Bicycle accidents are often caused by motorists who aren’t paying attention to the roadways or shared biking lanes. If you are hit while you are riding a bicycle, you will most likely suffer severe injuries and require immediate medical attention.

If you are injured in a bicycle accident, it is important to have the proper documentation produced for you by a law enforcement officer, documenting the accident and any subsequent injuries. This documentation will help support your accident injury claim in a court of law and may help you pursue payment of medical expenses and other damages.

Motorists driving cars, trucks, and other vehicles should always be on the lookout for bicycles. The most common ways people are injured in auto/bicycle accidents include:

• Left-Handed Turns: When drivers of motor vehicles fail to signal that they are making a left turn, this can lead cyclists to believe the vehicle is continuing straight on and that they can pass through the intersection safely. These injuries can also occur if a motor vehicle driver neglects to look prior to making a left turn and does not see a cyclists coming forward.
• Open Door Collisions: Cyclists riding in road ways may be hit by a driver or passenger opening their door abruptly without looking to see if a cyclist is en route.
• Backing Up: Motorists back out of driveways or parking spaces abruptly without examining their surroundings.
• Merging or Changing Lanes: Motorists don’t properly check their lanes as they merge or change positions can injure a cyclist that may be in a blind spot.
• Passing Cyclists Without Ample Space: When motorists see cyclists on the road and wish to pass them, but don’t allow enough room between their vehicle and the cyclist, causing the cyclist to be knocked off of their bike or the road.
• Intersection Collisions: Cyclists may enter intersections safely, but motorists neglect to look for them as they enter or pass through an intersection.
• Unsafe Roads: Potholes, construction, and other damage to roads can cause unsafe traveling conditions for cyclists, causing injury.

To avoid injury as a cyclist, you should always wear bright, reflective gear, regardless of the time of day you are traveling. Also, flashing lights should be installed onto a bike to attract the attention of motorists. Most importantly, cyclists should always wear helmets to help protect against severe head injury.

Cyclists and motorists should be aware of their surroundings at all times, but motorists are protected by a vehicle and typically have more of an opportunity to avoid accident or injury, whereas a cyclist has little to no protection. Bicycle accidents can result in serious injury, including:  concussions, fractures, spinal injuries, contusions, abrasions, internal bleeding, and even death.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a cycling accident, contact the bike accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Glen S. Barry, P.C. to schedule a free bicycle injury consultation.