Biking has many health benefits and is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, but bike accidents tend to be brutal. Because there is nothing to shield bicyclists from the impact of accidents, serious injuries are common. Obtaining fair money damages supports a more complete recovery, and an experienced Buffalo bicycle accident attorney is standing by to help.
Bike Accident Statistics
Consider the following sobering bike accident statistics from a recent year that were shared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- Bike fatalities accounted for 2.4 percent of all traffic deaths.
- Bike fatalities rose by a full 21 percent over the prior year.
- 38,886 bicyclists were injured in bike accidents.
Common Causes of Bike Accidents
While every bike accident claim includes its own unique circumstances, the causes often fall into the following categories:
- The motorist failed to check their blind spots for bicyclists or anyone else before changing lanes.
- The motorist failed to check for bicyclists in their midst.
- The motorist was distracted, such as by their phone, and failed to notice the bicyclist on the road.
- The motorist was speeding and, in so doing, decreased the time they had to respond to the bicyclist safely.
- The motorist was impaired and, as such, failed to handle the driving situation safely.
- The motorist was driving aggressively and, in the process, left the bicyclist injured.
- The motorist failed to yield the right of way to the bicyclist in accordance with the law.
- The motorist failed to ensure that it was safe to proceed through an intersection.
Your Physical, Financial, and Emotional Losses
The losses – or legal damages – you experience as a result of a bike accident can be immense, including:
- Medical costs that may include the need for ongoing care related to complications and secondary health concerns
- Lost income that may include a decrease in earning capacity
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering, including the psychological consequences of being harmed in a violent accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence
FAQs
What happens if I share responsibility?
Even if you are partially responsible for the bike accident that leaves you injured, you can pursue compensation for the percentage of your covered losses that the other driver is responsible for.
Will my claim settle?
Your bike accident claim is very likely to settle out of court the way most do. Only if the involved insurance company won’t engage in fair dealings will your attorney advise you to address the matter in court.
What can I do to protect my claim?
The most important step you can take to help protect your claim is securing the legal counsel of a dedicated bicycle accident attorney early in the process.
Work Closely with an Experienced Buffalo Bicycle Accident Attorney
The practiced Buffalo bicycle accident attorneys at Steve Foley Law Firm appreciate how important the outcome of your claim is to your future and are fully invested in pursuing an optimal resolution that supports your most complete recovery. To learn more about what we can do to help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 716-249-2222 today.