Need an Injury Lawyer for an Ohio Bicycle Accident?
Ohio, as with many other states, sees many bicyclists every year. Those who choose to bicycle are reaping many benefits to the great outdoors and participating in an exercise that is loved by many. You would never expect there to be dangers on bicycles, and we mean more than just falling from your bicycle when trying to do tricks. Yes, every year people are seriously injured and even killed in bicycle accidents, and this includes people of all ages.
As a result, Ohio has recently enacted a law known as HB 154, which makes it so that vehicles have to pass bicyclists within a safe passing distance. A safe passing distance is considered to be 3 feet or greater, which means that vehicle drivers must constantly be on the lookout.
Ohio, like many other states, is looking out for the well-being of riders who utilize the roads every day, especially in the summer months. What happens if you have been involved in a bicycle accident with another vehicle? Where do you turn in your time of need?
Why Many Bicycle Accidents Happen
Statistics show us that about 1,000 bicyclists lost their lives across the U.S. in just 2015 alone. On top of that, there were well over 450,000 injuries related to these devastating accidents. Why are these accidents happening on our roadways every day?
Inattentive Drivers: Both drivers and bicyclists can sometimes drive distracted. Many people are engrossed in the technology they bring along for the ride, which can take eyes from the road and cause a dangerous accident within seconds.
Speeding: Speed of travel has made a difference in many accidents. When a vehicle is driving too quickly for conditions or driving so quickly that they cannot stop in time, it could lead to an accident
Intersection/Lane Merging: Bicycles are considered vehicles in many states. This means that bicycles are permitted to share the roadways, even though they have to stay to the right of the road unless they are turning.
The truth is, many of these accidents are preventable when vehicles and bicycles just share the roadways and look out for one another.
You’ve Been Injured – Now What?
After you have been struck by a vehicle driver, you should know that you have rights. You should do whatever it takes to get information that can be used in a case later, such as the driver’s contact information, license plate number, and insurance information. If you have been injured, you should always seek medical attention. This is for your own well-being to ensure your medical safety, as well as proving your claim later through medical bills, prescription proof, and so much more. The police should be involved in your case if you have been seriously injured, as they could issue a ticket that could be used down the line when you are making your claim in settlement or court. If any witnesses saw the accident occur, you should get detailed information from them so that you have it for your records.
When you show negligence to the courts, you will have to prove that the defendant (the other driver) acted in a way that broke the duty they owed to you. For instance, drivers have a duty to always be attentive to everything that happens on the road. If, for example, they were looking at their phone when they struck you, they breached this duty to you and could owe you compensation for your injuries. When traffic violations result, it could make or break your case, and you could receive an outcome that works for you.
When you have been injured, you might want to seek compensation from another party. In bicycle accidents, it is not uncommon to see head injuries, broken bones, fractures, bruising, and more. You might need compensation to cover things like medical bills, lost time at work, emotional distress, and more. No matter what, it is important to enlist the help of an attorney if you have been injured.
If you need help with your bicycle accident claim in Ohio, you need help from an experienced attorney. We want to speak with you today about your injuries and how you can move forward with a claim. We understand how trying these times can be and want to stand by your side. Call us today for assistance.