Can I claim compensation for a bike accident?
Whether caused by negligent driving or poorly maintained road surfaces, if you’ve been involved in a bike accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to claim compensation.
What happens if I get hit on my bike?
If you’re hit by a car while riding, the at-fault driver’s auto liability coverage may pay for damages and injuries. If you’re at fault in a bike accident, personal liability coverage on your home or renters policy may pay for the damages and injuries you caused, up to your coverage limits.
What should you do if you have a cut from a bike accident?
A bike accident can set you back, especially if you commute to work. While bikes are amazing forms of transportation and exercise, riding a bike can lead to accidents. An accident on a bike can be serious and may require extra care, a trip to the doctor, or even a trip to urgent care. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may need extra assistance. Let’s take a look at the factors you should consider when coping with a bike accident.
Before deciding how to relieve pain from an accident, you need to know what body parts are injured. Bike injuries can lead to scrapes, bruises, broken bones, torn ligaments or tendons, and much more. Once you know how many injuries are sustained from a bike accident, you can formulate a recovery plan.
No matter what type of injury you have, you need to focus on rest and recovery. This means you need to take care of yourself and not put more pressure on injured areas as this can extend recovery time. It’s time to break out your supplies and deal with scrapes and cuts with some antibacterial cream and band-aids. Covering the area can relieve some of the discomforts by reducing air and clothing from rubbing on cuts and bruises.
Next, for injured parts like tendons, ligaments, and bones, you need to practice RICE. The acronym stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. First, start feeling better by resting the injured arm, leg, foot, or hand. Next, ice the area for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every couple of hours to reduce swelling. After, compress the part with a brace, wrap, or special boot to reduce mobility and stop swelling. Finally, elevate the body part above your heart level (especially at night while sleeping) to reduce swelling and drain excessive fluid.
Another great method for dealing with pain is over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen. The first two are anti-inflammatory, while acetaminophen is an analgesic that does not reduce inflammation but blocks pain signals. Also, consider topical analgesics like Bengay, Aspercreme, or Icy Hot. You can also consider homeopathic remedies such as a heat pack, massage, acupuncture, a chiropractor, and herbal remedies to reduce pain.
After a minor bike accident, you need to assess the damage. First, you need to slow down and make sure you are not seriously injured. Next, close your eyes and find out where you feel pain and how intense the pain is for you. See if you can stand, if you can, then it’s definitely more likely to be a minor injury. Next, practice basic first aid. Look for bruises, cuts, scrapes, and road rash. Also, check your bike to see if any parts are sticking out that could harm you when trying to get it home.
Check for a concussion by looking for cracks or bends in your helmet, which could indicate a head injury. If you suspect a head injury, seek help immediately and head to a hospital or urgent care. In addition, you may experience disorientation or confusion that also indicates a head injury.
Can I claim compensation for a bike accident?
Whether caused by negligent driving or poorly maintained road surfaces, if you’ve been involved in a bike accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to claim compensation.
What happens when you have a bike accident?
Riding a bike is a lot of fun. It is also a great form of exercise and an environmentally friendly way to commute. That being said, bicycling can also be dangerous – particularly when it comes to navigating roads filled with careless drivers.
If you are hit by a car while riding your bike, there are some steps that you can take to protect yourself and your right to compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. After getting yourself out of harm’s way, you should seek medical attention immediately. If possible, gathering evidence of the crash and filing a police report can be helpful to prove your claim.
At the Appel Law Firm LLP, we are fierce advocates for bicycle accident victims throughout Northern California. We offer free initial consultations for all prospective clients and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. Reach out to our law offices today to talk to a Walnut Creek personal injury attorney about your case.
No one expects to be struck by a motor vehicle when you’re riding your bike. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are far too common in California. In 2021 alone, 125 bicyclists were killed after being hit by a car.
