Most Americans love to bike. It’s not only an excellent, eco-friendly mode of transportation, but it also allows us to get to and from places faster. In the United States, studies suggest that approximately fifteen percent of people will ride a bike at some point during the year. That means largely forty-five million people every year participate in biking of some sort, whether it be to and from work, or just to enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise.
However, biking accidents happen far more frequently than we may want to acknowledge. In the midst of heavy traffic and busy streets, cars can be reckless and unaware, posing a serious danger to the people who choose to travel by way of bike. With nothing more than a helmet (if that) protecting them, cyclists take to the roads putting full faith that drivers will pay attention to them. While most bike rides may go according to plan, there are always exceptions. Drivers on the road are people and they are prone to making mistakes. It is important that when these accidents do happen and cause you injury, however, that you know all the facts necessary in order to create a case and ensure you get your fair compensation in court.
If you believe that your bike accident was caused by another vehicle or negligence of somebody else, then it may be in your best interest to reach out to Cohen & Cohen, a team of skilled personal injury lawyers working together to successfully serve residents of Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and the surrounding areas.
What are some of the most common ways a bike accident can occur?
Every bike accident is different. After all, if you suffer any injury as a result of an incident on your bike that you feel was caused by someone else, then you may be entitled to getting your compensation. However, there are a few widely agreed upon ways which experts reveal are most common to getting into an accident. The results may surprise you.
Hit by a Door Biking accidents happen often when a bike is a passing a parked car, only to get hit by a door swinging open. A lot of the time, car riders after parking their car on the side of the road, do not pay much attention to the lane next to them, which may be where a biker is riding. When these drivers swing open one of their doors without looking, a bike rider may get seriously injured.
Right Turn Cutting Off A Bike A lot of streets have designated bike lanes in the furthest right lane. When a car does not pay attention, they may make a quick right turn, cutting off the bike rider in the lane next to them. This, too, can cause serious injuries for the biker.
Poorly Maintained Roads Some common bike accidents do not even involve another vehicle. There are many cases in which bikers may ride onto poorly maintained streets with potholes, which can cause them to crash.
Not Stopping at Red Lights, Stop Signs, or Yielding When vehicles on the road do not follow the clearly indicated signs for them to slow, yield, or stop, bikers are subject to serious injury. It is important for the drivers on the road to pay attention to instructions for driving so they do not accidentally hit a bike rider.
If you or someone you love has suffered from a common bike accident injury that you believe was caused by someone else, it may be in your best interest to reach out to Cohen & Cohen and we will happily set you up with an experienced attorney on out team.
