When cyclists are hit by a car, they often suffer catastrophic injuries. In fact, in 2018 alone, over 50,000 bicyclists were injured and 857 were killed in traffic accidents. Many of these crashes are caused by motorists who failed to yield at stop signs or traffic signals. Since bicyclists have little protection other than their bicycles and gear, a collision can leave them with crippling injuries. As a result, recovery can take months or even years. Meanwhile, they face mounting medical bills, time off work, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Injury statistics
Injury statistics for bicycle accidents show that the number of cyclists killed in traffic crashes has increased dramatically in recent years. The number of bicycle fatalities has tripled since 1975. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly eight hundred cyclists died last year. Bicycle accidents are especially deadly because bicycle riders lack the protection of a car or truck.
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Bicycle accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Some are minor, while others are severe. For example, bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles or trucks are much more common than those involving pedestrians. In addition, bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles often involve multiple vehicles.
Damages in a bicycle accident
Bicycle accident injuries can be serious and debilitating. In addition to pain and suffering, these accidents can lead to impaired speech, vision, hearing, or dental problems. These problems can also affect a victim’s ability to work and maintain their lifestyle. To receive compensation for these losses, a bicycle accident victim must file a personal injury claim.
Bicycle accident compensation covers lost income, future earning capacity, medical expenses, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and ambulance costs. It can also cover expenses for personal belongings. It also covers the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged bicycle.
Ways to prove fault in a bicycle accident
A bicycle accident may occur when the driver of a car hits a bicyclist, causing injuries to the bicyclist. There are several ways to prove that the driver was partially to blame for the collision. Bicyclists have to follow certain traffic rules and wear protective gear in order to avoid being hit by a car.
Bicycle accidents are especially common among children. They are more susceptible to injury than adults and make up a large proportion of all bicycle accidents. As such, the law is much more complicated for bicycle accidents involving young children. The first element in establishing a negligence case involving a bicycle accident is the driver’s duty of care. If the driver fails to yield to the bicycle, he is deemed negligent and responsible for the accident. Other factors that may qualify as driver negligence include changing the music or texting while driving.
Getting compensation after a bicycle accident
If you are involved in a bicycle accident and are injured, you may want to seek compensation from the other party. In some cases, you may need to miss work or medical appointments due to your injuries. In these cases, you can ask for compensation for your lost wages and lost future income.
To obtain compensation for your injuries, you need to prove that you were injured by the negligence of the other party. The compensation you seek will include compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In some cases, you can also seek non-economic damages.
