Riding your bike is a wonderful way to get around Orlando while staying in shape. Bicyclists have a right to be on most roadways, and they have the same protection by the law as motorists. When a bicycle injury accident occurs, it is usually due to a car, truck or bus hitting the bicyclist. Due to the lack of protection, bicyclists can be vulnerable to serious injuries requiring extensive medical care. If you need a bicycle accidents injury lawyer in Orlando to fight for compensation from the at-fault driver, contact our team at Ligori & Ligori, Injury Lawyers.
When a vehicle hits a bicyclist, they are at risk for serious injury or death. Helmets are good protection for the head, but do not prevent broken bones, lacerations or internal injuries. Over a million people see their doctor for bicycle injuries every year, with over 500,000 ending up in an emergency room. In 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 846 deaths in bicycle-motor vehicle accidents. When injury or death is caused by a driver on the road, compensation may be owed to the bicyclist or their family.
Types of Bicycle Injury Accidents
There are many different situations that can result in bicycle accidents on the roadways. While bicyclists do have a responsibility to follow the law and rules of the road, it is often a motorist who is at fault for a bicycle injury accident. Bicycles are much smaller and less visible – while motorists should be aware of everyone sharing the road with them, they often overlook bicyclists. This can result in accidents that can cause severe injuries for the bicyclists. Some common types of bicycle injury accidents include:
- Open-Door Accidents: Instances where car doors suddenly open into the path of an oncoming bicyclist, often resulting in unavoidable collisions and serious injuries.
- Side-Swipe Accidents: Occurrences where motor vehicles fail to provide sufficient clearance while passing cyclists, resulting in collisions or loss of control for the bicyclist.
- Left-Hand Turns Hitting Oncoming Bicyclists: Situations where motor vehicles turning left at intersections fail to yield to oncoming bicyclists, leading to collisions at intersections or mid-block crossings.
- Hit-and-Run Accidents: Incidents where motor vehicles collide with cyclists and flee the scene, leaving victims injured and without recourse for immediate assistance.
Bicyclists can be flipped over vehicles, crushed or thrown from their bikes. The impact or velocity can cause extreme damage to the body, resulting in fractures, soft tissue damage, internal organ injury and more. These extensive injuries can result in hospital stays, lost time from work, rehabilitation and more that can cause financial hardship. A bicycle injury accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your injuries to offset the costs and allow you to recover without the burden of financial stress.
Insurance Claims for Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accidents
Did you know that many auto insurance policies cover drivers while riding their bicycles? If you are injured in a hit-and-run bicycle accident, you may be able to file a claim for your injuries through your insurance company. Like many injury insurance claims, you want to ensure you receive the full benefits for your accidents. A bicycle injury accident attorney can negotiate the best settlement for your injury claim if you are the victim of a hit-and-run bicycle accident.
It is always in your best interest to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney if you are injured in a roadway accident. Whether you are filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance or through your own policy, you want to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies are notorious for offering a low-ball injury settlement to minimize their cost. Make sure you are getting the payout your bicycle injury deserves with the help of one of our lawyers at Ligori & Ligori, Injury Lawyers.
If you are injured in a bicycle accident in the Orlando area, call our office at Ligori & Ligori. We are available 24/7 to give you legal advice. Contact us online or text 888-706-8768 to reach us, and schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your bicycle injury accident.
