruises and sprains
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
Being in a bike accident can result in serious and sometimes life-altering injuries. If you are suffering because of injuries you sustained as the result of a driver’s negligence in a Maryland bicycle accident, call Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis. We can help you get the compensation you need and deserve for such an injury.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, the most important thing you can do is call the police immediately. Then, you should seek a thorough medical examination as soon as you are able.
Certain injuries can take several hours or days to show their symptoms. Prompt medical attention is critical to avoid serious problems developing later from your injuries.
After your bike crash, if you are able, you should exchange the following information with the driver or drivers involved:
- Name, address, and phone number
- Insurance policy information
- Driver’s license number of the driver
- Vehicle license plate number
If a police officer responds to the scene, it’s a good idea to ask them how you can obtain a copy of the accident report. This can be a crucial piece of evidence if you seek a legal remedy for your accident injuries.
Compensation Available for a Bike Accident Victim
Injuries from a bicycle accident can be severe. Before you take any settlement offer from an insurance adjuster, you should talk to a qualified bicycle accident lawyer. If not, you may risk settling for much less money. Compensation available to you as a bicycle accident victim could provide money for:
- Current and future accident-related medical expenses
- Lost wages and income-earning ability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Legally, there is no real difference between a car accident and a bicycle accident. A bike rider has the same right to bring a lawsuit for a traffic accident as a car or truck driver. This right could potentially bring you and your family financial relief as you seek compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our Maryland Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
Our bicycle accident lawyers at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis understand that your risk of injury or death is great in a bicycle accident in Maryland.
With over a billion dollars in damages awarded to our clients, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have hired the best attorneys for your case. Contact us today to make sure your rights are protected.