There’s no denying that bicycling can be fun and rewarding; you get where you’re going without polluting the environment—and it’s great exercise that gives your body a real workout. However, it’s also a dangerous endeavor, and you are at risk every time you get behind the handlebars and head out. The numbers don’t lie: more than 500,000 people are treated in emergency rooms across the country each year for bike-related injuries. And while most bicycle accidents result in treatable injuries, hundreds of people die from their injuries. If the negligence of someone else results in your injuries while riding your bicycle, then our Kirkland bicycle accident attorney can help you hold the responsible person accountable for your losses.
With the growing number of bicyclists on the road, the number of people injured each year in bike-related accidents has also increased. Bicycles are now the leading cause of head injuries throughout the United States, with approximately 85,000 people sustaining head or traumatic brain injuries each year and 400 of those people dying from these types of injuries. Because bicyclists are so vulnerable on the roadway, sharing their space with fast-moving cars and other vehicles, they stand little chance when a car turns into their path, runs them off the road, or rear ends them in traffic. Even low-speed collisions can leave the bicyclists with traumatic injuries, including head injuries and road rash. In worst-case scenarios, bicyclists can be run over and experience crushing injuries that are usually life-threatening. The most common bicycle accident injuries include:
Even when cyclists gear up with regulation safety gear, they have little protection from the massive force of a vehicle when it crashes into them. Although a bicycle accident can occur due to a number of different factors, some of the most common include:
It is not always other drivers that cause bicycle accidents. Sometimes the terrain itself or even the signage and traffic control devices on the bike route are to blame. This is sometimes seen with broken traffic signals, defective or ill-placed warning signs, lack of warning signs, lack of guardrails, and defective guardrails. Debris in the bike’s path or broken pavement can also cause accidents. In addition, defectively designed bicycles and defective bicycle parts are other potential causes of horrible wrecks.
When it comes to bicycle accidents and the personal injury claims that result, time is of the essence. In Washington State, there is a three-year statute of limitations that applies to personal injury claims. You have just three years from the date of your accident to file any related claims. Contact Russell and Hill immediately to get the ball rolling in your case. Our Kirkland bicycle accident attorney is standing by to consult with you and determine the best course of action moving forward. Schedule your no-cost consultation now.
