A bike ride can turn dangerous the moment a careless driver fails to see you. Cyclists have little protection, so even a low-speed collision can cause lasting harm. Common injuries from bicycle accidents in Bloomfield range from painful scrapes to serious, life-altering conditions.
If a driver’s negligence has left you injured, you should not have to handle the recovery and the insurance calls alone. A bicycle accident lawyer can protect your rights and pursue the compensation you need to heal.
What Are the Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?
When a car strikes a cyclist, the rider absorbs much of the impact’s force. The rider is often thrown from the bike, which can cause injuries throughout the body. The most common bicycle accident injuries in Bloomfield include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Road rash and deep skin abrasions
- Broken bones, especially the arms, wrists, and collarbone
- Facial and dental injuries
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Shoulder separations and torn ligaments
A helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury, but it cannot prevent every type of harm. Many riders injured in bicycle accidents face months of treatment and a lengthy recovery.
How Injury Evidence Shapes the Value of a Bike Wreck Claim
The value of an injury claim depends on more than a diagnosis. The analysis may account for how long treatment lasts, how the injury limits you, and whether you have to miss work. Scarring and future medical needs may also affect the claim’s value.
Evidence from the crash scene can support that analysis. Photographs, witness statements, and damage to the bicycle may help demonstrate the force of impact. Available video can provide further context and reinforce the connection between the collision and your injuries.
Fault can also influence recovery. New Jersey’s comparative negligence rule allows courts to assign responsibility to multiple parties and may reduce an award by the injured person’s share of fault. When representing cyclists who have suffered common injuries, a Bloomfield attorney can respond to insurer claims that your lane position, visibility, or reaction contributed to the crash.
Understanding Your Rights After a Bicycle Crash
Many drivers incorrectly believe that cyclists do not belong on the road, but state law says otherwise. Under New Jersey Statutes Annotated § 39:4-14.1, a person riding a bicycle has the same rights and duties as the driver of a car, which means a motorist must share the road and exercise reasonable care around cyclists. The law also requires drivers to give bike riders a safe distance of several feet when passing.
When a driver ignores that duty and causes a crash, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses and lost income. Your claim may also account for the physical pain and personal disruption that follow the accident. If you are facing one of the common injuries after a Bloomfield bike crash, your attorney can collect evidence, handle communications with the insurance company, and build a claim that reflects the full extent of your losses.
Contact a Bloomfield Bicycle Accident Lawyer Regarding Common Injuries
A serious bicycle crash can affect your health, your finances, and your ability to stay active. You deserve a legal team that takes your injuries seriously and treats you like a person, not a file number. Common injuries from bicycle accidents in Bloomfield often require long-term care, and a skilled lawyer can help you pursue all the compensation you are owed.
Evidence such as video footage and vehicle data can fade quickly after a crash, making prompt action important. Contact us at Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC today for a free consultation. Our team brings together big-firm resources and personal care to protect your case.
