Need an Injury Lawyer for a New Jersey Bicycle Accident?
Why do so many bicycle accidents take place every year, despite the laws put in place to protect riders from harm? When a bicycle accident occurs, it can lead to catastrophic injuries after you thought you would be going out for a nice ride on the town. Nobody ever expects these accidents to happen, which is why they might not always know what to do when an accident hits home.
Some of the New Jersey counties with the most accidents to bicyclists include Hudson, Union, Monmouth, Passaic, and Mercer. Between 2010 and 2013, a study was conducted that shows us that 58 bicyclists lost their lives in bicycle accidents. The top 5 reasons were due to crossing the roadway, riding with traffic, riding against traffic, riding next to a roadway, and riding on the sidewalk. Crossing the roadway caused the most accidents with 20 deaths. Many of these cyclists were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
What can you do if you were injured in one of these accidents due to the negligence of another driver? Where do you turn for help you deserve?
When Drivers Act Negligently
There are many ways that drivers act negligently on the roadways even though they are supposed to watch out for bicycle riders. Those who drive alongside bicyclists owe a special duty of care to bicyclists, especially because they are most vulnerable to accidents and injuries and have few protections. Some of the reasons why these accidents happen is due to:
- Inattentive drivers, which can happen when a driver is on their cell phone or trying to dial the radio instead of watching the roads
- Speeding, when a driver is unable to stop in time as a bicycle pulls out on the roadway
- Intersection or lane merging
What You Can Do After You’ve Been Injured
When you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you have options and you are not alone. This happens to thousands of bicycle riders every year. When you have first been involved in an accident, the first and most important thing you can do is receive medical attention for any injuries you have sustained. It is important to ensure that your health comes first and it can also help you prove your claim later on down the road as you attempt to show how serious the injuries were.
You should also make sure to exchange contact information, license plate numbers, insurance information, and more. Anything that will help you prove your claim can come in handy when it matters the most.
You have the right to compensation, which is where we come in. If you have received serious injuries, it is not unheard of to have mounds of medical bills relating to your hospital stay, surgeries, and physical therapy to get back up on your feet again. Perhaps you have missed time at work and are struggling to stay ahead on bills while dealing with the emotional trauma related to the accident. You have many rights, and you should have proper legal representation on your side.
Call us as soon as possible if you have been involved in a New Jersey bicycle accident. We want to help you every step of the way when it comes to your case, from start to finish. You have rights to compensation and should never go without. Give us a call to get started.