Are Bicycles Safer than Cars?

Riding bicycles for work and pleasure is more popular than ever. Many riders also like to ride their bikes for environmental reasons. However, there are concerns about bikers being exposed to dangers on the road. Keep in mind that there is a 7:1 size differential between motor vehicles and bikes. When a car hits a bicycle, the cyclist always loses.

Are bicycles safer than cars, though? It’s a complex question, and this article delves into the details. Talk to a San Francisco bicycle accident attorney if another party’s negligence caused your bike accident injuries. You can receive compensation for your medical bills and damages.

US Bicycle Accident Statistics

Reviewing government statistics is critical when analyzing bicycle and car safety. The NHTSA annually reports the numbers and severity of car and bicycle accidents.

Recent NHTSA data reveals that auto accidents far outnumber bicycle crashes in the US. There were six million auto accidents in a recent year, with 36,000 deaths. On the other hand, there were 855 fatal bike accidents in the same year. The Federal Highway Administration reports that 19 percent of all fatalities on the roads involve bikers, pedestrians, and nonmotorized transport.

That said, the severity of bike accident injuries is higher because the rider is unprotected by a vehicle. Statistics show that 45,000 bikers are hurt in accidents annually, and many incidents are severe. Car accidents are higher than bicycle accidents, and the frequency of injuries and deaths is higher in bike accidents. Thus, we can say that car accidents are more common, but serious injuries and fatalities in bike accidents per capita are much higher.

The higher danger of injury and death among cyclists means drivers must drive carefully around bicycles. Unfortunately, driver negligence and wrongful actions often lead to serious bike accidents. Common injuries in bicycle accidents include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, road rash, amputation and crush injuries, organ damage, broken bones, and soft tissue injuries.

The League of American Bicyclists states that the number of bikers killed is at all-time highs. Any life loss is terrible, but being in a bicycle accident can leave you with serious injuries. You may be unable to work and have mounting medical bills. This is why you should always talk to a bicycle accident attorney to learn your next steps. 

Have an experienced bicycle accident lawyer review your case if a driver injured you in a bicycle accident. They’ll investigate the accident and determine how the crash happened and who is liable. Then, they will build your bicycle accident claim with critical evidence, such as police reports, eyewitness statements, and medical records.

Common Causes Of Bicycle Accidents

Drivers cause most bicycle accidents, and if it happens to you or a loved one, you can receive compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. Drivers cause most bicycle accidents with motor vehicles. Common reasons for bicycle accidents are:

• Distracted driving: Many drivers are distracted by cell phones and other digital devices. Looking down to read a text message for just three seconds can trigger a devastating bicycle accident. A bicycle accident attorney will investigate whether driver distraction caused your accident. 
• Failure to yield: When a driver doesn’t yield to a biker with the right of way, severe accidents can occur that cause devastating injuries or death. Many drivers assume bikers don’t have to yield because they go slower. However, bikers should be treated like any vehicle on the road. 
• Dooring: This happens when a driver opens their car door without looking for bikers. Dooring can cause severe injuries, and the driver may be found liable. 
• Collisions in intersections: An intersection can be hazardous for bikers if a driver doesn’t yield or makes a dangerous turn. Drivers may not understand that cyclists should be treated the same as car drivers. 
• Speeding: Driving too fast reduces the driver’s ability to react to hazards on the road, which increases the chances of crashes with bikers. The biker’s injuries can be much worse if the driver is speeding. 

In many states like California, drivers must give three feet for safety when passing cyclists. If the driver cannot maintain this distance, they must slow down when passing the cyclist and only do so when it’s safe and will not endanger the cyclist.

Regardless of the accident’s cause, you can be entitled to damages if another party’s negligence causes your bicycle crash injuries. Retain a bike accident attorney promptly to handle your claim and pursue compensation.

Potential Bicycle Accident Damages

A bicycle accident claim may be worth a substantial sum if you have serious injuries and disability. You can receive the following damages if another party’s negligence caused your injuries:

Economic Damages

Economic damages pay for concrete financial losses because of the bike accident. They may include compensation for all current and future medical bills, lost earnings, and lost earning capacity. You can also receive compensation for lost work benefits, retirement contributions, and more.

It’s common for a bike accident claim to be settled while you still receive treatment, so your personal injury attorney must ensure that your future medical needs are covered. They may retain medical experts to understand your injuries and future medical needs and ensure all medical expenses are paid for. This is critical to your recovery, so always have a bicycle accident lawyer estimate your future medical needs.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are subjective losses related to the accident and injuries. They may include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and lost enjoyment of life. For instance, a biker paralyzed by a speeding driver will suffer the loss of being unable to walk, exercise, hike, run, etc. They may have constant nerve pain, too, so the biker should receive ample funds for their mental and physical pain and suffering.

