New Jersey’s many congested roads, high speed limited, and convoluted traffic flows can create a dangerous environment for cyclists.
As more people turn to bicycles for reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible transportation, oftentimes the local infrastructure cannot keep up. Cyclists are left traveling on roads that aren’t designed with their safety in mind.
If you or a loved one has been injured while riding a bicycle due to the reckless or negligent actions of another driver, it may be possible to recover the compensation you need and deserve for medical expenses, lost income, and emotional and physical pain and suffering.
At The Law Office of Fredson Statmore Bitterman, we have been assisting victims of bicycle accident injuries throughout New Jersey for decades. Put your case in the hands of the law firm with the experience, legal skills, and hands-on approach that has led to countless successful settlements for local cyclists.
Call our office today for a free confidential consultation with our personal injury attorney team to discuss your unique needs and concerns with a Bloomfield bicycle accident lawyer.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in New Jersey
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents that result in serious injury are:
- Crossing the roadway
- Riding with the flow of traffic
- Riding against the flow of traffic
- Riding adjacent to the roadway on a shoulder or median
- Riding on sidewalks
Recommended Next Steps for After a Bike Accident
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, here are a few steps that you can take to protect both your health and the strength of any potential injury claim you may have:
- Call 911 as soon as possible. The shocking nature of these incidents can cause victims to act irrationally. They may move when injured or refuse medical treatment. All parties should remain calm and stay in a safe spot to lessen the risk of further injury.
- If the bicycle accident involved a motor vehicle, obtain the other party’s insurance information, insurance policy number, driver’s license, license plate number, and any other information that may be relevant.
- Avoid signing anything before speaking to your attorney. Insurance companies are interested in settling claims quickly and cheaply; if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Documents offered by insurance companies can take advantage of traumatized or injured victims through complicated wording that often waives rights and offers low compensation to unsuspecting victims.
- If you are physically unharmed and have a mobile phone or camera, taking photographs of the accident can be immensely useful should you choose to pursue a case. Do your best to capture the entirety of the scene as well as smaller relevant details. Our Bloomfield bicycle crash attorneys can use these photos to help prove the cause of the accident. The photos can also be used as evidence of personal injury, property damage, applicable signage, and potentially dangerous conditions.
- Seek medical attention even in the absence of symptoms. Victims may feel fine in the immediate aftermath, only to have symptoms appear later. Many brain, spinal cord, back, and other nervous system injuries are not obvious to the victim at the time of injury. Seeing a doctor immediately can also build proof that your injuries were directly caused by the accident.
How to Prevent Bicycle Accidents Injuries
New Jersey state law dictates that all persons under 17 years of age must wear a safety helmet (this includes users of roller skates, inline skates, and skateboards). Head injury is the leading cause of death and serious injury for cyclists, but the risk of this injury can be mitigated by wearing proper headgear. Additionally, keeping your bike in good condition, using reflective surfaces and lights, and obeying street laws are all ways that cyclists can do their part to avoid injuries.
As a Bloomfield bicycle wreck attorney can attest, safe practices do not guarantee a safe ride. Many times, inattentive drivers or dangerous conditions can lead to a bicycle accident. It is also important to note that if a victim of a bicycle accident is partially at fault, that individual may still be able to recover compensation for their damages as long as they are not 50% or more responsible for the accident. This is due to comparative negligence laws.
Contact Our Bloomfield Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today
Bicycle accident injuries can often result in exorbitant medical expenses, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and a loss of income due to an inability to work. The goal of a bicycle accident personal injury claim is to recover these types of damages for the victim.
In order for any New Jersey bicycle accident injury claim to be successful, the victim and their attorney will need to prove that either reckless actions from another party or dangerous conditions directly led to the accident and the resulting injuries.
By following the points outlined in our Recommended Next Steps section above, victims of bicycle accident injuries can not only protect their health, but also work towards building a strong personal injury claim. Contact us today for a free, no-obligations consultation with our Bloomfield bicycle accident lawyers regarding your case.
