What Happens When Cars Don’t Share The Road With Bicycles?
In 2008, 716 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents, a slight increase from 2007. About 53,000 bicyclists have died in traffic crashes in the United States since 1932. There was a 21 percent increase in the number of bicyclists injured in 2008, totaling 52,000. Bicyclist deaths in 2008 accounted for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities during the year.
Bicycle travel is becoming more and more common on roads throughout Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. While bicycle riders share most of the rights and responsibilities of car and truck drivers, their rights are often violated by careless and negligent motorists.
At Becker, Kellogg & Berry, P.C., our attorneys help people who have been injured in bicycle accidents. If you have suffered a bicycle accident injury, we can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other losses.
Causes Of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can occur for a number of reasons. Many occur when car and truck drivers fail to respect the rights of the bicycle rider. Examples of these types of accidents include motorists:
- Crowding a bicycle off the shoulder of the road
- Hitting bicycles in intersections or crosswalks
- Failing to allow the bicycle to stay in the traffic lane
- Disregarding the hand signals of the bicyclist
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Other negligent bike riders
Bicycle riders can also be injured due to faulty road design, construction or maintenance. A pothole or road defect may affect a bicycle rider more severely than a driver of a car or truck. If you have been injured due to a negligent driver or defective roadway, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you protect your rights and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
We Can Help You
If you or someone close to you has been injured while riding a bike, we are here to stand up for your rights. Contact our office today at 703-962-1829 for a free initial consultation.