More and more people are turning to bicycles for commuting to and from work and school or for fun. While this mode of transport is an excellent way to protect the environment and run your daily chores, there is the question of road safety. What happens when you get into an accident on a bicycle? Can you seek compensation for your bicycle accident injuries?
According to research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), bicycle accidents were responsible for over 500,000 visits to the emergency room in 2019. Here is a detailed breakdown of these accidents.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact us to learn how our Huntington Beach Personal Injury Attorneys can help you.
Common Types of Bicycle Accidents
In the busy cities of California, it is not uncommon to see bicyclists and drivers sharing the road. Many of these encounters are uneventful, but the negligence of one driver could prove fatal to a bicyclist. Some of the most common types of bicycle accidents in Huntington Beach include:
- Car Door Opening
Drivers rarely watch for cyclists when exiting their vehicles and may open their door causing an oncoming cyclist to crash into it. This is one of the scariest bicycle accidents because it allows very little time for the cyclist to react.
- Car Turning Left
These accidents are commonly referred to as ‘the left cross.’ They refer to when a driver attempts to make a left turn in front of a cyclist and strikes their bicycle on the side or causes the bike to slam into the side of the car.
- Car Turning Right
Car turning right accidents often happen at intersections when the light changes. When an aggressive driver tries to cut off a cyclist while turning right, they may cause an accident.
- Rear-End Collisions
Although rare, these accidents commonly occur at night on roads with low visibility or during the day when a driver tries to pass too close to a cyclist.
Resulting Injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 1,000 bicyclists were killed and 467,000 others injured in 2015 in the United States. Non-fatal injuries resulted in lifetime medical expenses and productivity losses of up to $10 billion.
Bicycle accidents, like any collisions, tend to vary in nature and severity. While one cyclist may escape with nothing but bruises, another may suffer spinal cord damage. The following are the most common bicycle accident injuries:
- Bruises, cuts, and lacerations
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Internal organ damage
- Broken or fractured bones
You may be unable to determine the exact scope of your injuries immediately after a bicycle accident. Ensure you receive medical attention right away and keep up with all your doctor’s appointments.
Consult a Huntington Beach Personal Injury Attorney
Data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that over 780 people were killed as a result of bicycle accident injuries in 2017. While tragic, a bicycle accident doesn’t have to be fatal to significantly impact your life, which is why you need elite legal representation.
The Huntington Beach Personal Injury Attorneys at ElDabe Ritter are ready to defend your right to compensation. Contact us at 888-540-0325 to schedule a consultation today.