Bicycle Accidents Lawyers in Columbia Help You Seek Compensation

Cruising on the streets is an enjoyable pastime — and sometimes the primary mode of transportation — for bicycle riders across the country. However, a pleasant afternoon ride or morning commute can turn into a disaster in a split second. Bicycle accidents fall under the larger umbrella of personal injury law, and a bicycle accident attorney works with riders injured due to someone else’s negligence and represents them in the civil courts.

If you’re interested in talking with a bicycle accident lawyer, contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation. Our accident lawyers can help you understand whether you have a case and what kind of financial compensation you may be able to get through the courts.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents?

Bicycle accidents are extremely common in South Carolina, with more than 500 incidents reported on average each year in just this state. The vast majority of bicycle accidents also result in injuries, ranging from road rash to brain damage. A smaller portion of these accidents results in death. If a bicycle crash kills a bicycle rider, the family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation.

Just because accidents with motor vehicles and bikes are common doesn’t mean that there aren’t steps you can take to hold the at-fault parties liable. Contact a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash to find out your options and what you should do next.

What Are Some Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

While bicycle riders are usually cautious when they are out on the road and are aware of the dangers that other drivers can present, there’s no way to mitigate the risk of an accident completely. In many cases, the motor vehicle driver is at fault, but here are other scenarios that can cause a wreck. Below are a few of the common causes of bicycle accidents.

Distracted Drivers

Distracted drivers, driver negligence, and drivers who don’t obey traffic laws when it comes to bicycles are huge contributors to bicycle accidents. For example, a driver who doesn’t give enough space around a rider in a bike lane or a driver who doesn’t check their blind spot to ensure it is clear of any bikes before changing lanes could both result in serious injuries to the rider. The increase in cellphone use while driving has also had an impact on bike accidents, as more drivers may not be paying attention to their surroundings.

Collisions With Objects

It’s also possible for bike accidents to occur as a result of the rider colliding with a stationary object. While it’s important for bicyclists to keep an eye on what’s around them and maneuver around other objects, there are times when it may not be possible, or the rider sees the object too late. For example, bicyclists may crash into car doors opened suddenly by someone in a car.

Poor Road Conditions

Just like with motor vehicles, road conditions are extremely important when it comes to the safety of a bicycle rider. Poor road conditions due to weather or construction can increase the likelihood of bicycle crashes. Wet roads are slippery, which can cause issues for both motor vehicles and bicycles, and construction can mean bumpy roads with debris that can injure riders or make a crash more likely.

What Are Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?

An accident between a bicycle and a motor vehicle can be especially catastrophic for the rider. Because of the major differences between the size, weight, and velocity — and the fact that bicycle riders have very little protection against the impact — bicycle accident injuries are often serious. Some of the common bicycle accident injuries are discussed in more detail below.

Brain and Head Injuries

Even when a rider is wearing a helmet, bicycle accidents can result in traumatic brain injury. If a rider is thrown from the bicycle or their head takes most of the impact, it can cause serious brain damage.

Spine Injuries

It’s possible that when a rider is thrown from the bicycle during an impact, they could land on their spine. This can cause serious injury, including permanent paralysis. If you were the victim of a bicycle accident that caused spinal injuries, it’s important to talk to a bicycle accident attorney about what you may be able to do to seek compensation for injuries and medical bills.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are some of the most common injuries of a serious bicycle accident, mainly because bicycle riders have little to no protection against the impact. Even if they just hit a car door, the impact is strong enough to break a leg or arm.

Who Is at Fault for a Bicycle Accident?

Determining fault in a bicycle accident is important and often a first step to finding out if you may be able to file a claim. In motor vehicle accidents, the auto insurance provider makes the final determination of who was at fault. While many accidents are the result of a negligent driver and, therefore, the fault of motor vehicle drivers, bicycle riders can be named at fault in some cases. For example, bicycle riders must still obey the rules of the road, and if not following those rules causes an accident, they could be at fault.

If you have concerns about who was named at fault for your accident and what that might mean for your case, talk to a firm that has experienced bicycle accident lawyers.

What Do I Need to Know About Working With Bicycle Accident Lawyers?

The most important thing to know about working with a bicycle accident lawyer after a bike accident is that you are a team. While your attorney will do everything in their power to help you seek compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering, you will still need to play an active role in the process by providing as much information as possible and cooperating with your attorney. When you are looking for an attorney to hire, you may want to see if they offer a free consultation or a free case review so you can learn more about the firm and the services they provide.

If you were injured in a bike accident through the fault of another party, you may be able to file a claim against them. Our law firm has bike accident attorneys ready to talk to you about your case and how our services can help. Call 18038882200 to find out more or to schedule a free consultation.