Suffering from the injuries that a traffic accident can cause is an overwhelming situation. If a bicycle was involved in the accident, the rider may have gotten hurt.
Your entire life could change in the blink of an eye. Therefore, being extremely careful while riding a bicycle in The Bronx is essential. However, riding a bike carefully does not guarantee safety because many people engage in careless behavior, increasing the risk of deadly accidents.
You should receive fair compensation if you or a family member were in an accident due to someone's negligence. This compensation will help cover the losses you have incurred.
An experienced Bronx bicycle accident lawyer is the right professional to assist you in such incidents. You will need an advocate to fight for you while you recover from your injuries.
Bicycle Accident Laws in the Bronx
Understanding traffic laws is crucial for both cyclists and motorists to prevent accidents. Bicycles are considered vehicles in the Bronx, and cyclists must follow the same rules as drivers.
This means stopping at red lights, obeying stop signs, and yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks. Cyclists should ride with traffic and show their turns to let others know what they plan to do.
Drivers must leave three feet of space when passing cyclists, and everyone on the road should be careful to prevent accidents.
Bike lanes offer designated spaces for cyclists to ride safely, but they have specific regulations. In the Bronx, cyclists should use marked bike lanes whenever they are available.
If there is no designated bike lane, cyclists should ride as close to the right-hand curb as possible unless it's unsafe. Motorists should not park or drive in bike lanes; they must be aware of cyclists when crossing a bike lane.
Additionally, pedestrians should refrain from walking or standing in bike lanes to avoid accidents.
Cyclists in the Bronx have rights that protect them on the road. If they are injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, they have the right to seek compensation for their injuries and damages.
Cyclists in accidents should gather evidence at the scene, like taking pictures of the accident spot, vehicle, and injuries.
Seeking medical attention promptly is also essential for documenting injuries and ensuring the well-being of the injured cyclist.
Importance of Hiring a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
After a bicycle accident in The Bronx, you should hire a bicycle accident lawyer to be heard and protect your rights. Insurance companies and at-fault parties may try to downplay your injuries or shift blame onto you.
An experienced attorney will uphold your rights and advocate on your behalf. They collect proof, talk to witnesses, and handle insurance communication so you can concentrate on healing.
The legal process can be complex and overwhelming, especially when dealing with injuries and medical expenses. A skilled lawyer in The Bronx will guide you through the legal procedures.
They will help you with the claim process, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and ensure you meet all deadlines and requirements. They will also avoid any problems that could hurt your case.
Seeking fair compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages from the bike accident is essential. A good lawyer will evaluate your losses and create a strong case to get you the most money.
A bicycle accident lawyer knows how to establish liability by gathering evidence, reconstructing the accident, and identifying negligent parties. They will assess your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain, to ensure that you receive adequate compensation. They will evaluate your medical costs, lost wages, and pain to ensure you are adequately compensated.
They will negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement, and if necessary, they won't hesitate to take your case to court to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Not having the right lawyer can lead to low compensation, being blamed for the accident, and getting nothing, leaving you with the consequences of others' neglected actions.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in the Bronx
Car Collisions:
One of the most common causes of bike accidents in the Bronx is car collisions. Accidents happen when drivers don't give way to cyclists or don't notice them when turning or changing lanes.
Distracted driving, speeding, and running red lights are significant contributing factors. A car hitting a cyclist can cause serious harm. This harm includes broken bones, head injuries, and damage to the spinal cord.
Dooring Incidents:
Dooring incidents happen when a driver or passenger of a parked car opens their door without checking for oncoming cyclists. In the Bronx, narrow streets and limited parking spaces can lead to more dooring accidents.
If a cyclist hits a car door that opens suddenly, they may be thrown off their bike. This can result in them going into traffic, which can cause serious injuries.
If a cyclist hits a car door that opens suddenly, they may be thrown off their bike. This can result in them going into traffic, which can cause serious injuries.
Hazardous Road Conditions:
Unsafe road conditions can significantly contribute to bicycle accident cases. Potholes, uneven surfaces, gravel, debris, and poorly marked bike lanes pose hazards to cyclists.
Inadequate signage and lack of proper lighting can also lead to accidents, especially at night. Local authorities must keep roads safe. If a dangerous condition causes an accident, they can be responsible for injuries.
Failure to Yield to Cyclists:
Drivers in the Bronx may fail to yield the right-of-way to cyclists at intersections or when turning, leading to collisions. Cyclists have equal rights and duties to other drivers, and drivers should be mindful and considerate of them. Ignoring cyclists' rights to the road can result in devastating accidents.
Types of Injuries in Bronx Bicycle Accidents
Bike riders can get seriously injured when they crash into other vehicles. This is because they don't have enough protection. They only rely on a helmet and pads for their knees and elbows.
Head and Brain Injuries:
In bicycle accidents, head injuries are among the most severe and life-threatening. Cyclists can get brain injuries when they hit their heads on the road, in a car, or something else in a crash.
Concussions, skull fractures, and contusions are common head injuries. Even if cyclists wear helmets, they may still suffer from head injuries in high-impact accidents.
It's important to get medical help right away for any head injury. Symptoms may not appear immediately, but quick diagnosis and treatment can stop more problems.
Orthopedic Injuries:
Cyclists in accidents often sustain orthopedic injuries, such as broken bones, dislocated joints, and sprains. The impact of a collision can cause fractures in the arms, legs, wrists, and shoulders.
These injuries can be painful and require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. Seeking medical attention promptly is vital to assess the extent of the injury and initiate appropriate treatment.
Spinal Cord Injuries:
Bicycle accidents can result in severe spinal cord injuries, leading to partial or complete paralysis. When a cyclist's spine is impacted in a crash, it can damage the spinal cord and disrupt nerve function.
Spinal cord injuries often have life-altering consequences, affecting mobility, sensation, and organ function. Immediate medical attention is critical to stabilize the wound and prevent further damage.
Soft Tissue Injuries:
Soft tissue injuries, such as cuts, bruises, and abrasions, are common in bicycle accidents. Although these injuries may seem minor initially, they can be painful and cause complications if not adequately treated.
Accurate records of soft tissue injuries are important for proving the severity of the accident and for obtaining compensation.
Internal Injuries:
Internal injuries can be life-threatening and may not always be apparent immediately after an accident. Cyclists involved in high-speed collisions with vehicles may suffer internal organ damage, internal bleeding, or ruptured organs.
These injuries require urgent medical attention and diagnostic tests to identify and address potential complications.
Bronx Bicycle Accident Compensation
Whenever there is an accident, there are two types of damages involved. One of them is pretty easy to calculate. It is just a matter of showing the bills that the accident generated.
Those are the economic damages, such as Medical expenses that include current medical bills for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and other necessary treatments.
There is also property damage; the victim's bicycle and any other damaged property may be eligible for compensation. Another economic damage is the loss of wages.
If the bike crash causes injuries that prevent the victim from working, they may receive compensation for their lost wages. This compensation is intended to compensate for the income they cannot earn due to their injuries.
This includes lost wages and potential future income affected by ongoing disabilities or limitations caused by the accident.
On the other hand, noneconomic damages are difficult to calculate because of their intangible nature.
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium are noneconomic damages.
Contact a Bronx Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The Ward Law Group is proud to count on a group of professionals who have proven successful in their cases. We have the finest bicycle accident attorneys in the Bronx to assist you in this overwhelming time of stress and pain.
For over a decade, the Ward Law Group has won multimillion-dollar settlements for its clients. Each of our personal injury attorneys strives to deliver high-quality representation.
Contact us now at 855-DOLOR-55 for a free consultation on your case.