Loudoun County Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Riding a bicycle is a great way to get around and exercise, but it can also be dangerous. Many drivers are not used to sharing the road with bicyclists, and this lack of sharing can pose a threat to the safety of anyone on a bike.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a bike accident, hiring an experienced Loudoun County bicycle accident lawyer may be in your best interest.
Bicycle accident cases can be complicated, and more than likely, you will have to face an insurance company at some point. Having a skilled personal injury attorney on your side can certainly work in your favor.
Why Do Bicycle Accidents Occur?
Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are common in virtually every part of the country. Irresponsible and reckless drivers often fail to take the safety of others into consideration, and when they get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, they pose a threat to bicyclists.
Most urban and many suburban areas have designated bike lanes and crosswalks, but inattentive drivers often veer into these lanes and strike law-abiding bicyclists. Other causes of bike accidents include:
- Driver inattentiveness (ex: texting or tampering with the radio while driving)
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding or driving recklessly (refusal to follow traffic laws)
- Driver inexperience
- Following too closely to bicycles
Drivers are expected to maintain a safe distance from bicyclists, but sadly, many do not. Irresponsible acts like speeding, running traffic lights and failing to give the right of way to bikes also contribute to the high number of bike accidents.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
There is no doubt about it – bicyclists are far more likely than drivers to suffer from life-threatening injuries. Like pedestrians or motorcyclists, bicyclists are relatively unprotected, and when a multi-ton vehicle strikes them at a high speed, they may not survive the impact. Bicyclists are required to wear helmets, but even with the right protective gear, they are highly likely to sustain an injury if a crash occurs. Basic injuries, such as broken bones, concussions, bruises, and lacerations are common, but so are the following severe injuries:
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Severe nerve damage
- Hemorrhaging
The injuries above can lead to profound medical complications, paralysis, and in the worst cases, death. These conditions are often expensive to treat, but with help from a Loudoun County bicycle accident lawyer, you may be able to obtain compensation.
Young Children and Bicycle Accidents
When riding through a residential area, shopping center, or school zone, motorists are expected to exercise a higher degree of caution. Drivers in these areas are far more likely to encounter children on bicycles, and due to their young age, children do not possess the same judgment or reasoning skills as adults.
Often, they fail to look both ways before biking across the street, which increases their chances of being hit by a car or truck. When a bike accident occurs, most courts will take the age of the bicyclist into consideration, and even if the driver is not at fault, they may be held liable if the person on the bicycle is a minor.
How a Loudoun County Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Assist You
If you are presently recuperating from a bicycle accident, you may not be considering filing a personal injury lawsuit. This is understandable, but if you want to hold the person or company responsible for your accident accountable financially, you will need to hire an attorney and fight for your rights. Call a Loudoun County bicycle accident lawyer to get started.