Directly after a bike accident, you may be shocked and unsure what to do. While it may be challenging – or even impossible if you were seriously injured – there are some things that you can do to protect yourself. If you are able to do so, taking these steps can improve the likelihood of recovering full compensation for your injuries.
Bike crashes typically happen on roadways – which can leave a cyclist vulnerable directly after an accident. If you are able to do so, get yourself to a safe place off of the street or highway. This will decrease the possibility of further injury from another motor vehicle.
Bicyclists are uniquely vulnerable to motor vehicle accidents simply because they lack much in the way of protection. Even if you think that you are not seriously hurt, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the crash. Depending on the severity of your injuries, this may mean calling 911 and taking an ambulance to the hospital.
Getting prompt medical care is critical when it comes to getting the proper diagnosis and treatment. It is also important because it establishes a link between your injuries and the bicycle accident. Your medical records will be key evidence in a personal injury claim.
Too often, insurance companies try to argue that an accident victim’s injuries are due to some other cause. Getting immediate medical treatment can help to ensure that you get fair compensation for all of your losses, from medical expenses to lost wages to pain and suffering.
Even if you don’t require an ambulance, you should still alert law enforcement about the bicycle crash. If you are able to do so, wait at the accident scene until the police officers arrive. The police will investigate the accident and issue a police report that contains details such as:
For example, imagine a situation where the crash occurre
What is the injury rate of bicycles?
The overall male pedalcyclist injury rate was 19 (per 100,000 people), compared with 4 for females. The largest number of pedalcyclist fatalities was in the 60-to- 64 age group.
How common are bicycle accidents?
Bicycling is a staple of the summertime. In a state like Illinois, people have been patiently waiting all winter to bring their bikes out after a long, cold winter. Cycling has become an incredibly popular pastime in the United States – with over 50 million enthusiasts across the country.
But more cyclists on the road means more accidents – involving both bicycles and cars.
What is the risk of a car vs bicycle accident on the road in Illinois?
Drivers and bicyclists are expected to share the road. Collisions between the two are extremely dangerous, even at low speeds. In this post, we want to educate both bikers and motorists on the bicycle vs car accident statistics, and what to do in the event of an accident.
Let’s get rolling.
Chicago has become a haven for cyclists over the years. The city’s bikeways stretch over 300 miles – including protected bike lanes, buffered lanes, shared lanes, neighborhood bike rights, and off-street trails. With more accessibility comes more bicyclists on the road, which leads to more accidents. Here are the numbers from CDC data:
Bicycle accidents can happen for many different reasons – some preventable, others not. Chicago is the 3rd biggest city in the United States. The area is known for unsafe drivers and frequent construction. Both of these factors make bicycling extremely dangerous in the city.
The risk of injury and/or death for bicyclists is very high across the board. Motorists will generally walk away from a car vs bicycle accident unscathed. But unlike motorists, bicyclists are not surrounded by four metal walls on the road. Even low-speed collisions can be life-threatening.
Sharing the road is a big responsibility. Both bicyclists and motorists need to be extra careful in following the law and keeping a watchful eye when traveling down city streets.
Being involved in a car vs bicycle accident is an unnerving experience. The key is to have a plan in mind to handle the situation. Generally, it’s advisable to follow the same protocol after a regular car accident. As a motorist, there is a good chance you will need to take the lead – as the bicyclist might be seriously injured.
Safety is THE most important thing – both for the motorist and the bicyclist. As a motorist on a busy street, move to a safe area and put your hazard lights on. If the bicyclist is unconscious, move them to the side of the road.
NEVER drive away after a bicycle accident. Even if you are not at fault, you may be charged with a hit and run.
Documenting the car vs bicycle accident will be very important if you file a personal injury claim. Take pictures of the road conditions, injuries, and so on. You should also gather the contact information of witnesses if possible.
The next step is calling the police to file the report. There will also be a medical team to assess injuries. If you were the bicyclist, get the medical staff to evaluate you immediately. Keep in mind, some injuries take time to become apparent. Even if you feel fine, there might be p