Bicycle / Pedestrian Accidents
Injured In An Accident?
Living in warm weather climates has its perks when it comes to bicycling and walking everywhere. Riding bicycles and walking also has many health benefits and is simply fun to do. Unfortunately, riding a bicycle or going for a walk is riskier than driving a car as you are exposed to potentially catastrophic injuries in the event you are hit by another vehicle. Unlike being in a car, there is no protection from the impact when another car hits you. Injuries can be serious and permanent, including broken bones, brain injuries, road rash, and even death. Get Your Free Consultation
What Causes Bicycle / Pedestrian Accidents?
Every year, over 5,000 pedestrians die and tens of thousands more are injured in accidents each year. Thousands of bicyclists are also killed or injured in accidents each year. Bicycles are considered “vehicles” when riding on the roadways and vehicle motorists are obligated to share the road with bicyclists. In many places such as South Carolina and California, bicycles are not permitted to be ridden on sidewalks – they must ride either in designated bike lanes or on the road lane itself. This can put bicyclists at unique risks when competing with vehicles that weigh thousands of pounds traveling at much faster speeds.
Likewise, pedestrians are often required to walk on sidewalks and crosswalks but many times there are not enough safe areas for pedestrians to travel through. Pedestrians are at an increased risk because of how exposed their bodies are to a violent impact of another vehicle.
Some of the most common causes of Bicycle / Pedestrian Accidents are:
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Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has become an epidemic on our roadways and is now the leading cause of car accidents for the past several decades. Whether it’s cell phones or eating, sometimes drivers do not pay attention to the roadway while they are driving. Bicyclists and Pedestrians are even more vulnerable when drivers take their eyes away from the road.
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Speeding
Going 5-10 miles per hour over the speed limit may not seem like a big deal, but it can often be the difference between life and death. When it comes to avoiding a bicyclists or pedestrian, going even slightly over the speed limit can be the difference from a driver being able to stop or turn, or causing serious injurie or death.
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Stop Sign Collisions
Stop signs require drivers to stop, but many times a driver will simply “roll through” thinking the coast is clear. What they often fail to see is a bicyclist or pedestrian crossing the road at the same time they are running through the stop sign.
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Cross-Walk Collisions
Stop signs require drivers to stop, but many times a driver will simply “roll through” thinking the coast is clear. What they often fail to see is a bicyclist or pedestrian crossing the road at the same time they are running through the stop sign.
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Making Turns
Often times, we find out that the person who caused a Car Accident was not wearing their prescription eyeglasses or contacts as required by law. Usually, they’ll say something at the scene like “I didn’t see you! I don’t have my glasses!” The law requires those who have poor eyesight to wear corrective lenses while operating a motor vehicle.
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Driving At Night
When a vehicle makes a left-hand turn, it cannot always accurately judge the speed and distance of the bicyclists and pedestrians that may be in front of them. On a right-hand turn, vehicles often cut off bicyclists and pedestrians trying to “beat them” to get through the intersection.
What Should I Do If I’m In An Bicycle/Pedestrian Accident?
First, don’t panic. Whether its bicycles, pedestrians, cars, motorcycles, boats, trucks, buses, trains, or commercial vehicles, we handle Bicycle / Pedestrian cases every day in our offices nationwide. We know the ins and outs of the insurance business and the tricks they often employ to get you to take little to nothing after an accident. We will always fight to get the money you deserve. The three most important things to do after an accident are:
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1) Stay Calm At The Scene
A Bicycle / Pedestrian accident can be an especially traumatic event. Many times, our instinct to panic and start talking takes over. It’s important that you remain as calm as possible during this time so that you can collect all of the evidence you may need to prove you were not at fault for the accident. This includes taking photographs of both vehicles, getting the insurance information from the person that hit you, and getting the driver’s license information. If the police arrive, cooperate with their investigation and make sure to preserve your bicycle and any clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident. Get Your Free Consultation
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2) Seek Medical Attention
The most important thing for you to do after being in a Bicycle / Pedestrian Accident is to seek medical treatment immediately. Although you may feel fine after the initial accident, many times you will not know the extent of your injuries until days and weeks later when the adrenaline wears off and your body adjusts to the trauma of the crash. Many injuries such as herniated discs in the neck and back will not be realized until weeks and months later and only show up on an MRI well after the injury. That’s why it is important to document the accident and injuries immediately and make sure you are getting the best health care possible. Get Your Free Consultation
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3) Contact an Attorney
Finally, it is important to call an attorney for a free, no obligation consultation. Insurance companies do not like it when you “lawyer up” because they know they will no longer have the opportunity to trick you into taking little to nothing for your case. The insurance companies will try to scare and intimidated you into taking a quick and easy settlement. Don’t fall for their traps. You owe it to yourself and to your family to get maximum recovery for your injuries. Get Your Free Consultation
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Filing Insurance Claims
Insurance companies are not your friend and they are not in business to pay out claims. Quite the opposite, insurance companies often “low ball” or straight out deny legitimate claims. The other party’s insurance company may call you as soon as the next day after the accident knowing you are shocked, scared, and injured. Beware. Before talking to an insurance company after an accident, understand that anything you say or do can and will be held against you later. You are under no obligation to talk to the other party’s insurance company although they may tell you that if you don’t, they can’t pay your claim. This is a trap that the insurance company wants you to fall for so they can use it against you later. This is why it is important to talk to an attorney before talking to any insurance company or making your claims.
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Pursuing A Bicycle / Pedestrian Accident Case
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you deserve get the best representation possible. At Yanni Law, we never charge for consultations and only take a fee if we win your case. You pay no money up front and we only take a fee if we win your case. Having the right lawyer in your corner can be the difference between getting fair compensation for your injuries or taking little to no money that does not represent the harms and losses you have suffered in the accident. We will fight to get you compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, property damage, and more.
