Whether you reside in Seattle, Kirkland, Bellevue, or any other area of King County, WA, you know that bicycle riding is widely prevalent as a recreational activity and a means of transportation.
One thing that is a guarantee when putting motor vehicles of all kinds, including passenger cars and big trucks, on the same roadways as bicyclists, is serious bicycle accidents, leaving seriously injured bicycle riders.
Suppose you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries due to a bicycle accident. In that case, hiring the right King County bicycle accident injury attorney should be your next step, if for no other reason than a free consultation to learn and weigh your legal options.
Dax Jones, the personal injury attorney at The Jones Firm, will use his expertise and experience to ensure you receive the most competent legal representation. At the same time, you try to get financial justice for yourself and your family. Call Dax now.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, often stemming from negligence or hazardous road conditions. Understanding the common causes of bike crashes can highlight the importance of seeking professional legal support from an experienced bike wreck lawyer or bicycle injury lawyer.
Here are some of the most typical scenarios leading to these accidents:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, eating, or simply not paying attention to their surroundings pose a significant threat to cyclists. A momentary lapse in focus can result in devastating consequences for a bike rider.
- Failure to Yield: Intersections are especially dangerous for cyclists when drivers fail to yield the right of way. Whether it’s a car turning without checking for oncoming bicycles or disregarding traffic signals, these actions frequently lead to serious injuries.
- Poor Road Conditions: Uneven pavement, potholes, and debris on the road can cause cyclists to lose control, increasing the likelihood of a crash. While some of these accidents result from unavoidable conditions, others may point to negligence, such as improper road maintenance.
- Drunk Driving: A driver operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not only impaired in their judgment but also in their ability to react to cyclists. Drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of catastrophic bike crashes.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident caused by any of these factors, consulting a bicycle injury lawyer can help you determine who may be held accountable and what legal steps can be taken. Contacting a skilled attorney could be the first step toward securing the justice and compensation you deserve.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes to life-altering conditions. Understanding the types of injuries that often result from a bike crash is essential for assessing your legal options with a bicycle accident attorney. Below are some of the most common injuries sustained by cyclists:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Even with a helmet, cyclists are at risk of concussions or severe brain injuries that can have lasting physical and cognitive impacts.
- Broken Bones: Collisions often result in fractures, particularly to the arms, legs, and collarbones, which can require surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
- Spinal Injuries: Damage to the spine can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, or, in severe cases, paralysis.
- Road Rash: When cyclists are thrown onto the pavement, they can sustain painful abrasions that may lead to scarring or infections.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma from a crash can cause damage to internal organs, which may not be immediately apparent.
- Facial and Dental Injuries: Cyclists frequently experience cuts, bruises, or fractures to the face, as well as damage to teeth and jawbones.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and ligament damage are common, particularly in the neck and shoulders.
If you’ve suffered any of these injuries, consulting with a bicycle accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What Are My Rights While Riding a Bike?
We all walk around town with the belief that just about 100% of the time pedestrians have the right of way, no matter the circumstance. However, bike riders have many specific laws because they are not considered pedestrians.
For example, there are laws regarding bicycle helmets, sharing the road with motor vehicles, and riding at night, among others, so getting informed by an experienced bicycle accident lawyer as to your rights and legal options could be a wise next step if you have been seriously injured in a bike accident in King County, WA.
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King County Areas Of Practice:
- King County Truck Accident Attorneys
- Catastrophic Injury Attorneys King County
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Bicycle Helmet Laws and Traumatic Brain Injuries
No matter how much you ride your bicycle around town whether it be how you get to work, how you exercise, or how you spend some of your recreational activity, wearing a helmet is the law, and it can prevent more serious injuries if you are in a collision with a motor vehicle.
That being said, many bike-riding accidents result in major, devastating traumatic brain injuries, even with a protective helmet on by the measure of the law.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a traumatic brain injury suffered in a bicycle accident, please contact The Jones Firm now to learn how you might be able to hold the liable party or parties accountable with a fair financial settlement.
Sharing the Road and Getting Hit by a Car or Truck
If you ride your bicycle regularly and consider yourself a daily rider or you’re just a casual bike rider, you are at risk of getting hit by a car or truck when sharing the road with those types of motor vehicles.
