Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in New York
Bicycle accidents can result in catastrophic consequences, including debilitating injuries, financial damages, and emotional trauma. Oftentimes, these accidents are caused by the negligence of another individual or organization.
Reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney at Goidel and Siegel immediately if you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a bicycle accident. There may be several parties responsible for these injuries. You may be owed compensation for your injuries, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and/or emotional trauma resulting from a bicycle accident.
Bicycle Accidents Injuries
Injuries resulting from a bicycle accident can be serious because there is little protecting the body from trauma.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries Include:
- Serious Facial Injuries
- Head Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Trauma
- Broken Bones
- Torn Ligaments
- Back Injuries
- Death
These injuries often require extensive therapy and rehabilitation. Some victims suffer debilitating and chronic lifelong injuries.
Automobile Crashes
Crashes involving vehicles and bicyclists are a prevalent issue that has resulted in many fatal accidents. Deaths involving bicyclists and motor vehicles have tripled in recent years. Oftentimes, these accidents are the fault of the motorist and their negligence for traffic laws.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Bicycle Accidents Include:
- Distracted Driving
- Speeding
- Turning w/o Looking
- Failure to Yield
- Ignoring a Stop Sign
- Running a Red Light
- Drinking and Driving
Operating a motor vehicle is a responsibility that many drivers neglect to take seriously. When a person on a bicycle is hit by a moving vehicle, the operator of the vehicle should be held liable for any injuries.
Sideswiping/Crossing/ Turning
The law requires motor vehicles to provide bicyclists with a safe clearance when turning, passing, and when at a stop. Many accidents occur because drivers fail to provide bike riders with a safe amount of space when making these traffic maneuvers.
Automobile Doors
Bicycle dooring accidents occur when an individual opens their door striking a bicycle rider. This is a common issue in cities where bicyclists are forced to ride close to parked vehicles. When this occurs, this puts the bicyclist in a dangerous position. They are forced to either swerve into moving traffic or collide with the vehicle’s door.
It is the responsibility of the individual in the vehicle to make sure it is safe to open doors before doing so. This person is liable for any damages sustained by the victim.
Condition of Roadway
There are cases when poor road conditions are to blame for a bicycle crash. This may include potholes, cracks, or other road issues. City organizations may be responsible for injuries that occur due to unsafe roadways.
Bicycle Rider Error
Some accidents result from errors of the bicyclist, including failure to yield to traffic laws, weaving in and out of traffic, not paying attention. These mistakes are often preventable.
Falls
Falls are a common cause of many bicycle accidents. There are numerous factors that can potentially cause an individual to fall off of their bike.
Possible Causes Include:
- Swerving to Avoid an Animal
- Collision with Another Cyclist
- Striking a Stationary Object
- Slippery Debris
These unexpected obstacles can be prevented if bicyclists practice being observative and cautious on the roads.
Preventing Bicycle Accidents
There are several things that bicyclists can do to prevent accidents and/or lessen the severity of injuries in the event of an accident.
1. Always Wear a Helmet
The majority of fatal bicycle accidents result from injuries to the head. This is why it is critical to wear a helmet every time you ride a bicycle.
2. Follow Traffic Laws
Bicyclists are required to follow all roadway laws, including red lights, stop signs, signaling, etc. This is not only the law, but critical for your safety.
3. Wear Reflective Clothing
Bicyclists should wear bright clothing during daylight hours and reflective clothing at night. This preventative measure will decrease the likelihood of an accident caused by visibility issues.
4. Remain Alert
Bicyclists must ensure that they remain alert at all times, staying constantly aware of their surroundings. Do not text, make calls, or listen to music while biking.
What to Do If Injured on a Bicycle
There are several things bike riders should do in the event of an accident regardless of whether or not they believe any injuries were sustained.
1. Document All Information
Be sure to document any and all information about the accident. Contact the police to file a report at the scene. This report should include names, contact information, and insurance information for everyone involved. Police should also obtain testimonies from any eyewitnesses of the accident.
Take photos and videos of all injuries to yourself, property, and of the cause of the accident.
2. Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even if you do not believe that you are injured. Some injuries, including traumatic head injuries, can take several days before becoming apparent. Going to the hospital is important for protecting your legal right to compensation for your injuries.
3. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible if you or a loved one is injured in a bicycle accident. When you reach out to an attorney they can immediately begin building your case and working with the insurance companies. This will provide you with peace of mind, time to rest, and allow you to begin the road to recovery.
Bicycle Accident Injury Attorneys Goidel & Siegel Can Help
The insurance company is not on your side. Do not accept an offer without first contacting Goidel and Siegel Personal Injury Law Firm. Goidel and Siegel have over 30 years of experience in representing clients who have been injured by no fault of their own. A team of knowledgeable and qualified legal professionals will work hard to get you the compensation that you deserve.
Contact Goidel and Siegel today for more information and to schedule a free consultation.
