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Riding a bicycle can be a lot of fun and is great exercise, but the truth is that bicyclists put themselves at risk every time they get behind the handle bars and take off across town. Bicycle accidents occur at an alarming frequency in the United States; more than a half-million people visit ER rooms across the country each year complaining of bicycle-related injuries. Unfortunately, approximately 600 people in the U.S. succumb to their bicycle accident injuries annually. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident due to the negligence of someone else, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses from the responsible party. Our Morgantown bicycle accident attorney can help.
Data from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons shows that bicycle accidents are the leading cause of head injuries in our country. In fact, around 85,000 people experience head injuries due to bicycling accidents each year. Around 400 people die each year from traumatic brain injuries sustained while cycling. Other injuries that are common among bicyclists are spinal injuries and spinal column damage, open fractures, broken bones (esp. femurs and collarbones), deep scratches and lacerations. Accidents involving bicycles versus autos never have a good ending. Despite cyclists geared up with helmets and other safety gear, they remain vulnerable to serious trauma.
While most bike rides in Morgantown go off without a hitch, it takes just seconds for a leisurely ride to turn sour. A number of different conditions can cause bike accidents, but the most common among them are:
While most bicycle accidents are caused by a driver’s negligence, there are exceptions. Broken pavement, slippery roads, unsafe road conditions, and debris in the path of the cyclist can also lead to a serious bicycle accident. In these cases, the liability for the cyclist’s injuries falls on the shoulders of whoever is tasked with keeping the road or bike lane safe for bike traffic. This is usually a government entity or agency, although that’s not always the case.
Time is true of the essence when you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident. You have a right to collect damages for medical bills, physical therapy, and rehab, lost wages, future lost income, and pain and suffering—but only if your claim is entered into the record in a timely fashion. West Virginia allocates two years for accident victims to file their personal injury claims. After that time period, you may be barred forever from filing a civil action against the at-fault party or parties.
Speak to our legal team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich, & Fishman right away following your accident. Our bicycle accident attorney can help you understand the legal options available to you and determine your best course of action moving forward.