Although intersections make up a small part of a bike rider’s time on the road, they are most definitely the most dangerous spots for a bicycle rider.
Many car and truck drivers simply don’t make it a regular part of their driving routine to look out for bike riders, unless you are alongside them and going in the same direction. Regardless, the physical and emotional damage, after getting hit by a car or truck when sharing the road, can be life-changing for you and your family, depending on the severity of your injuries.
Contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in King County, WA, to find out what sort of legal action can be taken to provide financial justice for you.
Riding at Night and Vehicle-Related Accidents
Everybody knows, especially bike riders themselves, that riding your bike on the same roadways as motor vehicles is dangerous, to say the least.
The good thing is that the overall number of bicycle accidents has decreased slightly, yet the troubling statistic is that the number of bicycle accident fatalities has risen.
Most bicycle accidents, whether they involve a fatality or a serious injury, comparatively, occur at night, as it is much more difficult for car and truck drivers to see cyclists on the road. Securing smart legal counsel and learning your options could be your next best move.
Getting Hit While in a Bicycle Lane
If you’re a driver on the road, then you have probably been annoyed at one time or another by a bike rider going in and out of the bike lane.
Bikers should know, but not all do, that there are certain circumstances when it is legal for a bike rider to maneuver out of the bike lane, such as avoiding debris, keeping up with the flow of traffic, the lane is too narrow to share with passing vehicles safely, among others.
The point is that discussing your particular accident and injuries with a bicycle accident attorney will allow you to learn whether or not you have a legitimate bicycle accident claim if you were hit by a car or truck while riding your bike in the bike lane or thereabouts.
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident can leave you shaken and unsure of what to do next. Taking the right steps immediately after a bike crash is crucial to protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to seek compensation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this challenging time:
1. Prioritise Your Safety and Seek Medical Attention
Your health is the top priority. Move to a safe location, if possible, and assess your injuries. Even if you feel fine, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent. A detailed medical record can also support your claim later.
2. Call the Police and File a Report
Contact the police to report the accident. Their documentation of the scene, including statements from witnesses and the driver, can be critical evidence in your case. Be sure to request a copy of the accident report for your records.
3. Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you’re able, take photos of the accident scene, your bicycle, the vehicle involved, and any visible injuries. Collect the contact information of the driver and any witnesses. This evidence can be invaluable when working with a bike accident attorney near me to build your case.
4. Avoid Admitting Fault or Making Statements
Be cautious about what you say at the scene. Avoid admitting fault, even if you feel partially responsible. Stick to the facts when speaking with law enforcement and others involved.
5. Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney
Reaching out to experienced bicycle accident attorneys is one of the most important steps you can take. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure that your rights are protected. If you’re searching for a bicycle accident lawyer near me, act quickly to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome.
6. Notify Your Insurance Company
Inform your insurance provider about the accident as soon as possible. However, avoid providing detailed statements until you’ve consulted with your bike accident lawyers to ensure your interests are protected.
By following these steps, you can safeguard your health and strengthen your case. A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through the complexities of your claim, helping you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Attorneys who Handle Severe Bicycle Accident Injuries in King County, WA
Riding your bike is a super convenient form of transportation, but it is also a super dangerous manner of transportation, especially when sharing the road with all sorts of motor vehicles that can weigh anywhere from a couple of tons to a dozen tons, making any bike rider a sitting duck if a collision occurs.
The overwhelming result when this happens is a severe injury to the bike rider, so if you’re seeking an attorney who handles severe bicycle accident injuries in King County, WA, reaching out directly to Dax Jones, a top American lawyer, could be a valuable step in determining how you and your family should move forward with your goal to get financial justice from the liable party or parties.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a King County Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyer
Scheduling a free consultation with a King County bicycle accident injury lawyer is as easy as calling The Jones Firm and asking for a meeting with Dax Jones, the law firm’s personal injury attorney.
During that meeting, you, your family, if desired, and Mr. Jones will talk about the specifics of your bicycle accident, as well as the details of your serious injuries.
After all the information necessary has been gathered, he will determine whether or not a legitimate personal injury case can be filed on your behalf.
If yes, Dax will then share with you his strategy for winning a deserved and proper financial settlement from those responsible. Call us now to get on the right track with your case.
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