People sometimes dismiss bike accidents, assuming they are not serious and riders are barely hurt. The truth is that bike accidents are incredibly dangerous, and riders are often severely injured.
Bicycle accidents often happen when drivers in cars are negligent, careless, or distracted. Traffic violations, distractions behind the wheel, or a general disregard for bike riders leads to many bike crashes. After a bicycle accident, you should prioritize getting emergency help from medical and law enforcement personnel. If possible, you should also try to exchange information with the driver who hit you and potential witnesses. An attorney can help you file a personal injury lawsuit where you can claim damages for economic and non-economic losses and injuries.
If you were hit by a car while riding your bike, you deserve financial compensation for your injuries and suffering. Our Murfreesboro, TN bicycle accident attorneys can assist you in your case. For a free case assessment, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Typical Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Murfreesboro, TN
Bicycle accidents can happen anywhere. Bike lanes often run right alongside normal lanes of traffic, and drivers in cars must be mindful of bike riders and share the road. Unfortunately, accidents often happen because drivers fail to look out for bike riders. In case of a collision, call our Murfreesboro, TN bicycle accident lawyers for help.
Distracted driving is a predominant factor in many collisions on the road, including bicycle; accidents. As technology continues to advance, drivers are faced with numerous distractions in their vehicles. Cell phones, tablets, GPS devices, and more are all common factors in distracted driving crashes. A driver must only take their eyes off the road for a few seconds to cause an accident with a bike rider.
Drunk driving is not only a leading cause of bicycle crashes but also a criminal offense that may lead to charges and prosecution. An intoxicated driver has difficulty focusing on the road and reacting in time to other drivers and bike riders. If the driver who hit you was intoxicated or under the influence, your lawsuit for damages might take a backseat to their criminal prosecution.
Another common reason for many bicycle accidents is an unfair disregard for bike riders. Drivers often do not show the same respect and courtesy to bike riders as other drivers. Drivers sometimes think of bike riders as nuisances rather than other vehicles that deserve their fair share of the road. This also means many crashes and collisions happen because drivers cannot be bothered to watch out for bike riders.
Traffic violations also cause a lot of bike crashes, especially violations involving failures to signal. When drivers do not signal a turn or lane change, a bike rider near them does not know to slow down, go around, or otherwise avoid the car. While cars and drivers are usually unharmed, the rider might be severely injured.
What You Should Do After a Bike Accident in Murfreesboro, TN
Immediately after a bicycle crash, you or someone nearby should call for help. Call 911 and have the police and paramedics dispatched to the accident scene. In the meantime, you should try to move somewhere safe and out of traffic if you can. If you are badly injured, stay where you are and ask someone nearby for help. When ready, call our Murfreesboro, TN bicycle accident lawyers about taking legal action.
You should get emergency medical assistance even if you do not feel badly injured. Perhaps you believe you only have a few bumps and bruises and do not need to see a doctor. Even so, you should get to a hospital. Not only could you have unseen internal injuries, but you need to make sure your medical records are accurate and up to date for when you take legal action.
You must exchange information with the driver who hit you. This is important because you need to know where to file an insurance claim. You also need their personal information if you want to file a lawsuit. You should also exchange information with people in the area who saw the accident. If anyone approaches you to offer help, get their name and phone number, as they might be a good potential witness.
If possible, take as many photos and record videos of the accident scene. After law enforcement arrives and you are taken for medical care, the accident scene will probably be cleaned up quickly, and important evidence might be lost. Documenting the scene with photos and videos helps preserve evidence for an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Available Damages in a Murfreesboro, TN Bicycle Accident
Numerous damages might be available to you after a bike accident. The extent and severity of your injuries play a big role in determining damages, so it is important to seek medical care immediately. Our Murfreesboro, TN bicycle accident attorneys can assist you in calculating damages and fighting for compensation.
Economic damages include the losses or injuries you sustained that cost money. People often do not realize how expensive bike accidents are. You can claim economic damages for your medical bills, damaged bicycle, and lost income if you miss work. You can even include estimated future costs for things like ongoing medical care or lost future income if you cannot return to work for a while.
Non-economic damages are sometimes hard to wrap your head around because they do not usually involve any lost money. Instead, they include injuries or losses based on the plaintiff’s personal experience rather than monetary value. Pain, suffering, humiliation, and damage to your reputation, among other losses, can be claimed as part of your non-economic damages.
Call Our Murfreesboro, TN Bicycle Accident Attorneys for Help
Bike riders deserve the same level of respect on the road as any other driver. Negligent drivers who cause bike accidents must be held accountable. Our Murfreesboro, TN bicycle accident lawyers can assist you in your pursuit of justice. For a case evaluation free of charge, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
