Lakewood, Colorado, is an incredible place for cyclists to live. There are dozens of bicycle routes throughout the city for residents to explore. Although bicycling is prevalent in Colorado, many drivers do not exercise their duty of care towards cyclists. It can be devastating to experience injuries because of a driver’s negligence. If you have suffered an injury, reach out to us. Our talented team at Gerash Steiner Blanton, P.C. can help.
Typical Injuries in a Bicycle Accident
A bicycle collision can cause catastrophic injuries and ongoing complications. Our lawyers understand how devastating this kind of accident can be. As a bicyclist, you do not have the same protections as a driver. A few of the most frequent injuries in a bicycle accident are below.
Dental Injuries
Dental injuries can often occur because of impact with the ground or another object. A bicycle helmet does not shield the chin and mouth, making them prone to injuries. Dental injuries that could occur in a crash involve:
- Displaced teeth,
- Fractured teeth, and
- Chipped teeth.
Reach out to our talented attorneys if you have questions. We can help you recover the compensation you need. Damages may include compensation for medical bills and other losses.
Neck Injuries
A bicycle crash can also cause severe neck injuries. Injuries like this can have a detrimental impact on a person’s ability to work and take part in daily life. For example, if a bicycle accident causes a person’s neck to jerk back and forth, they may suffer from whiplash. A handful of possible symptoms of whiplash include:
- Dizziness,
- Headache, and
- Neck stiffness.
Make sure that you receive medical care after an accident to check for any injuries.
Joint Dislocation
A joint dislocation is a common occurrence in a bicycle collision. This takes place when a joint is displaced from one area in the body to another. Some of the most typical kinds of joint dislocations consist of the following:
- Elbow dislocations,
- Shoulder dislocations, and
- Finger dislocations.
A Lakewood bicycle accident lawyer at Gerash Steiner Blanton can help you recover. Contact us today to learn more about how we can fight for you. You may receive compensation for lost wages and other damages.
Common Causes of Bicycle Collisions
Although bicycling is becoming a popular method of transportation, plenty of drivers are not as cautious as they should be. If they breach their duty of care to you, they may be responsible for your injuries. Some of the most typical reasons a bicycle accident occurs are as follows.
Speeding
Drivers who go over the posted speed limit frequently cause bicycle accidents. Speeding means that drivers have less time to react to dangerous situations. Thus, they may not see a bicyclist in their path. Furthermore, the more a driver speeds, the more intense the crash’s impact can be.
Not Leaving an Adequate Buffer
If drivers do not give bicyclists enough space, they are more likely to cause a collision. Drivers should provide an adequate buffer between themselves and the cyclist to help avoid accidents.
In Colorado, drivers need to give three feet of space, at minimum, between their vehicle and the bicyclist. This space must be between the widest point of the bicyclist and the widest part of the vehicle.
Distracted Driving
A driver not paying attention to the road can have immense consequences for all parties involved. Drivers are obligated to stay alert and have a duty not to drive while distracted. Distracted driving can consist of the following:
- Texting and driving,
- Eating and drinking, or
- Changing the music.
Get in touch with a Lakewood bike accident attorney if you believe a distracted driver may have caused your accident.
Failing to Yield
A driver failing to yield can also cause significant bicycle accidents. One illustration of a failure to yield is if a driver opens their car door in the path of an oncoming bicyclist. Another term for this is “dooring.”
Another example of this is the “right hook” bicycle accident. This is where a driver makes a right turn and does not see a bicyclist. The turning car then strikes the biker in the right lane.
What Steps Should I Take If I Get in a Bicycle Accident?
After a disorienting bicycle crash, you might not be sure what you should do next. Below are a few steps you can take after sustaining injuries in a bicycle accident. Following these steps will help ensure your safety, most importantly, and will help you when filing a claim.
Move Out of the Roadway
Although you may initially be too shocked to move, try to get off the road right away. It is critical to get out of the street so that no additional injuries take place.
Call the Police
After a bicycle accident, you should contact the police right away. They will be able to file an accident report and note all of the details of the crash. This will be crucial when it comes time for you to file a personal injury claim.
Collect Contact Information
It is vital that you reach out to the driver and other parties involved and gather their contact information. For starters, the information you should collect includes their name, address, and phone number. You should also record the license plate number, driver’s license number, and insurance policy information.
Get Medical Attention
After getting injured in a bicycle crash, you need to seek medical care right away. Try not to move around too much if you have significant injuries. You could have a concussion or other hidden injuries that you might overlook at first due to the shock of the crash. Reaching out to a medical professional can help ensure that you do not have any internal injuries or issues.
How We Can Assist You
After sustaining injuries in a bicycle accident, you need aggressive attorneys who can aid you in recovering compensation. If you believe you have a Lakewood bicycle accident case, reach out to our accomplished lawyers at Gerash Steiner Blanton. At our firm, our attorney Eric Steiner, M.D., has 20 years of hands-on experience in law. He also has 17 years of experience as a cardiac anesthesiologist. Our attorneys understand what you are going through and are ready to fight for you. Give us a call today to get started filing your claim. We are here for you every step of the way.