Bicycle Accident Attorneys New Jersey
Helping Injured Cyclists throughout the state of New Jersey
New Jersey’s many congested roads, high speeds, and convoluted traffic flows all lead to a dangerous environment for cyclists.
As more people turn to bicycles for reliable, cheap, and responsible means of transportation, or just for enjoyment, often times the local infrastructure cannot keep up, and cyclists are left traveling on roads which aren’t really 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 your injuries, and their resulting 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 the state of New Jersey area 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 cyclists in the local area.
Call our office today to discuss your unique needs and concerns when it comes to any kind of bicycle accident injury in a free and confidential consultation with our attorney team.
New Jersey Bicycle Accident Lawyer Recommends Next Steps
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, here are a few steps that can be taken to protect both your health and the strength of any potential bicycle injury claim you may have:
- Contact 911 as soon as possible. The shocking nature of these incidents can cause victims to take irrational actions such as moving when injured or refusing medical treatment. All parties should remain as calm as possible to lessen the risk of further injury.
- If the bicycle accident involved a motor vehicle, get 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 interesting 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. These documents will often waive rights and offer low compensation to unknowing victims.
- If you are physically well enough and have an appropriate device, taking photographs of the accident can be immensely useful down the line. Do your best to capture the entirety of the scene as well as any smaller details that may be relevant. Our New Jersey bicycle accident lawyers can use these photos to later prove the cause of the accident. They can also be used as evidence of personal injury, property damage, as well as relevant surroundings such as signage or dangerous conditions.
- See a doctor, regardless of symptoms. Victims may feel fine in the immediate aftermath, only to have symptoms of injuries present later. By seeing a physician, you can be assured one way or another. Many brain, spinal cord, back, and other nervous system related injuries are not obvious to the victim at the time of injury. This also strengthens your case, as seeing a doctor weeks or months later can be too late to prove the accident was the cause of your injury.
New Jersey Bicycle Accident Lawyers Discuss Common Causes
Some of the most common causes of bicycles accidents causing serious injury are:
- Crossing the roadway
- Riding with the flow of traffic
- Riding against the flow of traffic
- Riding adjacent to roadway on a shoulder or median
- Riding on sidewalk
With these elements in mind, there are several controllable factors that New Jersey bikers can keep in mind to stay safe. New Jersey state law dictates that all persons under 17 years of age must wear a safety helmet (this includes roller skates, inline skates, and skateboards). This is in large part due to the fact that head injury is the leading cause of death and serious injury for cyclists, the risk of which can be mitigated by proper headgear. Additionally, keeping your bike in good condition, using reflective surface and/or lights, and obeying street laws are all great ways to stay out of harm’s way.
Safe practices do not guarantee a safe ride, however. Many times inattentive drivers or dangerous conditions can lead to a bicycle accident. It is also important to note that if a victim in a bicycle accident is partially at fault, that individual may still be able to recover compensation for their damages thanks to comparative negligence laws, as long as the injury victim is not 50% or more responsible for the accident.
New Jersey Bicycle Accident Attorneys Recover Financial Compensation
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. However, the goal of a bicycle accident personal injury claim is to recoup precisely 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 steps outlined in our “Recommended Next Steps” section, victims of bicycle accident injuries can not only protect their health, but also work towards building a strong and winnable personal injury claim.