Jacksonville is a great place to ride around and get some fresh air, whether for exercise or commuting. Though there are risks that all cyclists must be aware of — most often the behavior of others, particularly drivers. Getting into an accident with a vehicle while riding a bicycle can leave a rider with severe or debilitating injuries since a bike offers no structural protection against an impact. In addition, there is a second impact when the rider hits the ground after their first contact with the rider’s vehicle.
Suppose you have been involved in a bicycle accident that someone else caused, whether while operating a motor vehicle or engaging in any other behavior that led to your crash, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. However, the first step to building a comprehensive case is partnering with an attorney, something that can be frustrating to a victim who is trying to recover from their injuries while suffering from significant pain and many complications in their life at the same time.
Contact 1-800-Injured To Connect With a Jacksonville Attorney Today
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. Instead of spending the time and energy reaching out to Jacksonville law firms and hoping to hear back from someone, we can make the connection for you and schedule you for a free initial consultation with a proven attorney who is ready to take your case. While we are making this connection, you will focus on your recovery and needs without the added stress.
Read more about bicycle accidents below, and contact us as soon as possible to be connected with an attorney in your area who will fight for the money you deserve.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
The following are a few of the many possible causes of bicycle accidents. This list is not exhaustive, and if you do not see the cause of your accident listed below, simply contact us, and we will connect you with a lawyer who can help you make sense of your situation and your legal options moving forward.
Distracted Driving
When we hear “distracted driving,” we typically think of texting while operating a vehicle, which is one example of this dangerous behavior but only one of many activities that someone may be engaging in. Distracted driving covers any action (or inaction) that takes a driver’s mind or eyes off the road or their hands on the wheel, meaning that even daydreaming in traffic is technically distracted driving.
Failure to Yield
The right of way can be a contentious point between cyclists and drivers, and many drivers may decide to take any action when a cyclist has the legal right to continue traveling in their lane. This can include various situations, but these failures often stem from a driver being unaware that a cyclist has a right to the entire street of travel when there is no marked or protected bike lane.
Turning Across Bike Lanes
Many drivers may forget that there is an active bike lane along the right side of the road they are traveling on and not check their mirrors before taking a right at an intersection, leading to the cyclist riding broadside into the vehicle. This type of collision can lead to serious facial injuries, broken bones in the arms, shoulders, and even the spine, among a range of other potential injuries that may be permanent or even life-threatening.
Left Turns
Like motorcycles, bicycles take up less space in a driver’s field of vision and may lead them to commit to a left turn without realizing that there is oncoming traffic with the right way. As a result, when a driver turns across an intersection and into a cyclist, they may drive into the cyclist, or the cyclist may be unable to take sufficient corrective action to avoid the vehicle as it crosses into their lane of travel, leading to severe injuries.
Aggressive Driving
Most cyclists are aware that there can be a certain level of animosity between drivers and cyclists. Sometimes this can lead to a driver making dangerous maneuvers like trying to run a biker off the road, blocking a cyclist out of their lane of travel, or refusing to yield to a cyclist trying to get around the vehicle. There are many other aggressive maneuvers that a driver can make that put a cyclist at significant risk, each of which is a criminal violation and can lead to a civil case in the event of an accident.
Lane Changes
When a driver checks their mirrors to make a lane change, they may not notice a cyclist in a blind spot before they commit to the maneuver. As such, they may move right into an oncoming cyclist and either knock them off the bike or could even drive over them. In addition, cyclists are often at an increased risk of lane change accidents because they do not have a horn to alert the driver that they are there, and shouting may not carry over closed windows and a radio.
Partner With an Attorney To Build a Strong Case
Personal injury law, including bicycle accident claims, is complicated, and working with an attorney is one of the best ways to navigate this process with an increased chance of success. Working directly with an insurance company can be an extremely frustrating process and one that is designed to favor the insurer. However, with the knowledge that the insurance company is working to reach a low settlement as quickly as possible, you can understand why working with an experienced legal professional is one of the best ways to get through this case by building the strongest argument possible for a fair and comprehensive settlement. Contact 1-800-Injured today to get started on your case with legal support as soon as possible.