Wilmington Bicycle Accident Lawyer

What are Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

Bicycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common:

• Passing on the Right: Drivers wishing to pass bicycles on the right often underestimate their speed. They may cut them off causing the bicyclist to hit the vehicle.
• Left Turns: Drivers making left turns may underestimate the speed of oncoming bicyclists and turn in front of them when they do not have the clearance to do so.
• Car Doors: Many drivers get out of their vehicles and fail to look for oncoming traffic before opening their car doors. This causes a real hazard for bicyclists and motorcyclists who drive near the right side of the road.
• Drive Out: Cars often drive out into the road without looking for oncoming bicyclists. If a bicyclist is coming when a driver decides to pull out, it can result in a serious injury.
• Debris in the Road: The small size of bicycles makes them especially vulnerable to debris in the road. If they run over debris, riders can get tossed from the bike and become seriously injured. If the debris was caused by a nearby construction site, the city or contractor may be responsible for the accident.
• Equipment Failure: Equipment failure can occur in either a car or a bicycle to cause an accident. If a car experiences equipment failure, the mechanic or parts manufacturer may be responsible for damages.
• Unsafe Road Conditions: If there are unsafe road conditions such as poor visibility or slick roadways, drivers and riders must be extra cautious. A pothole is another unsafe road condition that could cause injuries. If road damage causes an accident, the city may be responsible for compensating the victim.
• Reckless and Negligent Driving Behavior: Any sort of reckless or negligent driving behavior will increase the risk of an accident. This includes speeding, disobeying traffic lights and signs, driving impaired or fatigued and failure to keep a proper lookout.
• Unsafe Lane Changes: It’s easy for bikes to fall into driver’s blindsides. Drivers often attempt to get over without seeing bicycles that are next to them causing them to run bicyclists off the road.

What are Common Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries?

Many types of injuries can occur in a bike accident. Here are some serious injuries that can occur due to the lack of protection bicyclists have when involved in a bike accident:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Road burn
• Amputation
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Wrongful death

If you are injured in a bike accident, it’s important to get medical help right away, even if you don’t think your injuries are that serious. A doctor will create a medical record that proves your injury was caused by the accident. This information may prove to be useful to the outcome of your case.