Many Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents use bikes for fun, exercise, or transportation, but bikers often share crowded roads with negligent drivers. Someone else’s negligence can cause dangerous accidents, which result in serious and potentially life-altering injuries. Unfortunately, bicycles do not offer riders much protection, and a bike accident can cause catastrophic injuries such as broken bones, concussions, brain damage, spinal cord injuries, or even death.
If you were involved in a bicycle accident, you should consider your legal options by speaking with a Pennsylvania and New Jersey bike accident attorney. You can schedule a free consultation with a Spear Greenfield bicycle accident injury attorney by calling us or filling out an online form. This appointment will pose no pressure, stress, or obligation, just information. We will utilize the time to learn more about your case and inform you about your legal options.
Review Your Legal Options Following a Bicycle Accident
When a cyclist is injured in an accident with an automobile, they often want to hold the driver liable for their negligence. This can be done by filing a personal injury claim, which could hold the negligent driver accountable for their actions. This filing of a claim would involve navigating through a detail-oriented legal process and collecting the necessary evidence.
At Spear Greenfield, our firm excels at navigating a complicated legal process and succeeds at representing clients in their fight for that entitled bicycle accident compensation. Allow Spear Greenfield’s bike crash lawyers to help you navigate the legal process. Below, we have listed some initial steps that link to additional information to assist you in beginning the process.
A bicycle accident injury can occur more often than many people think, and the consequences of these crashes can be severe. A look at some recent statistics can shed more light on this topic.
For instance, were you aware that approximately 2% of traffic fatalities in the U.S. each year result from bicycle accidents? The total death count was 843 in 2019, and 79 of those were children. 520 individuals died without helmet use and 127 died with helmet use, showing the importance of wearing a properly fitting helmet while riding. The remaining 196 deaths were unknown.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), there were 819 reported bicycle crashes in the state in 2020, resulting in 22 fatalities. Approximately 22.7% of the bikers involved in accidents with motor vehicles were between the ages of 20 and 34. Additionally, 9.4% of the injuries and 13.6% of the fatalities occurred in cyclists between the ages of 55 and 64.
The figures from this report reveal bicycle mishaps represent about 0.8% of reported road accidents and 1.9% of fatalities. Specifically, there were 799 injuries and 22 deaths related to bicycle crashes. If you obtain physical or emotional damage from one of these events, you may be able to file a bicycle accident injury claim.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Besides a helmet, bicyclists have little protection from falls resulting from a vehicle collision. A bicycle accident lawyer can determine if you may be entitled to bicycle accident compensation when suffering any of the following injuries:
Head:Â Even when wearing a helmet, a cyclist can experience a severe injury. A hard impact can result in a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury or concussion.
Eyes:Â While conscientious riders typically don a helmet, they may neglect to wear eye protection. A bike accident could lead to temporary or permanent vision loss.
Neck and back:Â Cyclists who land awkwardly on their neck or back could experience a significant spinal column injury limiting their mobility.
Broken bones:Â The brutal force when colliding with the vehicle, ground, or stationary object can lead to a fractured arm, leg, or ribs.
Lacerations and contusions:Â Cuts and bruises are typical results in many bicycle accidents. A severe cut can cause substantial blood loss, creating a potentially life-threatening situation.
Internal:Â A crash may cause injuries to vital organs like the heart, liver, spleen, or lungs.
Death:Â Sadly, the combination of blunt impact and the massive weight of a speeding vehicle can lead to a fatal injury for cyclists.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
While accidents are frightening and shocking, it is crucial to remain calm after a bike crash. A clear head ensures you follow the necessary steps to keep the accident scene safe, build your case, and protect your compensation. These steps can include the following:
Move the bicycle off the road to a safe place to avoid additional accidents.
Do not apologize, accept blame, or negotiate with the other driver involved.
Contact both law enforcement and medical services to ensure the accident is properly documented and injuries are tended to properly.Â
Do not downplay injuries in your initial statement as the injury severity may worsen in the days or weeks following an accident.
Complete an accident report with the police.Â
Obtain contact and insurance information from other involved parties in the accident.
Document the accident, which includes the time, location, events, and environment. This documentation can be accomplished by taking pictures or video of the wreckage as well as noting road and weather conditions.
Gather witness information for testimonies.
To learn more about the necessary steps following an accident, please click the link below.
All motorists have the obligation to drive safely and be aware of others sharing the road, including bicyclists. Having a smaller area and considerably less protection than cars, a bicyclist is already vulnerable when sharing the roads. When a driver is negligent, the already vulnerable bicyclist can be seriously harmed. Several different factors can contribute to bicycle accidents, including:
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Reckless driving
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Distracted driving
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Drunk or drugged driving
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Illegal driving
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Poor road conditions
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Drowsy driving
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Lack of a cycling lane
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Inclement weather
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Proving Liability
A bicycle accident injury case can involve an extended legal process filled with nuance and complexity, so it can be overwhelming to determine where to start. To begin an initial exploration of the legal process, including evaluating cyclist injury attorneys and the necessary information to bring to an initial legal consultation, please click on the link below.