If a driver was highly negligent, you can receive additional compensation in punitive damages. For instance, an extremely intoxicated driver can be ordered to pay punitive damages because of their lack of regard for other people’s safety.

Determining your full damages in the areas above is a complex process. So, you should always retain a bicycle accident attorney to review your case and calculate your losses.

Who Is At Fault For Your Bicycle Accident? 

Obtaining compensation in a personal injury lawsuit depends on proving that another party violated their duty of care. Your attorney will attempt to prove that another party was negligent as follows:

• The driver had a duty of care to you to drive safely, obey traffic laws, and not injure other drivers and bikers. 
• The driver violated their duty of care. For example, a driver may have passed too close and sideswiped you, leading to a severe crash onto the pavement. 
• You suffered injuries, such as a shattered elbow, road rash, and a broken nose. 
• You have damages from the accident, including medical bills and lost work time. 

Usually, a car driver is liable for a bike accident and injuries. However, other parties can be at fault:

• A commercial business, such as a delivery company, if the driver was on the clock. 
• Government or public entities that design, maintain, or control the road. For example, you can sue the government agency if a shoddy construction zone design contributed to your bike accident. 
• Construction companies, if their work somehow affected traffic or the road. 
• Multiple drivers, if several vehicles, were involved in the accident. 
• Other bikers or pedestrians. 

How Can You Pay For Your Medical Treatments? 

When a driver injures you on your bicycle, it’s a crisis. You need immediate medical treatment and probably ongoing care to recover. What do you do if you don’t have health insurance? Most bicycle accident attorneys can help receive top medical care on a lien basis.

If there is a case, you can receive compensation for current and future medical bills, and the doctor’s fee will be taken from the settlement. An experienced personal injury attorney may also help receive low-cost, quality coverage through various state programs.

How Long Will A Bike Crash Claim Take? 

Many bicycle accident claims end with a settlement in less than six months. However, every case is different, and your case can take more or less time. The insurance company can hotly contest a bike accident case with severe injuries, and a settlement can take a year or more.

In limited cases, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party, which can take years to resolve. However, an experienced bicycle accident lawyer understands that you need money and will negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement.

Contacting a bicycle accident attorney promptly is essential because the statute of limitations can expire. In California and many other states, you have just two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit.

Always Do These 2 Things After A Bicycle Accident

Most bicycle accidents with motor vehicles are serious, so there are two things you must do. First, always seek immediate medical attention. You may have broken bones, head trauma, spine and back injuries, road rash, etc. You must have fast medical care to ensure your health. Also, the insurance company will check if you received immediate medical attention and will question your claim if you didn’t.

Second, always retain a bicycle accident attorney to review your case. You should have a bike crash lawyer handle your case if another person or entity causes injuries. You could easily have hundreds of thousands in damages for a serious bike accident. Getting the most compensation is your attorney’s specialty.

What Is A Bicycle Accident Claim Worth? 

Most bicycle accidents with cars are serious and can be worth more than many auto-on-auto accidents. How much you receive in your bike accident claim depends on multiple factors:

• How badly are you injured? A broken back with paralysis can result in a large settlement, while a broken arm claim will be worth less. 
• How long are you out of work? A severe injury can result in permanent disability. If so, you can receive more compensation for lost earnings and earning capacity. 
• How much are your medical bills? A paralysis injury can require millions in medical treatments, while soft tissue injuries may only need a few thousand in medical expenses. 
• How much is your life disrupted? A serious injury can cause your life to change permanently, and you may have difficulty doing things you once enjoyed. On the other hand, a minor injury can lead to a full recovery in a few weeks or months. 
• How much insurance is available? Many drivers carry only minimal insurance. Getting full compensation is difficult if there is $30,000 in coverage and $100,000 in damages. However, a bicycle accident attorney will determine if filing a lawsuit against the liable party can lead to more compensation. 
• Age, education, and income: A serious bike accident injury may lead to substantial compensation, especially if the accident victim is young and well-educated. They can have more compensation for lost earning capacity than someone who is retired and on a fixed income. 

Call a bicycle accident attorney in your city promptly; they can provide a rough case value after analyzing your case. They have experience with previous bike accident cases and can estimate what the claim may be worth. A bike accident settlement is usually best because a fast resolution gets money in your hands sooner. However, while taking longer, a lawsuit can get you more compensation in the long run if you win.

Speak To A Bicycle Accident Attorney Today 

A car hits you on your bike. Who pays? Usually, the liable driver should pay for your medical bills, lost earnings, and more. However, maximizing your payout is difficult without an experienced bicycle accident attorney fighting for you. The insurance company will try to shortchange you, but your attorney won’t allow it. Talk to a seasoned San Francisco personal injury attorney today in your city for a free consultation. You will pay zero out of pocket for your lawyer’s services and nothing if you don’t win your case.