Bicycle Accidents
We’ve all heard the expression “share the road.” But all too often, this practice is completely ignored. Aggressive driving and distracted motorists create dangerous situations for everyone traveling nearby, and especially for people riding bikes. You may have followed all of the traffic rules, and been alert and on-guard for road risks. Yet sometimes, there’s simply no avoiding someone else’s error.
Even the most experienced cyclists are subject to injury when other people are careless on the road.
For many bicycle accident victims, there’s a general feeling of just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In addition, there can also be a profound sense of injustice. If you or your loved one was injured on a bicycle due to someone else’s negligence, please contact our team for a free consultation. You could be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering.
Duepner Law offers free consultations for personal injury cases. There is no fee unless we recover a settlement for your claim.
Call Now for Your Free Consultation: (317) 886-4304
Injured While Riding a Bike?
The aftermath of any type of accident can be traumatic. With bicycle accidents, though, you aren’t only dealing with the immediate outcomes and short-term effects. There could also be long-term medical concerns, along with massive hospital expenses. So when you followed all of the traffic rules and did your part to stay safe on your bike, it doesn’t seem fair to have the pain and suffering that an accident can cause physically, emotionally, and also financially.
More than 130,000 bicyclists are injured every year, and nearly 1,000 die because of on-the-road accidents.[1]
For many of us, cycling is a convenient mode of transportation, as well as a great form of exercise. Around the greater Indianapolis area, we’re fortunate to have access to plenty of recreational bike trails. However, there’s no reason why riding a bicycle would be restricted to areas without motorists. Cyclists should be able to safely enjoy riding on both trails and roadways, whenever permissible.
Unfortunately, cycling can prove to be a relatively risky activity. Males account for 89% of all bicycle deaths, over eight times the fatalities for females.[2]
If your family is struggling after a terrible bicycle accident, our personal injury attorneys may be able to help ensure that no one forces you into an unfair settlement, or leaves you to deal with the bulk of the medical expenses and other losses all on your own.
Working with us is completely free if we don’t recover an injury settlement on your behalf. Please contact our attorneys to learn more about your options.
Start with a 5-Minute Call: (317) 886-4304
Types of Bicycle Accidents Caused by Vehicles
At Duepner Law, we believe that the rights of cyclists need to be protected just as fiercely as those of any other motor vehicle accident. Even when taking all of the best precautions, bicyclists ultimately have very little protection in the event of an accident with any type of motor vehicle, and terrible injuries can occur at any speed.
The following scenarios describe the common ways that a vehicle could cause an accident with a cyclist. If any of these situations apply to you or your loved one, please contact us for a free consultation regarding your personal injury case. Call Duepner Law: (317) 886-4304
VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO OVERTAKE A CYCLIST
Some drivers lack patience, and so rather than wait for an appropriate time to pass a cyclist, they barrel forward without creating a sufficient buffer or checking for other oncoming motorists. When this happens, the cyclist could end up getting sideswiped by the vehicle or struck from behind. Victims can then be knocked off balance and thrown from their bike, or even run over.
The number of preventable deaths related to bicycle transportation will often peak in July and August, but threats on the road are present year-round.[3]
VEHICLE TURNS IN FRONT OF A CYCLIST
Poor motorist judgment at an intersection is a common cause of bicycle accidents. The driver may be approaching a right turn while a cyclist is riding to the right, or the driver could be crossing into a left turn just as a cyclist rides past going the opposite direction. The vehicle could then end up turning in front of the cyclist, either because the driver didn’t see the cyclist or because they mistakenly thought that the cyclist was far enough away to avoid a crash.
VEHICLE PULLS OUT IN FRONT OF A CYCLIST
These accidents typically occur when a vehicle is pulling out from a side street or parking lot. They could also be backing out of a driveway while a person on a bike is passing. As a result, the cyclist may be forced to swerve into traffic, or they might end up colliding with the side of the vehicle, which could result in any number of injuries. If this type of negligence harmed you while riding your bike, please don’t hesitate to contact our team to discuss your potential options for securing the appropriate compensation for any of your related medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Duepner Law offers free consultations for personal injury cases. There is no fee unless we recover a settlement for your claim.
Call Now for Your Free Consultation: (317) 886-4304
VEHICLE RUNS A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN
Other dangers for cyclists at intersections involve vehicles running red lights or disregarding stop signs. It’s particularly concerning when drivers fail to honor the right of way even when the road has a designated bike lane. When you or a loved one has been harmed by a motor vehicle while riding a bike, please don’t hesitate to call our attorneys. During a free consultation, we’ll be able to start addressing your most pressing questions regarding a personal injury claim.
Let’s Determine Your Potential Case Value
Riding a bike means you get to enjoy the open road, outside of an enclosed car or truck. The downside, though, is that drivers often fail to create an adequate buffer between their vehicle and cyclists. We have laws in place to hold drivers responsible for preventing accidents and watching out for cyclists on the road. If you believe you are owed compensation for your injuries after a bike accident, we’re here to help answer your questions.
Please contact us for a free consultation. By taking on your case, we can help you and your loved ones secure what you’re owed.
Call Duepner Law for Your Free Consultation: (317) 886-4304
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/bicycle/index.html
[2] https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/bicycle-deaths/
[3] https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/bicycle-deaths/