What to Do if You Get Hit By a Car on Your Bicycle

Riding a bike is a convenient and affordable way to commute. However, riding a bike comes with several risks. Cyclists can become seriously injured in an accident because they have very little protection in an accident compared to passengers and drivers inside cars and trucks. When an accident involving a bicyclist and a motorist occurs, the bicyclist is likely to suffer more severe injuries. Even a seemingly minor accident can lead to severe injuries and damages for a person on a bicycle.

Any driver operating a motor vehicle should maintain a minimum distance of 4 feet from any cyclist and drive at a prudent speed. For accidents that occur in Pennsylvania, accidents involving bicycles are treated similarly to those involving only cars. Especially in the case of severe injuries, it is highly recommended that the bicyclist or motorist report the accident to the appropriate law enforcement.

If you are injured in an accident, you can consult an experienced Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer to learn more about your legal options. Your lawyer can help you seek fair compensation for your injuries.

What are the dangers of riding a bicycle?

Many people ride a bicycle for health purposes, and it is a convenient mode of transportation, as well. However, there are various risks associated with riding a bicycle. Some of the common dangers of riding a bicycle are explained below:

• Intersections: Intersections can create a risky situation for bicyclists, especially when traffic is heavy. These intersections are designed with cars and trucks in mind, and they do not necessarily keep pedestrians’ or bicycles’ best interests in mind. Therefore, it can be challenging for bicyclists to make turns before other vehicles barrel through.
• Sudden movement of cars or car doors: Accidents caused by sudden car movements or haphazardly opened car doors are entirely preventable when people follow all the safety laws. However, car passengers often fail to pay attention to the bike lane and may open the car door without looking first. An unexpectedly open car door could cause a cyclist to lose their balance or knock them off their bike. These types of accidents can result in serious injuries.
• Weather hazards: Weather is one of the conditions that may affect bicyclists and cannot be prevented. Before any cyclist heads out for a ride, they should check the weather.

How do collisions between cyclists and motorists happen?

In most cases, these collisions occur at an intersection or when either the cyclist or the motorist is trying to make a turn. A minor collision can destroy a bicyclist’s life and cause severe injuries. These collisions are even more likely to occur when motorists fail to follow the basic safety laws, such as maintaining proper distance and operating at safe speeds.

What types of injuries can a bicyclist incur in an accident?

Bicyclists are prone to severe injuries because of the unprotected nature of the bicycle. Injuries caused in a bicycle accident can cause paralysis and serious neurological damage. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 850 bicyclists died in traffic accidents in 2019 across the United States. Traffic crashes can have devastating consequences, and these are some of the most common injuries that bicyclists can experience in an accident:

• Soft-tissue injuries? Broken bones? Cuts? Bruises? Sprains? Internal injuries? Amputation or loss of body parts? Traumatic brain injury? Scars and disfigurement? Head and neck injuries? Spinal cord damage? Death

What steps should cyclists take after they are hit by a car?

It can be challenging to remember what steps to take if you have been hit by a car. Here are a few things you should consider following a bike accident:

• Call 911 and report the incident to the police, regardless of whether you have sustained minor or major injuries. Having an official police report can strengthen your legal case, and reporting the incident gives the police an opportunity to conduct a proper investigation into how the accident occurred.? Take pictures and videos of the car and bike. You should consider taking photos and videos of the whole scene and from different angles.
• • Gather information from eyewitnesses. Any information about the accident can help you prove the other party’s negligence and potentially help you to secure the compensation that you deserve.

• Do not make any statement at the scene. It is recommended to avoid communicating with anyone at the scene, including other drivers or passengers in other vehicles. One wrong statement can turn the whole situation against you. Wait until you speak with a lawyer before determining whether to communicate with the other party.

What kinds of compensation can one recover in a bicycle accident?

You can receive compensation for your medical bills for injuries caused by a bicycle accident, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, the amount of compensation will vary depending on your situation. Pennsylvania follows the doctrine of comparative negligence, which may reduce your compensation if your negligence contributed to the accident’s occurrence.

Therefore, you should consider seeking consultation from an attorney to learn about the legal options available to you. The same applies for people involved in a motorcycle accident, who can contact a Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer to pursue compensation for their injuries.