Taking bicycle safety precautions and practicing safe riding can decrease the chances of a serious accident. It is important to pay attention to surroundings and to perform pre-ride safety checks, because bicycles offer less protection for riders. Below is a list of safety tips that can come in handy:
Perform precautionary checks before riding. Ensuring your bike is ready prior to each ride is important. Some examples of precautionary checks are to test the brakes, check the tire pressure, and inspect your bicycle chain.
Respect the flow of traffic. The expectations of riding a bike do not differ from driving a car. Always ride in the same direction as traffic and use the proper hand signals to inform motorists of maneuvers, such as turns.
Always wear a helmet. Helmets are one of the few safety precautions available to riders. While wearing any helmet will increase your safety, it is best to use helmets that meet the standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Obey all traffic laws and rules of the road. Rules of bike riding do not differ from rules of driving. Cyclists should abide by bicycle laws and traffic signs, obey traffic lights, avoid blind spots, and not ride under the influence.
Make yourself visible. Wearing bright colors allows you to be seen by other motorists. If you are riding at night, use reflective gear so you can be seen in the dark.
Pay attention to your surroundings. When riding, ensure you are constantly paying attention to the road, the surrounding vehicles, and the driving environment. Since bikes have more maneuverability than cars, you may be in a better place to ensure you are not involved in an accident than the vehicles around you.
Discover more about personal injury case basics, including a straightforward blueprint of the legal process.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey have various safety laws that a bicycle accident attorney can clarify.
Pennsylvania
PennDOT has established a set of laws for bicyclists and vehicle operators in Pennsylvania to follow. For example, motorists must allow a distance of at least 4 feet when passing a cyclist while maintaining a “prudent” speed. Additionally, anyone under the age of 12 must wear a helmet when riding. Operating a bike between sunset and sunrise requires a front light and side and rear reflectors visible from 500 feet.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, motorists and cyclists must adhere to Title 39 under the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations laws. One provision states that a bicycle operator or passenger under the age of 17 must wear a safety helmet. All bikes must contain a brake that can cause the wheels to skid when stopping on dry pavement and a bell or other device that is audible more than 100 feet away.
Get Your Free Consultation
At Spear Greenfield, we understand the difficulties that come with bicycle accidents, such as physical injuries and extensive damages. In your time of need, Spear Greenfield’s bike accident attorneys will act as your advocates at every stage of the legal process. Our firm is proud to fight for your compensation with the promise of always going the distance and never selling you short!
To schedule a free consultation, which will allow our legal team to learn more about your case and provide you legal options, please complete the form-fill below. This appointment comes with no pressure or obligation, just information.
The Process of Determining Liability and Compensation in a Bicycle Accident
Of the several injuries that may occur in a bicycle accident, head injuries are one of the most common. If you are suffering from head trauma or have sustained any of the injuries listed below due to another party’s negligence, there is a good chance you are entitled to financial compensation.
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Dislocated joints
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Fractured bones
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Dental fractures
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Eye trauma
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Muscular strains
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Facial contusions
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Soft tissue injuries
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Road rash
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Neck injuries
To recover bike accident compensation, you will first have to satisfy the burden of proof by proving your injuries were caused by another party’s negligence. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can help you effectively gather and present evidence on your behalf. Some of the most valuable types of evidence can include pictures/videos of the accident, medical documents detailing your injuries, and police reports.
Any accident involving a bicycle should prompt a consultation with an attorney to explore legal options. To learn more about when to involve a bike accident attorney or to explore legal counsel, click on the link below.
Meeting the burden of proof can be challenging. If you are the victim of a bicycle-related crash in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Spear Greenfield are ready to help. We have a long and successful track record of achieving favorable outcomes for our clients. Our firm has years of experience in recovering compensation for people who are suffering due to another’s negligence.
Other reasons to select our law firm include the following:
We prioritize clients: The clients’ best interests are always our top priority. We will work hard to pursue justice and fight for your legal rights. We will strive to attain the maximum compensation via settling with an insurance company or going to trial.
We are thorough: Our team will guide you through every step of the legal process. Our meticulous attention to detail enables us to gather the essential facts to support your case and attain a favorable outcome.
We are knowledgeable: We have experience with the most common types of personal injury cases, ranging from vehicle and bicycle accidents to medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, slip-and-fall incidents, and many others.
Learn more about what makes Spear Greenfield your best choice for a bicycle accident attorney in PA and NJ.
Contact Us to Schedule a Free Bicycle Accident Injury Consultation
Why take a chance hiring another personal injury attorney to handle your bicycle accident case? Spear Greenfield’s experience and successful track record speak for themselves.
Our team brings more than 200 years of combined experience to every personal injury situation. We understand the physical, financial, and emotional toll these incidents can take on accident victims. We also know that these effects can linger for months or even years. We will work hard to alleviate your burden and obtain the maximum payout, helping your life return to normal.
Take the next step by contacting us to set up a free, no-pressure initial consultation today. We will ask the appropriate questions to attain the facts surrounding your situation and help you explore all available legal options. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t pay legal fees unless we win your case and collect payment on your behalf. Reach out to us today – our lawyers are standing by.
