Bicycles are an economical, fun, and environmentally friendly mode of transportation. However, bicycle riders remain vulnerable to distracted, negligent, and reckless drivers on the road. Bicycle accidents are a common cause for emergency room visits and are one of the leading causes for head trauma in children.
If you have been a victim of a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Fortunately, our team of experienced, dedicated attorneys are here to help.
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case evaluation with our bicycle accident lawyers.
Common Types of Injuries in Harrison, GA Bicycle Accidents
There are many serious injuries which can result from bicycle accidents that our bicycle accident attorneys can help you seek compensation for. Head injuries are some of the most common, including serious trauma such as brain injury, contusions, hemorrhages and skull and face fractures. Other injuries include those to the extremities, such as hip and tibia fractures. The average hospital stay for a bicycle accident patient is at least two days, according to one study. The use of bicycle helmets can help reduce such injuries.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents
What can cause a bicycle accident? There are many objects with which a bike can collide, subjecting its rider to injuries:
Cars and Trucks
Automobile and bicycles do not mix well. A car is much larger, heavier and faster than a bike, and the bike and its rider are subject to much more damage in a collision between the two. Car occupants are insulated within a metal structure, behind glass, protected by seatbelts, while bike riders have nothing between them and an impact. Therefore, bike riders are highly vulnerable to injuries in the event they are struck by a car. And the accident may be even more severe if a large vehicle or truck collides with a bicycle.
If a bicycle accident occurs, our lawyers will determine who was at fault for the accident. In the case of a car or truck accident, we will determine whether the vehicle driver was negligent. Perhaps the driver was not following the rules of the road, did not keep a proper lookout, or was even driving aggressively or recklessly. Drivers have a legal duty to act as a reasonably prudent person would behind the wheel. And if they failed that duty to you, we will seek to hold them legally accountable.
Other Cyclists
Though automobiles are a common cause of bike accidents, other bike riders can pose a risk to you as well. Bikes and their riders can also travel at high speeds. Between these speeds and the weight of the bikes and riders, collisions between bikes can also be devastating. And just as with auto/bike accidents, at least one person will be responsible for causing the collision. Often, an accident can be caused by one person doing something negligent and reckless and another person not paying attention.
Pedestrians
Even though a pedestrian may face greater injuries than a bike rider in a collision, the pedestrian can still be at fault for the accident. It could simply be because the pedestrian did not look where they were going. Or perhaps the pedestrian attempted to cross the street and abruptly stepped into the path of a bicycle.
Single-Bike Crashes
Perhaps there was no one else involved in the accident at all, and the bike rider simply collided with a stationary object such as a wall or tree. Or maybe the rider was subjected to dangerous conditions which were caused by the fault of others. If a property owner allowed dangerous conditions to exist, which in turn caused injuries to the bike rider, the rider may be able to recover damages from the property owner.
Bicycle Accidents Caused by Defective Bikes in Harrison, GA
In some cases, bicycle riders have been injured when the bike has not been manufactured properly. Bicycles can come apart, such as the steer tube separating from the front fork. If you have been injured in an accident due to a defective bike, you may have claims for negligence, strict liability, breach of express and implied warranties, failure to warn, and other causes of action. Additionally, you should not delay on this or other claims as you may have a limited amount of time before your claims expire.
Injuries from Faulty Bicycle Helmets in Harrison, GA Bike Accidents
A bicycle helmet is of course meant to prevent or reduce injuries caused by bicycle accidents, but a poorly constructed helmet will not accomplish these goals. Lawsuits have been filed against bicycle helmet manufacturers by customers who were injured while wearing the helmets. If there was a problem with your helmet that contributed to your injuries, you could be entitled to sue the manufacturer alongside any other negligent parties that may have caused the accident.
Using Expert Witnesses in Harrison, GA Bicycle Accident Lawsuits
When presenting a lawsuit for faulty manufacturing of a bicycle or bicycle products (also known as a products liability case), the injured party will often need to retain an expert witness. This is usually a professional who has extensive educational or career knowledge in the area they are being asked to testify about. A good expert witness is often considered a thought leader in the relevant field, and will often have published articles about the relevant subjects and given speaking engagements.
A good expert witness will be able to discuss complex medical or scientific subjects and break them down for a jury in an inviting and compelling way, ideally helping the jury to find in your favor. In any defective product case, an expert will usually be needed to explain what went wrong in the design or manufacturing process and why the manufacturer is responsible for the mistakes that caused your injury.
Our Harrison, Georgia Bicycle Accident Lawyers Can Help
For a free case assessment with our bicycle accident lawyers, contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 today.
