Bike accidents can lead to severe injuries and fatalities, financial burdens, and legal complexities, leaving victims in a state of distress.
At The Jones Firm, we understand the unique challenges cyclists face in accidents. Our founder, Dax Jones, brings a personal touch to this subject. Dax was a competitive cyclist for 5 years with the United States Cycling Federation. He knows firsthand that bike accidents occur often and can cause significant injury.
Our latest post provides valuable insights into bike accidents, their causes, injuries, and the compensation process. Explore our blog for answers, and don’t hesitate to reach out for further assistance. Your safety matters!
The Most Common Cause of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents often occur in urban areas due to various factors:
- Speeding drivers who fail to notice cyclists.
- Distracted driving, like using phones or eating.
- Drivers not leaving enough space for cyclists.
- Careless lane changes and turns.
- Ignoring stop signs and red lights.
- Failure to yield to cyclists.
- Driving under the influence.
- Dooring accidents when car doors open.
- Driver fatigue.
At intersections, statistics show a significant number of accidents involving cyclists. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 51% of bicycle crashes involving motor vehicles occurred at or involved intersections
Other causes involve poor road conditions, hitting objects in bike paths, striking stationary items, or swerving to avoid obstacles. To stay safe, bicycle riders should make sure to wear protective gear, follow traffic rules, be visible, choose a bike path, and safe routes and times, regularly ride them, and maintain their bike.
Common Serious Injuries in Bike Accidents
Bike accidents can result in severe injuries that impact your life in the long term in many ways. These common bicycle injuries can include, and as Dax Jones knows firsthand, bike accidents often lead to:
- Brain Injuries: Bike accidents often lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), causing memory loss, personality changes, and more. Wearing a helmet reduces TBI risk by 85%.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can cause paralysis and chronic pain, often requiring lifelong care.
- Fractures or Dislocations: Bike accidents can break bones, limiting mobility and often requiring surgery or therapy.
- Facial and Dental Injuries: These accidents can lead to facial injuries and dental issues, affecting appearance and self-esteem.
These traumatic injuries highlight the critical importance of awareness of injury prevention. Stay vigilant, follow safety guidelines, and use protective gear to reduce the long-term risk of these life-changing head and spine injuries.
You Could Claim Compensation for a Bike Accident?
Bike accidents, often result in serious injuries and you may need to seek medical treatment. If you’re involved in a bike accident that wasn’t your fault, you might have a chance to claim compensation. Here’s what you should understand about this process:
- The compensation you can seek hinges on the severity of your injuries, how it affects your life, and the other party’s negligence. This may include medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.
- To claim compensation, you must demonstrate the other party’s fault and how it led to your injuries and losses. You’ll need evidence like medical bills, receipts, photos, and witness statements.
- The process can be intricate and time-consuming, involving challenges from the other party’s insurance company or legal representatives. Legal aspects like liability, causation, and damages must be addressed.
At The Jones Firm, we are here to improve your chances of receiving fair compensation. We understand that the process can be complex, and Dax’s 20+ years of legal experience can guide you on the best path forward for your case.
Here’s What to Do After Getting Hit by a Motorist
Being hit by a motorist can be a painful and unsettling experience. Here’s what to do in the aftermath:
- Check for injuries and move to safety. If hurt or bleeding, call 911 or ask for help. Don’t move if you suspect severe head, neck, or spinal injury.
- Exchange information with the motorist, including name, phone number, address, and insurance details. If they leave, note their vehicle and any identifiers.
- Document the accident. Take photos, and note the date, time, weather, and road conditions. Gather witness information.
- Seek medical attention. Internal injuries may not be visible. Keep records and bills related to your treatment.
- Notify your insurance company but consult The Jones Firm before giving statements.
- Talk to The Jones Firm lawyer experienced in bike accidents. They can guide you through legal options and help secure compensation for expenses, lost wages, and more.
FAQs about Bike Accidents
Here are answers to your questions about bike accidents:
What’s the cause of most bicycle accidents?
The most common cause of bicycle accidents is motor vehicle collisions, making up 30% of bike fatalities in the US in 2019.
What happens if you have an accident with a cyclist?
If you have an accident with a cyclist, check for injuries, call 911 if needed, exchange information, and report the rules of the road and incident to your insurance company.
What are the serious head injuries of a bike accident?
Serious injuries can include head trauma, spinal cord injury, fractures, dislocations, facial fractures, and pelvic fractures when side injuries occur.
Can I claim it if I get knocked off my bike?
Yes, if the accident was due to someone else’s fault, you can claim compensation for your future medical bills, medical treatment, expenses, lost income, and more.
Should I go to the hospital after a bike fall?
If you have severe pain, head, neck, or knee pain, spinal injury, or significant bleeding, call 911 and go to the hospital.
Should I go to the doctor after a bike accident?
Yes, even for minor head injuries, you may require more attention as some issues with acute head injuries, or head injury may not be immediately apparent.
What happens to the body after a bike accident?
A range of physical and emotional effects can occur, including shock, pain, and psychological distress.
What are the risks of injuries for cycling?
Risk injuries include head injury, trauma, spinal cord, and brain injury, internal bleeding, organ damage, fractures, dislocations rib fractures, dental fractures, lacerations, and nerve damage.
How common are bicycle-related injuries?
Bike, and crash-related injuries, bicycle injuries, road rash, and bicycle helmets and fatalities are prevalent, with an estimated 467,000 bicycle accident-related injuries and 857 deaths in the US in 2018.
What percentage of accidents are caused by cyclists?
Cyclists are responsible for less than 10% of crashes involving bicycles and motor vehicles.
What percent of bicyclists get injured?
About 29% of bicyclists experience at least one eye injury in their lifetime. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2020, there were 425,910 emergency department-treated injuries associated with bicycles and bicycle accessories. Of these injuries, 29% were eye injuries.
What are the statistics on bike deaths?
Worldwide, there were approximately 54,000 bicycle-related deaths in 2016. In the US, 857 bicycle-related deaths occurred in 2018.
What are the most serious bicycle injuries and accidents caused by?
Most bicycle accidents are caused by human error, but other factors such as defective bicycles, poor road conditions, unclear traffic laws, and lack of dedicated bike infrastructure can also contribute to bicycle accidents and injuries.
What is the trauma after a bike accident?
Trauma after a bicycle accident can encompass a range of physical and emotional effects, including shock, acute stress disorder acute trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and phobias. These issues may lead to long-term disabilities due to physical and emotional distress, including injuries and bone fractures.
What is the most common cause of a bicycle collision?
Distracted driving by motorists or cyclists is the most common cause of bicycle collisions.
We Are Here to Help You
Safety and awareness are paramount when it comes to bike accidents. Prioritize protective measures and responsible riding. At The Jones Firm, Dax understands the unique challenges cyclists face in accidents. He brings a personal touch to this subject, knowing firsthand that bike accidents can happen often and result in significant injuries.
For more guidance or to share your experiences, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to assist you every step of the way. Stay safe on the roads!
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