Bicycle Accident Lawsuit Lawyers
When cyclists travel the streets of New York City and other New York cities, riders face dangers that include impaired, distracted, speeding, and otherwise negligent drivers. Bicyclists are afforded none of the protections of passenger vehicle occupants, such as seat belts, airbags, and reinforced passenger compartments. Because bikes lack the speed and handling of a passenger vehicle, riders cannot execute evasive maneuvers to avoid a potential collision as well as drivers of automobiles. This higher risk of being involved in a collision and the lack of vehicle safety features expose cyclists to potentially catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage, loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death.
If you are a cyclist, you know that rude or inattentive drivers can threaten your safety. Indifferent or antagonistic drivers often view bicyclists as an annoyance that disrupts the flow of traffic. This hostility by drivers toward cyclists often takes the form of aggressive driving. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Speeding or driving too fast in inclement weather
- Crowding bicyclists off the roadway
- Failing to check for bikes when opening car doors
- Drunken or intoxicated driving
- Distracted driving
- Disregarding traffic signals or stop signs
Despite the lack of safety equipment available for bicyclists, wearing a helmet can make an enormous difference in a bike crash. While New York requires riders, especially children, to wear a helmet, some states do not require riders of any age to use head protection. Given the vulnerability of bicyclists to suffering a traumatic brain injury when struck by a vehicle, riders of all ages can benefit from strapping on a helmet.
Helmet use is important because many fatal bicycle accidents involve traumatic head injuries (TBIs). Approximately 80,000 people per year are treated nationally in emergency rooms for TBIs. While parents make their children wear a helmet, many adult cyclists elect to take their chances. Unfortunately, this choice to shun head protection can be extremely risky given that 88 percent of those who suffer fatal injuries in bicycle accidents are adult bicycle riders according to Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Health officials report that nine out of 10 cyclists killed in accidents do not wear head protection. Further, bicycle helmet laws have been estimated to reduce the risk of head injuries by 85 percent.
If you or a family member have suffered an injury in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, an experienced car accident lawyer can assess your situation and evaluate your right to financial compensation for your injuries.
CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
Were you or a loved one harmed in a bicycle accident? Parker Waichman LLP helps their clients recover full monetary compensation for harm caused by negligent truck drivers. Trust your case with our bicycle accident attorneys. For a free consultation, contact our law firm today by using our live chat or calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
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Sources:
https://www.nsc.org/safety-first-blog/bicycle-safety-statistics-may-surprise-you
