A bicycle accident involving a car will usually be caused by a driver’s lack of attention or even the decisive failure to yield the right of way to the bicyclist. The scenarios illustrated below describe some of the most common causes behind bicycle accidents. If you have been injured as a result of an accident, consider seeking the legal expertise of a qualified personal injury attorney who can help answer questions regarding your specific case. As a victim, you could receive financial compensation for your injuries and a skilled attorney can help you.
Common Cause #1: A Car Pulling Out of a Cyclist’s Right Side Street
This type of accident can happen when a car pulls out of a side driveway, side street, or parking exit to a bicyclist’s right side. In these types of accidents, a cyclist can be impacted by the front of the car as the car is coming out or could be side-swept by the car.
Common Cause #2: Drivers Making Unforeseen Right Turns
There are two ways in which a bicyclist can be injured in an unforeseen right turn by a driver. In one example, a driver making a sudden right turn can strike a cyclist. On a second scenario, and often seen as a more common scenario, a cyclist can be cut off by a driver entering into a bicycle lane when making a right turn.
Common Cause #3: Sudden Door Openings
When a driver in a parked car suddenly opens a door without looking out for potential cyclists coming by, the careless act can cause severe trauma for the rider. The cyclist can fall forward, which can cause severe injuries to the rider’s face, head, neck, and back. Furthermore, it is likely that upon impact, the bicycle will be damaged.
Avoiding Accidents
In effort of avoiding any type of accident, a cyclist should make an effort of being more visible, especially when it is dark or when there is low visibility because of the weather. To become more visible, a cyclist can use a headlight in the front of the bike to signal to a driver that he or she is present. It is also a safe practice for bicyclists to expect a vehicle to pull out from the right.
Despite the amount of precaution a cyclist can take, however, there are countless of unforeseen causes behind bicycle accidents where n bicyclist simply cannot prepare for. If you are a cyclist who has been injured because of a negligent driver, seek the legal support of an attorney who can help you file a lawsuit against the careless driver.
Obtain the Legal Support of a Personal Injury Attorney
When it comes to these different types of accidents, a driver can be negligent in failing to yield to the cyclist’s right of way. Additionally, because of reckless driving conditions, a driver has the potential to cause severe and long-lasting injuries to an unsuspecting cyclist.
The attorneys at Martinez & Schill LLP are highly skilled in the field of bicycle accident cases. The firm is dedicated to ensuring that accident victims obtain the financial compensation they deserve following an accident. Bicycle accident cases in California are time sensitive; seek expert legal advice as soon as possible.