-
Bicyclists Beware! Vehicle Drivers Rarely See You
on February 6, 2014
on February 6, 2014Riding a bicycle is a great form of fun and exercise. However, it can be dangerous, especially if you are riding on the roadway with motor vehicles. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 677 pedalcyclists were killed and an estimated 48,000 pedalcyclists were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2011.
Unfortunately, drivers of motor vehicles are often unaware of the rules for sharing the road with bicyclists. As a result, accidents often occur when a:
- Driver is distracted. In our world of multi-tasking, many drivers are distracted by talking on a cell phone, texting, grooming, talking to other passengers and other things that take their focus off of driving safely.
- Driver fails to yield. Crashes commonly occur at intersections. Motorists are often unaware of a cyclist’s presence and fail to yield the right-of-way or turn into the path of the bicyclist.
- Driver is impaired. Motorists driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol accounts for a large percentage of all bicycle accidents.
- Driver veers into the bike lane. Cyclists should feel safer when riding in a bike lane, but injuries frequently occur when a driver is unaware of the bicyclist and unexpectedly swerves into bike lane.
When you or a loved one is injured in a bicycle accident, the personal injury attorneys at Slater, Tenaglia, Fritz & Hunt can help you pursue compensation for your injuries. Damages may include medical expenses, loss of wages and pain and suffering. Let us fight with the insurance companies and help you obtain the maximum monetary award available to you.
If you or a loved one has been injured by another party’s negligence, contact Slater, Tenaglia, Fritz & Hunt to schedule a free initial consultation. We can help you understand your legal options and how you can recover for your medical bills and other damages suffered from the accident. If you need assistance, or are interested in learning more, please contact us by phone at (201) 820-6001 in New Jersey or (212) 692-0200 in New York. We can also be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, Youtube and on the Internet. All personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no risk to you.