Forest Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Many students in Forest rely on bicycling to and from classes and work. Bicycling has become more popular than ever, and other Forest residents bicycle for recreation or to commute to and from work.
Due to poor infrastructure and negligent drivers, Forest bicyclists still face serious injuries and death. If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in a bicycle accident in Virginia, reach out to the experienced Attorneys at Straw Law Firm today. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Bicycle Accident Injuries and Deaths are on the Rise
Bicycle fatalities have increased in the last few years in Virginia. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles released a statement saying that bicycle fatalities had increased by 75%. Every year, there are approximately 500 bicycle accidents, many of them causing serious injuries or death. Additionally, the number of preventable deaths from bicycle accidents has increased by 44% in the last decade. Generally, bicycle-related fatalities increase during the warmer months when more people are bicycling.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Forest
Even when bicyclists are wearing helmets and other safety equipment, they are still at risk of becoming injured by negligent drivers. The most cutting-edge safety equipment cannot stop bicycle accidents caused by road hazards and distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise negligent motor vehicle drivers. Some of the most common causes of preventable bicycle accidents include the following:
- Failure to yield entering the roadway: Bicycle accidents often occur when drivers do not look for cyclists pulling out of parking lots or driveways. Bicyclists should use reasonable care when looking for cyclists before they enter the roadway.
- Passing Too Closely: When motorists fail to provide at least three feet of space while passing, they can force bicyclists to lose control of their bicycles and collide with the mirrors of the vehicles
- Right turn collisions: Drivers who fail to yield to bicycle traffic while making right-hand turns across bicycle lanes can collide with bicyclists using the lanes and cause dangerous accidents
- Unsafe road conditions: Potholes, unmarked road construction, and road debris can cause bicyclists to lose control of their bicycles
The biggest threat to bicyclists in Forest is cars. When drivers are intoxicated, tired, or simply not paying attention to the road, they may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision with a bicyclist. In other cases, drivers become too aggressive, refusing to share the road with bicyclists. There may be a lack of visibility, making it difficult for the driver to see the bicyclist before it’s too late. Collisions with large trucks, SUVs, and buses are the most dangerous for bicyclists because of the disparity in size. Bicycle accidents can also involve collisions with negligent pedestrians and accidents caused by poor road conditions.
Virginia Laws Affecting Bicyclists
Virginia passed two laws to make roads safer for bicyclists. They require drivers to change lanes to pass a bicyclist. The second law allows bicyclists to stay alongside each other in a single lane. Doing so makes it easier for them to pass and remain visible to vehicles.
Unfortunately, even with these new laws, bicyclists continue to be injured. As mentioned above, many bicycle accidents are caused by distracted drivers or those who choose to disobey traffic laws. Many bicycle safety advocates have stated that we need better infrastructure, including additional bike lanes in Forest and slower speeds in Virginia.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists do not have the same type of protection that drivers and passengers enjoy. When a motor vehicle collides with a bicyclist, the bicyclist will suffer more severe injuries. Bicycles lack any protective layer, and when a motor vehicle strikes a bicyclist, the force of the accident can cause devastating injuries. Most bicycle accident injuries are serious, even if the collision occurred at relatively low speeds. Some of the most common types of injuries and bicycle accidents include the following:
- Cuts and scrapes
- Bruises
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Torn ligaments and muscles
- Paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Death
How Much is My Case Worth?
According to the National Safety Council, injuries and deaths from bicycle accidents cause over four billion dollars in financial losses each year in the United States. Suffering a brain injury, spinal cord injury, or another type of serious injury after a bicycle accident can be financially devastating for victims. Every case is unique, and the best way to learn what your case is worth is to discuss your case with one of our skilled personal injury attorneys. We can give you an estimate of what your case may be worth.
If a motor vehicle driver injured you, you could pursue damages through an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You can also pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident. There could be other liable third parties from home you can pursue compensation.
For example, if a runner walked into your path negligently, causing the bicyclist to swerve into you, you may be able to pursue compensation from the runner. If a dangerous road condition causes the accident, you might be able to pursue compensation from the responsible municipality. Successful plaintiffs are entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses when a loved one is killed.
Discuss Your Bicycle Accident Case With an Experienced Attorney
The attorneys at Straw Law Firm have assisted bicycles in Forest and throughout Virginia, in obtaining the benefits they deserve after being injured by a negligent driver. We understand the devastating consequences of being seriously injured. Discussing your case with a bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the collision is worth discussing with an attorney. We will investigate your case and develop an effective legal strategy for obtaining compensation. Contact Straw Law Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation and learn more about how we can fight for you.
