Bicycle accidents are traumatic experiences that can leave the cyclist with terrible injuries, expenses, and confusion about what to do next. It’s imperative that you seek legal options from those who will protect your rights and fight to get you fair compensation for what you’ve been through. Thomas Law Offices has skilled Louisville bicycle accident lawyers who will hold the negligent party accountable and make sure your settlement will cover the expenses of what the accident has caused you.
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How Do Kentucky Bicycle Wrecks and Injuries Happen?
A bicycle wreck can occur whenever a driver is negligent. This can include if they’re not following the rules of the road or aren’t used to sharing the road with cyclists. Regardless of the reason, they should have been acting responsibly and should never have injured you. Here are a few ways that negligent drivers cause bicycle collisions.
Distracted Driving
One of the biggest concerns with drivers is if they’re driving while distracted. This is when the driver is using or doing something that takes their hand or hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, and attention off of driving. Currently, cell phones are a major issue that cause many accidents. Drivers who are texting, making phone calls, or even using their device as a navigational system can cause bike collisions.
But devices aren’t the only distraction. Some drivers may be running late for work or for an appointment and decide that they will try to get ready while they’re in the car. Flossing, applying makeup, or any other personal grooming routine takes a driver’s eyes completely off the road. They may not even see a cyclist near them until it’s too late.
Eating and drinking also keep a driver from being safe on the road. It’s safest to just wait until you arrive at your destination to eat. If you’re on a long road trip, it’s tempting to get your food and keep going. However, stopping to eat is a safer option because you won’t be distracted, and you’re giving yourself a break from driving and can walk around and stretch your legs.
Aggressive Driving
Some drivers may not like it when cyclists are sharing the road with them. However, sometimes bike riders don’t have a choice if there isn’t a sidewalk or path present. Drivers may feel that they are more entitled to the lane and refuse to yield or give the cyclist the space they need to ride safely.
There could be a driver who doesn’t feel this way about cyclists but still drives aggressively. Speeding is illegal and puts others on the road in danger because someone speeding can easily lose control of their vehicle.
Aggressive drivers may also disobey traffic signals. They could try to beat a light and end up running a red or race through a crosswalk. Cyclists who are paying attention to traffic signals may see that they have the right of way, but not expect a reckless driver to cause a wreck.
Driving While Intoxicated
Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol will have a reduced ability to make coherent decisions while driving. They’re not just a danger to cyclists because they could veer off and cause a collision with anyone. Driving while intoxicated is illegal and people who choose to do it should be held accountable for their actions.
Driver Didn’t See the Bicyclist
Bicyclists are considerably smaller than cars. Inexperienced drivers may not notice them in their blind spots or have good judgment when gauging how far they are from a cyclist next to them. Unfortunately, this can lead to a couple kinds of accidents.
- Side-Swipe. A car going past a cyclist may hit them on the side, causing an accident.
- Turns at Intersections. Drivers turning at intersections may look to see if the roads are clear of other drivers, but not those riding bicycles. Unfortunately, these accidents can be severe for cyclists.
- Rear-End. A driver not paying attention to the road in front of them may not see a cyclist in front of them and not have enough time to brake before hitting the rear tire of the bike.
- Time of Day. When the sun is coming up or going down, it can create a glare that makes it difficult for drivers to see cyclists.
- Dooring. When cars park, drivers and passengers alike do not often check around them before opening doors that are facing traffic. Sometimes, a cyclist is riding by and the driver hits them with the open door. This can cause terrible injuries and possibly be life-threatening.
No matter what kind of accident, the results can be disastrous for the cyclist. This is why it’s imperative that you get legal representation you can trust, so you know you’re protecting your best interests.
Cyclists Are at Risk of Severe Injury
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC), reported that there are 1,000 bicyclist fatalities and 130,000 injuries every year. Cyclists don’t have the protection that a car provides—the body of the car absorbs most of the crash impact, the airbags prevent people from colliding with parts of the car, and the seatbelt keeps them in place. A cyclist may only have a helmet to protect them, while their body is mostly exposed.
Because of this, a cyclist can sustain severe injuries that harms their brain, neck, or spinal cord. These injuries can have long-lasting effects and may even have permanent consequences that the cyclist will have to make major life adjustments for.
They may also suffer from temporary but still painful broken bones and lacerations. They will heal, but it will take time. When a cyclist is injured, they will likely have extensive medical bills that they will need to pay off. The financial pressure after a crash can be a lot to deal with, but that’s why your attorneys in Louisville are here to stand up for you.
Learn How Thomas Law Offices Can Help You
When a bicycle accident puts your life on hold, know that there is help out there for you. The lawyers at Thomas Law Offices will do everything possible to get you the compensation you deserve. All you have to do is give us a call. From there, you can get peace of mind that you’re protecting your rights.
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