Bicycle Accidents Attorneys
in Lake County, Florida
Bicycle Accident Claims
Bicycling is a healthy and eco-friendly way to get around. Many people here in Lake County enjoy biking as a form of exercise or transportation. Unfortunately, though car and truck drivers are expected to share the road with bicyclists, many fail to do so suitably. Negligent drivers and road conditions can lead to dangerous accidents that often cause serious injuries. Even bicyclists wearing the appropriate padding and safety gear can suffer impactful injuries that cause long-term or permanent damage.
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How We Help Bicyclists
As a bicyclist sharing the road with countless cars and trucks many times your size, you are at a significant disadvantage. Without the protective steel body of a car, you and your bike are far more vulnerable to damage in the event of an accident. You also lack the added bonus of an airbag and seat belt while riding a bike.
That said, you have every right to use the road. If someone else’s negligence was the cause of your bicycle accident, you deserve trusted and experienced legal representation. Oldham & Smith can fight for your rights no matter what kind of accident you were involved in.
Common causes of bicycle accidents include:
Dooring (car door opened into a bicyclist’s path)
Distracted driving
Intersection accidents
Hit and runs
Left turns made by drivers
Dangerous road conditions (due to potholes, weather, etc.)
Sideswiping
Road rage
After any of these accidents, you may require extensive medical care to treat scrapes, cuts, bruises, broken bones, and potentially even catastrophic brain or spinal cord injuries. Be sure to seek medical attention immediately after an accident to determine the extent of your injuries.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Head injuries are the most common bicycle accident injuries, which is why you should always wear a helmet.
Other common bicycle accident injuries include:
Face and eye injuries
Fractures
Dislocations
Strains
Broken ribs and lung injuries
Injuries to the spleen and pancreas
Internal organ damage
Urethral, genital, and rectal trauma
Spinal cord and pelvic injuries
Abrasions (road rash)
Lacerations and contusions (cuts and bruises)
If you sustain any of the injuries above, Oldham & Smith can help you recover.
Bicycle Accident Stats
When bicycles collide with motor vehicles, the results are often deadly. In 2018, a total of 854 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles. Most of these crashes (75%) happen in urban areas, which shows that motorists are not skilled at sharing the road.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 467,000 bicycle-related injuries take place each year and result in lifetime medical costs and productivity losses of about $10 billion.
These costs and any loss of life are unacceptable. If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident, contact our Lake County bicycle accident attorneys today.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
Bike accidents are scary and can result in serious injuries, so you might not be thinking clearly right after a crash. Nevertheless, you need to take a few steps:
Get out of the road as soon as possible – if you are still conscious and able to move, get out of the way of oncoming traffic. If you cannot move, call 911 immediately.
Check for injuries – once you are safe, sit upright and examine yourself for injuries. If you notice a serious injury, call an ambulance. Make sure you can bear weight and walk and assess your upper body by lifting your arms above your head. If your helmet is cracked, assume you have a concussion.
Call for help – Whenever a motor vehicle is involved in your accident, you need to call the police. Be sure to get a copy of the police report, and if you feel up to it, you can take photos, exchange contact information, and gather other evidence at the scene. Even if you feel fine, get the information of all drivers and/or bicyclists involved and call someone to pick you up.
Seek medical attention – Not all injuries are apparent right away. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to make sure you are alright after the crash. You shouldn’t get back on your bike until you have clearance from a medical professional.
Consult a lawyer – If you suffered a concussion or another serious injury, you may want to contact an attorney. At Oldham & Smith, we offer free case reviews and we don’t collect any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Oldham & Smith is here and ready to help defend you in your bike accident case. Contact us now to get started on your case.
