Bicycle Accidents

Bicycling is a popular pastime, as well as a necessary mode of transportation for many people. According to the U.S. Bicycling Participation Benchmarking Study Report, most Americans would like to ride more often but do not because of the risk of being hit by a motor vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most serious types of bicycle accidents happen with cars or other motor vehicles. In 2017, 783 cyclists were killed in motor vehicle accidents. The following are key statistics regarding cyclist fatalities:

Bicycle fatalities occur most often in the evening between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Alcohol was involved in 37 percent of all fatal bicycle crashes in 2017
Seventy-five percent of all bicycle accident fatalities occurred in urban areas

Where are Bicyclists Most Likely to Get Hit by a Car?

Bicyclists are most likely to get hit by a car at an intersection. Often, an accident happens because the driver does not see the bicycle. The following are important guidelines for bicyclists to avoid accidents on the road:

Maximize your visibility
Maintain a proper lookout when approaching an intersection
Obey all rules of the road and always ride with traffic

When a bicyclist is hit by a motor vehicle, it is not always the case that the driver is at fault. Bicyclists may be liable if they were riding against traffic or disobeying other rules of the road.

Electric Bicycles

Electric bicycles pose a threat to New Jersey cyclists in different ways. While there are certain things to take into consideration, like whether the bicycle helmet you own is sufficient and whether you need insurance, there are also other issues like which roads are safer for cyclists travelling at those higher speeds. Depending on the speed of the cycle, you may need to register it with the State. Additionally, many cities and counties in New Jersey have bike paths. It is essential to know whether your cycle is permitted on these types of routes. If you sustained injuries on an electric bicycle, the attorneys at the D’Amato Law Firm can help you get compensation and help you understand the law.

When are Drivers Liable for Injuries?

In a collision between a motor vehicle and a bicycle, the driver may be liable for injuries sustained by the bicyclist if the driver is found to have been negligent due to the following:

Passing too closely
Failing to yield if the cyclist had the right-of-way
Driving in a designated bike lane
Speeding, running a red light, or otherwise disobeying traffic laws

A person in a parked car may be held liable for opening a car door directly in the path of an oncoming cyclist.

Bicycle Accident Injuries

There are serious injuries that a bicyclist may suffer in collision with a motor vehicle, including the following:

Brain injuries
Spinal injuries
Broken bones
Muscle and tissue damage

If the driver of a motor vehicle is found to be liable for an accident, the bicyclist may have the right to financial compensation to pay for medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages. To help avoid injury, those riding bicycles should maximize their visibility, obey traffic laws, and never ride against traffic.

If you are seriously injured in a bicycle accident, seek medical attention immediately. If you are able, capture as much information as you can about the road conditions, location, and details of the accident. As soon as possible, seek the guidance of an experienced bicycle accident attorney to determine if you have a valid personal injury claim.

Egg Harbor Township Bicycle Accident Lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm Help Victims Recover

If you have been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation to accelerate your recovery. To find out, contact the experienced Egg Harbor Township bicycle accident lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm. We will spare no effort to help you obtain justice. From our offices in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, we represent accident victims throughout Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, and Woodbury. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 609-926-3300 today.