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What Should I Do If I Hit a Bicyclist While Driving?
What should you do if you are involved in a collision and hit a cyclist with your car?
Collisions between drivers and bicyclists can be severe, injuring or even killing the cyclist. It is essential to know what to do if you are involved in such a collision.
The first thing you should do is make sure that everyone involved is safe and check on the cyclist and see if they need medical attention. If they do, call 911 immediately and wait for help to arrive. Once everyone is safe, you should gather information from the scene.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Get the name, phone number, and insurance information of all parties involved. Take pictures of the scene and any damage done to vehicles or bicycles.
Our personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, can offer legal help if you are involved in a car/bicycle accident that causes injury to a bicyclist. Call our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers toll-free at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free legal consultation.
Bicycle Accident
Bicycle accidents can result in minor scrapes, bruises, permanent disabilities, or death. In the case of a severe accident, it is crucial to receive immediate medical treatment.
It is also vital for cyclists to know their legal rights if they are ever involved in an accident with a motorist.
According to a study published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 150,000 bicyclists were injured, and an estimated 5,000 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States during 2009.
The Federal Highway Administration estimates roughly 765 bicycle crashes every day, accounting for 2% of all automobile crashes.
Bicycles are considered vehicles, just like cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Bike lanes, which cyclists and drivers share, resulting in more crashes than nearby streets with no bike lanes. Researchers at the University of Colorado found.
Adhering to Traffic Laws
Bicycles are required to follow the same rules of conduct on public roads but do not require any driver's license, insurance, or license plates. If you hit a cyclist with your car, you may be liable for damages. While the drivers' negligence causes most accidents, there are other causes. Our personal injury lawyer in Illinois could help you understand who is at fault.
The Aftermath of a Bike Accident
Should you hit a cyclist with your car while driving, you may be asked to take a blood and urine test to detect drugs and alcohol. Motor vehicles involved in a collision with a bicycle rider will often be blamed; after all, they weigh several times more than a person on a bicycle and can cause far more damage.
The law enforcement agency of the state where the crash occurred should be contacted immediately; you should never leave the scene of a collision without making an effort to contact law enforcement.
Insurance Company in a Bike Accident
When involved in an accident on a bicycle, it can be emotionally draining and worrisome to receive medical attention for the injuries.
However, there are times when injuries require medical treatment, and immediate personal injury protection needs to be started.
This is especially important if the person was not at fault in the accident. Still, because their injuries require immediate medical treatment, they must file a personal injury protection claim with the insurance company of the person who hit them.
Contacting the Insurer
Sometimes, the claim can be filed with the other person's insurance carrier. However, if they are underinsured or have no insurance, it is essential to file a claim with one's own insurance company.
If an insurance adjuster from the other party's insurance is on-site, they should advise the involved parties to file a claim with their insurance carrier if they cannot get in touch with the other party's insurance.
Our law firm has vast experience in various practice areas such as personal injury, medical malpractice, verdicts, and settlements. The experience in diverse practice areas gives our law firm a cutting edge to deal with complex legal matters. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
Bicycle Accidents: What You Need to Know
The road can be dangerous for cyclists, and the number of accidents involving cyclists is on the rise. Although a bike rider has the right to expect that a driver will respect their right of way, it's often not the case.
When a bicycle rider is injured in an accident with an automobile or truck, the injuries can be severe and life-changing.
Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in bicycle crashes. Large vehicles and bikes pose a significant danger to one another, and drivers who aren't prepared to share the road can cause serious injury.
When you are involved in an accident while cycling in a bike lane, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries if the other driver was negligent.
An accident can occur at any time. A rider is especially vulnerable when not moving quickly, such as when riding in traffic or at an intersection. A rider needs to be aware of the risks involved and take steps to protect their interests.
Most bike riders do not wear helmets, and only half wear other protective gear such as bright colors and reflective clothing. Although it is not required by law to wear this gear, wearing these items can help reduce the effect of an accident.
Our experienced lawyers can offer you a free case evaluation about your legal options if you or a loved one has hurt a cyclist in a bicycle accident. Our attorney understands the stress and anxiety that comes with being involved in an accident, so besides offering you a free consultation, he will listen to your concerns patiently and respectfully.
