If you are ever hit by a motorist while cycling, you may be in too much shock to know what to do. This guest post explains the 3 crucial things you should do in this situation.
Because a bicycle is considered a vehicle under most state laws in the USA, cyclists are required to follow the same rules of the road as a motor vehicle driver. This includes obeying traffic signals, using proper lighting at certain times of the day, and providing other road users the same courtesies you would expect from them — such as indicating turns, stopping with enough advance notice for the vehicle behind you to stop, and yielding to oncoming traffic. However, when it comes to collisions, cyclists are hardly ever treated equally.
To begin, cyclists are more likely to sustain much graver injuries than the driver of a car, truck, or other motor vehicle. Secondly, it may be difficult to file a successful personal injury claim as a cyclist, as being a cyclist on the road automatically places you at a greater risk for danger. Finally, it can be difficult for a cyclist who was involved in a bicycle-motor vehicle collision to find an accident attorney to represent them in a personal injury claim.
Ultimately, it is important for all road users to learn about cycling safety and practice it. By encouraging cyclists and the drivers of motor vehicles alike to practice safe biking and driving techniques, we can all reduce the amount of collisions. However, in the event that a cyclist is hit, a cyclist may need to reach out to a personal injury attorney for help..
Common Cycling Collisions to Watch Out For
According to the accompanying Bicycle Safety Infographic, there are eight common types of bicycling collisions. They are:
1. The Right Cross: This occurs when a driver pulls out of a side street, parking lot, or driveway to the right of the cyclist.
2. The Door Prize: This happens when a driver opens his or her door in front of a cyclist who is too near to the door to stop in time, and so ends up hitting it.
3. The Crosswalk Slam: The Crosswalk Slam occurs when a cyclist is riding his or her bike through a crosswalk and a driver attempts to make a right turn, does not see them, and so runs into them.
4. The Wrong-Way Wreck: This occurs when a cyclist is riding against traffic and a driver turns out from a side street and runs right into them.
5. The Red Light of Death: This occurs when both a cyclist and a driver are stopped at a stoplight; when the light turns green, the cyclist goes straight, but the driver, who does not see the cyclist, turns right, right into the biker.
6. The Right Hook: This occurs when a driver passes a cyclist, but then immediately makes a right turn, right into the oncoming cyclist.
7. The Left Cross: This is similar to the Right Hook, except that it occurs when a driver turns left into an oncoming cyclist.
8. The Rear End: This occurs when a cyclist makes a small maneuver to go around a parked car or some other road obstruction, and an oncoming driver slams his or her car right into them from behind.
What To Do After a Cycling Collision
According to the infographic, there are three things you should do in the event of a cycling collision. They are:
1. Contact law enforcement and file an accident report immediately;
2. Find eyewitnesses and obtain their contact information; and
3. Consult an accident lawyer.
Obtain a Cycle Collision Attorney
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a collision involving a bicycle, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer immediately. A skilled attorney can help you file a claim to recover compensation while ensuring your rights are protected throughout each step of the process.
Note: This post was written by a Utah attorney, but the applicable laws are pretty much universal throughout the USA.
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