Riding a bike can be a great way to get around and is a method of transportation that comes with a lot of benefits. You travel much faster than on foot. You don’t have the fuel expenditure of motor vehicles. Cycling helps you stay in shape. You get to experience being outdoors & breathing in fresh air. Bicycles often have more flexibilities than pedestrians or cars because they can often travel as either (depending on your state & local laws). You can often avoid the perils of finding a suitable parking space that’s even reasonably close to the destination. You don’t ever have to worry about your bicycle not starting. The list goes on. However, on the flip side of this, there’s a lot of dangers that neither pedestrians nor automobile drivers face as well. These can be serious downsides to cycling as they can lead to severe injury or even death. However, there are steps you can take to avoid these dangers & arming yourself with the knowledge of the most common dangers will go a long way for avoiding them. Let’s look at a few of the most commonly overlooked ways cyclists end up getting hit by cars. However, if you already have been struck by a car while on your bicycle, after seeking medical attention, contact an attorney to understand your options for seeking compensation: 702-252-0055.
Some of the most common types of accidents to cyclists sound more like boxing terms (and some are) but they obviously are applied a little differently here. Instead of getting hit by a gloved fist, we’re talking about the full weight of a vehicle’s hard metal & glass crushing into a cyclist’s body & bicycle. Usually throwing the bike and biker onto the hard, unforgiving surface of the asphalt or in some cases, another car.
The severity of injuries from bicycle accidents has lead to a lot of frustration from both the bicycle community and even some motorists. Some cyclists have begun to refer to car & cyclist collisions as “bike crashes” rather than “bike accidents” feeling as though accident carries too little weight of responsibility on the motorist’s part.
Much of the heat from this debate stems from the fact that automobile drivers usually experience little or no injury at all in the same crash that sends cyclists to the hospital or grave. Injuries experienced in vehicle vs bicycle accidents are often severed. Motor vehicle & bicycle collisions contribute to over 60% of bike-related deaths & long term disabilities. Some of the common injuries cyclists experience involve trauma to the head, spine & brain. Often, riders are forced into their handlebars so hard it causes internal organ damage, broken ribs which could even lead to a punctured lung.
If you’re questioning whether you should seek medical attention, you probably should. If you experience any of the things above, immediately seek medical assistance. Consider making your personal information accessible on your clothing, bag, etc. so if you are unconscious from an accident, professionals can better assist & identify you. If you have medical information (such as allergies, medications you take, etc.) that someone treating you would need to know, make this information available.
If you do end up in an automobile vs bicycle crash, and once you’ve taken care of your medical needs, contact an attorney to discuss the incident. You may not be fully aware of all the laws that apply to your situation & you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Stay safe, be alert and aware…live to bike another day.