The At-Fault Party
The at-fault party in a bicycle crash is usually the driver of an automobile, who failed to yield to a bicyclist while making a turn. The at-fault driver can cause the cyclist’s injuries even when the cyclist has the right of way.
An at-fault cyclist in a bicycle crash can be responsible for damages and injuries to the other party involved if they fail to follow basic safety guidelines.
The at-fault party and the other party may agree on a fault allocation by a settlement agreement. Still, the final determination is based on an investigation by police and a review of medical records.
This conclusion follows from the appeal court's ruling in a case involving two cyclists who collided with each other. If you hit a cyclist with your car, you may be legally liable and held responsible on criminal charges if you failed to keep a proper lookout or disregarded a road sign.
A car accident involving a cyclist is always unfortunate, but when the car's driver is at fault, said accident becomes even more tragic. If you admit fault in a car accident, your insurance company will adjust the cost of your claim. Even if he's partially at fault, a cyclist has legal rights in a bike accident because a cyclist is entitled to use the road.
The Accident Scene
Before the police arrive, the car owner has the right to move the car, so it is no longer in the middle of traffic. The problem is that if you move a vehicle involved in an accident, it may no longer be possible to determine the cause of the accident.
If you hit a cyclist with your car, you should ensure that he accesses medical care immediately to prevent further complications. When the police arrive, they assess the position of the motor vehicles involved in the accident and ensure the bike rider gets medical care for his bodily injury.
Our attorney can offer you a free legal consultation to navigate the legal system if you hit a cyclist with your car.
Cyclists Road Safety
A cyclist riding on a side street should always ride in the direction of traffic, even when using a contraflow cycle lane.
The easiest way to lessen the risk of injury is to wear a helmet and a reflective jacket. Also, proper lighting keeps cyclists visible. In addition, you should keep a safe distance; otherwise, you can easily hit a cyclist with your car.
A bicycle crash can cause serious injuries, and if you or a loved one has hurt another road user, seek a free consultation from our law office to explore your legal options. Our bicycle accident attorney here at the Law Offices Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, has extensive experience representing those involved in motor car accidents.
Car Accident Statistics
Car accidents are a leading cause of death and severe injuries in the U.S. Here is a collection of car accident statistics:
- Every year there are 6 million car accidents in the United States. That is 16,000 accidents every day!
- Every hour, 210 people are injured in car accidents.
- Every year, 30,000 people die as a result of car crashes. That means that someone dies in a car accident every 13 minutes!
According to certain studies, there are also some interesting numbers related to the types of car accidents:
- 51% of all fatal crashes are due to running red lights or stop signs, speeding, and other acts of reckless driving.
- Drunk drivers cause 9%.
- 84% of all crashes occur within 25 miles of home.
Additionally, the Insurance Information Institute (III) published data about car accident-related injuries and medical bills:
- In 2016, the estimated cost of motor vehicle injuries was $432 billion. That's equal to an $1850 "pre-paid" insurance premium for every man, woman, and child in the U.S.
- Car crashes are the leading cause of death for people aged 4-34 years old.
A cell phone is sometimes to blame in cyclists accident cases. Consequently, the property damage from bicycle-related crashes in the United States from 1998 to 2013 was an estimated $3 billion.
Economic Impact of Bikes Damage
Property damage due to a bike accident can be expensive.
According to a study done in Copenhagen, the average cost for property damage during a bike accident is $1,022 (USD), while the average cost in the U.S. is $2,222 (USD). If you hit a cyclist with your car, consult your attorney before accepting legal responsibility.
Injuries Due to Cyclists Crashes
The cyclists' medical treatment is the focus of a new study by the Yale School of Medicine, which indicates that bicycle crash victims are frequently under-treated for their injuries.
Hiring an Attorney for Legal Advice After Hitting a Cyclist
You've just been in an accident and hit a cyclist with your car. What do you do now?
You may be wondering if you need to hire a lawyer and what that would entail. We understand that this is a difficult time and you have any questions. That's why we're here to help.
We want to ensure that you get the best legal advice possible after an accident. We have years of experience helping people in your situation and know how to achieve the best outcome possible.
Contact our office today toll-free at (888) 424-5757, or fill out a contact information form online for a free consultation! Our lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don't have to pay us unless we win your case.