Budget cuts from the federal government are trickling down to state governments, leaving cities to fend for themselves. Road maintenance is an essential item that is often neglected as the constrained funds are directed to more pressing matters, like healthcare services.
This practice leaves bicyclists navigating dangerous bike paths, lanes, and roads. If you get into an accident due to the deplorable state of bike paths, a bicycle accident lawyer can help you sue the city for damages. Other parties, like motorists and pet owners, could also be liable in some cases.
The Vulnerability of Bicycles
If you prefer cycling as a mode of transportation or for recreational use, it’s prudent that you understand the vulnerability of bicycles. Bike commuting may not be as safe as you presume, and determining fault after colliding with a vehicle is not straightforward.
Here are a few notes for your consideration:
- You are sharing open roads and highways with more oversized vehicles like trucks, vans, big rigs, etc., and don’t have protection from the forces of impact when a crash occurs
- Other motorists may not always notice you even when you wear reflective gear and lights
- You’re more likely to sustain grave injuries in the event of an accident as compared to the occupants of passenger vehicles or big rigs
Causative Factors for Bicycle Accidents in Georgetown
If you’re an avid bicyclist, you must be wary of getting into a collision on the highways or even on street corners in residential neighborhoods. Even so, many factors contribute to the rise of bicycle crashes, as follows:
Distracted Driving or Riding
If a driver talks on the phone, switches the radio controls, or engages in activities that shift their focus from the road, they could hit a cyclist. In the same breath, a distracted rider cannot maintain a predictable riding pattern to help motorists and pedestrians stay clear of their path.
Lack of Safety Gear
It’s mandatory to wear brightly colored attire when riding on the bike lane, especially during low visibility weather. Wearing a reflective jacket and using your rear and front lights help alert other motorists of your presence—cyclists who don’t adhere to these safety measures risk being struck by unsuspecting drivers.
Poor Sidewalk and Road Maintenance
The local government is responsible for maintaining roads by repairing potholes and other road defects that could interfere with the smooth flow of traffic. However, some road contractors are notorious for using substandard materials and poor craft. Well-paved roads break up in months, thus exposing riders to danger.
Mechanical Problems
Failure to inspect your bike regularly is a bad practice that can yield bodily harm. For example, it’s difficult to stop at an intersection if the brakes malfunction. You can slam into an oncoming vehicle and potentially break a few bones when this happens.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated or with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit is dangerous. Drunken drivers cannot stay in one lane, and they cannot correctly process crucial information, like speed limits. If you suspect that a drunk driver caused your accident, Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers can request the results of their sobriety test.
Weather Patterns
Are you cycling in the right weather conditions? Attempting to commute across town in a rainstorm or blizzard is dangerous as there is poor visibility and the roads are slippery. Vehicle traffic is already slow and susceptible to accidents as aggressive drivers try to maneuver traffic jams.
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Injuries From Bicycle Accidents in Georgetown
As mentioned earlier, cruising around town on your bike on a hot summer day may sound incredible, but bikes are also prone to accidents. Here are some typical injuries from such encounters:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Cuts and lacerations
- Fractured and broken bones
- Neurological damage
- Internal bleeding
- Facial disfigurement
- Spinal cord injury
- Dislocated limbs
- Dental chipping
- Jaw fracture
- Bulging or ruptured disc
Things To Do Following a Bicycle Accident
Crashes involving bicycles can have catastrophic outcomes that are temporary or last a lifetime. The recovery process is often taxing and can keep you from earning an income.
Therefore, here are five essential things to do right after a bicycle accident:
- Call the police no matter how minor the accident seems
- Seek medical assistance, even when there are no visible signs of injury
- Document the scene by taking images of your bicycle and the other entity involved
- Inform your insurance provider of the accident and potential medical bills
- Consult a bicycle accident lawyer to determine if you’re eligible for compensation
Contact Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Counsel
Bicycle accidents can harm your life, keeping you from working and enjoying everyday life. In extreme cases, victims can suffer lifelong harm to vital organs, like the brain or spinal cord, thus requiring special care. We have recovered $1 billion in settlements for our clients and have over 400 years of combined legal experience.
Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers have experience helping clients in your predicament get fair compensation from the at-fault parties. Contact us today for a free consultation and legal counsel in Georgetown.
