How To File For a Personal Injury Case After a Bike Accident and Injury

Are you a cycling enthusiast who hesitates to take your bike out? You are not alone. Your fears are not unwarranted either. In today’s traffic woes, a biker is often at risk. According to a Federal Government Study, around 800 deaths occur a year due to bike accidents and there are more 48,000 personal injuries reported from bike accidents every year.

A similar study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that between 2008 and 2012, around 3,300 cyclists were killed in road accidents. Most of the bicycle accidents were caused due to collision with cars.

Why you should care

If you love biking, then these are the statistics that will alarm you. Yet, that need not stop you from enjoying your bike ride. Learn ways to ride your bicycle safely. Observe traffic rules. Be responsible. Despite taking all precautions, you may be still at risk because there are errant drivers who may drive under influence or may flout basic traffic safety rules.

If you have suffered injuries in a bike accident due to an errant driver, you are eligible for compensation. In such a case, you should speak to an experienced personal injury attorney. They will help you get the best claim and you could also bring the wayward driver to book.

At the same time, with effective bike safety rules, you can avoid accidents and enjoy cycling.

Safety tips for a safer and happier bike ride

Abide by the rules: Obey every traffic rule. When you follow traffic rules, the chances of an accident are greatly reduced. The chances of a collision are reduced when you bike in a defined lanes and follow rules. Also, if you happen to be negligent, then you may not be entitled to legal compensation. So, follow the rules and abide by the safety regulations in the book.

Choose the right bike: It is better to use a bike that is apt for city roads rather than an adventure bike for cycling across cities. Check the bike’s condition before venturing on your cycling trip. Carry a tool kit with you in case there are any breakdowns during your journey, you may be able to at least take care of it until you reach a repair shop. Another very important point while choosing a bike is that you should ride only those bikes that you are comfortable with handling. Such bikes will be easier to ride and lot more comfortable to maneuver and control.

No headphones please: While on the road, you have to keep your ears free to be able to hear sounds of vehicles around you. You also need to be mentally alert. So, any form of distraction can be dangerous.

What to wear and what not to: Wear a good quality bicycle helmet to ensure your head is protected. You should always wear tight-fitting clothes and also ensure that there are no scarves or any other piece of clothing hanging out of your bag.

A common excuse given by drivers when they have caused an accident is that they did not see the biker. Do not let this happen to you. Be visible. Wear bright clothes that will draw attention. Fit reflectors on your bike so that your bike is visible to everybody on the road.

Look for intersections: One of the most dangerous spots for cyclists is intersections but by following traffic rules and safety precautions, you can ensure that you cross intersections safely.

The safety checklist:

• Use the complete lane and not just the edge to be visible to others.

• Respect pedestrian lanes. Get off from your bike if you have to cross such a lane.

• Keep a safe distance from stationary vehicles or parked cars.

• Utilize proper hand signals in busy traffic and while taking a turn or crossing.

• Use bright lights to increase visibility at night.

• Look not just ahead but also behind you.

A bike accident can be as dangerous as a car accident. It could you leave you with permanent injuries or even cause death. Bike accident injuries are included under personal injury, which if proved, will have the insurance company or the owner of the vehicle who caused the accident pay for your damages.

Ensure you take all precautions to ensure your safety on the road while biking. Alvin de Levie can help you if you've been in a personal injury accident! Contact us today at 844-777-2529.