With the rising environmental cost of commuting by car, more and more folks have taken to bicycling where they need to go. And with the advent of more bicyclists on the road, the number of bicycle accidents has likewise increased. Bicyclists are at risk each time they hit the road, since they are generally riding in close proximity to passenger cars, Commercial Vehicles and even big rigs with minimal bodily protection other than a helmet or other safety gear. Although bicycle riders are afforded the same protections of other drivers, that doesn’t always translate to fair treatment by other drivers. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, contact our Bicycle Accident Attorney right away to determine the best course of action moving forward with your claim.
Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
Around 500,000 bicyclists are injured each year, and many hundreds die from the injuries sustained. Of those injured, 85,000 experience injuries to the head, with around 400 of them succumbing to Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) as a result, according to data retrieved from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Other types of common injuries sustained during bicycle accidents include:
- Spinal Injuries
- Open fractures
- Broken collarbones and femurs
- Serious lacerations and cuts
- Concussion
The result of a car versus bicycle accident is rarely a good one. Even with safety gear in place, bicyclists are quite vulnerable to serious injury.
Bicycle Accident Causes
It takes a mere blink of an eye for a bicyclist to be injured on the streets of Bensalem and surrounding areas. Some of the most-often-cited causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Drivers failing to acknowledge bicycle crossings
- Distracted Drivers who text or talk on their cell phones while driving
- Inattention on the roadway
- Vehicles that drift into marked bike lanes
- Operating motor vehicles under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
- Poor visibility or overgrown vegetation
Sometimes there is no vehicle involved in a bicycle accident. Instead the accident is caused by poor conditions of bike paths and lanes, sidewalks and roadways. Slippery pathways, broken surfaces, and debris in the roadway can all result in a cyclist losing his traction on the road and experiencing serious injuries as a result. When accidents of this nature occur, and someone’s negligence caused unsafe riding conditions, you have strong grounds for a bicycle accident claim.
Filing Your Bicycle Accident Claim
Bicycle accident claimants can seek damages for medical bills, rehabilitation and physical therapy, lost income, future wage loss, and pain and suffering in some cases. But that’s only true if your claim is filed with the strict timeframe established by Pennsylvania code. Keep in mind that bicycle accident claims are personal injury claims, and as such, they must be filed within two years of the date of the injury in order to meet the statute of limitations set out by the state of Pennsylvania. If you file after that date, your claim may be thrown out of court.
Get in touch with our legal team to discuss your rights as an injured bicyclist. Our Bensalem Bicycle Accident Attorney can help you identify any litigants in your claim and help you determine the best way to proceed. Schedule Your Case Consultation now.