Bike Accident Lawyers in Birmingham
Bicycle Verses Motor Vehicle Accidents
Bicycles are a healthy and convenient method for getting around Birmingham. As a rider, you get exercise, you don't have to worry about parking, you don't spend any money on gas, and it's environmentally friendly. The only drawback is the negligent drivers on Alabama's roads.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. To find out more about your legal rights and options, you need to talk to a skilled and compassionate accident attorney in Birmingham. Guster Law Firm, LLC has been successfully representing Alabama injury victims since 2002. Let us put our tenacity and knowledge behind your case. Call us at (877) 487-8375 for a free consultation.
Compensation in a Bicycle vs. Motor Vehicle Accident in Birmingham
If you or a family member is injured in an accident with a car, you or they may be eligible to pursue compensation for the following damages if the motorist is found to be at fault:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Permanent injury or disability
- Costs of physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Household and vehicle modifications while you recover (wheelchair ramps, etc.)
- Loss of a limb
- Paralysis
- Hedonic damages for loss of joy of life
- Punitive damages
- Wrongful death damages if you and your family have lost a loved one
Common Causes of Birmingham Bicycle vs. Motor Vehicle Accidents
Bicycle vs. motor vehicle accidents occur for a variety of reasons. While many drivers blame these accidents on bicyclists riding poorly, blowing through stop signs and traffic signals, not signaling or being aware of traffic, the reality is quite different. Vehicle accident studies show that less than 10 percent of bicycle vs. motor vehicle accidents were caused by the bicyclist. The four most common causes of bicycle vs. motor vehicle accidents are:
- A motor vehicle coming to an intersection and not completely stopping or proceeding into the intersection before it was safe to do so
- A motor vehicle turning in front of bicycle rider
- A motor vehicle unsafely overtaking a bicycle or passing too close
- A motor vehicle opening its door into a passing cyclist
This evidence suggests that bicycle vs. motor vehicle accidents have much more to do with inattentive and aggressive driving than poor cycling behavior.
Bike Accident Statistics
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, in 2013 there were 264 traffic accidents involving bicycles, resulting in 192 injuries and six fatalities. While those numbers are down from earlier in this decade, they are still too high to be acceptable. Nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2013 saw a tragic 743 bicycle fatalities caused by motor vehicles. Bicycle accidents are a problem nationwide, not just in Birmingham.
Contact a Birmingham Bike Accident Attorney Today
While the Birmingham, car accident lawyers at Guster Law Firm, LLC sincerely hope you never need our services, rest assured that we will be there to represent you and your family should you ever need us. We can help you pursue a financial settlement that helps you heal and move on after a bicycle accident. Call our Birmingham offices for a free consultation at (877) 487-8375.