Bicycle Accident

Riding your bicycle on greenways and through parks is pleasant and usually safe, but once you take your bike onto a busy New Jersey thoroughfare, the danger grows exponentially. While drivers should obey the laws and give you space to ride, sometimes you get caught between a rock and the car lane. If you’ve been hit by a car, truck or other vehicle, call the best bicycle accident lawyer in NJ at RAM Law. Your dedicated bike crash attorney finds the reasons for your accident and pursues the best compensation that you need to recover. Call a bicycle accidents lawyer as soon as you can after the accident.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents?

Bicycle accidents are as common as other two-wheel vehicles like motorcycles and scooters. In fact, there has been a concerning increase in the number of cyclist fatalities in New Jersey. The data shows that in 2017, the number of cyclist deaths rose by more than 10 percent. Unfortunately, the trend has continued. In 2021 alone, the latest year for which data is available, 23 cyclists have lost their lives in traffic accidents in New Jersey. And this number doesn’t include the countless cyclists who have been injured, some severely, in these accidents. The most common bicycle accident is a collision with other vehicles that includes:

Dooring accidents. This happens when a driver or passenger in a parked car opens their door in front of a cyclist passing by. These accidents account for 25 percent of bicycle accidents in urban areas.
Left-hand turn accidents. These occur when a car makes a left turn and doesn’t see the oncoming cyclist. The cyclist can hit the side of the vehicle resulting in catastrophic injury.
Right-hand turn accidents. These occur when a driver fails to see the cyclist before making a right turn resulting in a head-on collision that can be dangerous as the rider is forced into oncoming
Rear-end collision. This collision occurs when a car hits a cyclist from behind because of not paying attention or following too closely.
Pedestrian accident. Pedestrian accidents happen when a cyclist collides or sideswipes a pedestrian, which is more likely to happen when cyclists ride on sidewalks.
Hit and run accidents. These are common accidents when a driver hits a cyclist and leaves the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident with any two or four-wheel accident or pedestrian is a crime.

Bicycle and car accidents often happen at intersections with no traffic signals or stop signs. In these situations, it’s hard for both a cyclist and a motorist to know who has the right of way. They both enter the intersection at the same time and crash, which causes severe injuries.

What Kind of Injuries Occur in a Bicycle Accident?

Certain injuries can be very painful and cause temporary disruptions to your daily life requiring a long time to heal. Catastrophic injuries, on the other hand, have a long-term impact on every aspect of your life, resulting in permanent changes in your quality of life. Injuries with long-term effects include:

Head and brain injuries
Back and neck injuries
Shoulder injury
Spinal cord injury
Broken bones and fractures
Hand and wrist injury

If you find yourself in a bicycle accident, seek the assistance of a bike crash lawyer from a bicycle accident law firm in your area. RAM Law in New Jersey can be a dependable partner in helping you navigate the complexities involved in bicycle accident cases. Their experienced bicycle accident attorneys are available and ready to help you. You don’t have to let the aftermath of a bicycle accident overwhelm you. Find your best cycling accident lawyer at RAM Law.

What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident?

Accidents can be stressful and overwhelming. Take steps to ensure that you have the necessary evidence and information for your insurance claim or lawsuit. First, check for any injuries and call the emergency services. If your physical condition allows it, next steps should include:

Moving to a safer place. Move to a safe location, away from the busy road, to avoid further harm or injury. Once you’re in a secure spot, assess any injuries that you or other accident victims may have sustained. Call 911 for medical care right away even if your injuries aren’t yet visible.
Reporting the accident. Call the police. Then wait for the police to arrive at the accident scene, even if you believe you’re not injured. This ensures that you have a record of the accident as well as the first responders’ written record of the circumstances.
Filling out the Information. Ensure that you fill out the accident report with your version of events while the police officer is present. Don’t admit guilt, however, and reserve judgment about the cause of the accident until you speak to your cycling accident lawyer.
Gathering the driver and witness information. Collect the contact information of the motor vehicle driver and any witnesses. This includes the driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, car registration number and insurance information.
Gathering accident information. Take detailed notes of the incident while it’s fresh on your mind. This includes information on how, where and when it happened, as well as the road, traffic and weather conditions. After the accident, try to write down everything you remember as soon as possible. This will help you in making a personal injury claim.
Documenting the scene. Keep all evidence of the accident intact. Leave damaged property as it is and don’t wash your clothes. Take pictures and videos of broken gear and surroundings.
Contacting a bicycle accident lawyer. Bicycle accident law firms like RAM Law provide free consultations for victims of bicycle accidents. They give you professional advice without charging you upfront fees.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer after a serious bicycle accident can help you manage the legal aspects of your case. They can handle paperwork, communicate with insurance carriers and meet filing requirements. A skilled lawyer can also provide emotional support and connect you with resources to aid in your recovery. Your bike accident lawyer can help your case in many ways. Some of the most important include:

Gathering evidence and talking to witnesses while their memories are fresh
Dealing with insurance companies, ensuring you don’t get pressured into taking a settlement offer and saving you time and headaches
Protecting you from mistakes that could hurt your claim
Determining how much insurance money you can get for your injuries and other losses
Countering the insurer’s tactics to avoid payment or reduce compensation
Giving you a clear picture of what to expect legally and financially
Demonstrating driver negligence and preventing exaggeration of your actions
Preventing low settlements and insurance company deception
Investigating your case effectively and using expert witnesses to strengthen it
Representing you in court if the case can’t be settled to your satisfaction

When investigating your accident, several aspects of your case will be reviewed. Your bicycle accident lawyer knows what information and documentation are needed to build a strong case for you. If you’re not experienced in personal injury law, you may not realize the full extent of your damages and could accept a low settlement offer from the insurance company.

What Type of Compensation Can a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Get Me?

When you’re involved in a bike accident, fortunately, in most states, you can receive compensation for your injuries and losses from the at-fault driver responsible for the accident. That’s where a knowledgeable bike accident lawyer comes in. They work tirelessly to prove that the driver was negligent and caused the accident by not following the road rules or driving recklessly. By doing so, your lawyer helps you recover both economic and non-economic losses that resulted from the accident. In the event of a bicycle accident, different types of compensation can be claimed, including:

Medical bills. You can get money to pay for everything related to your medical treatment and recovery.
Pain and suffering. You can get money for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
Lost wages. If you must take time off work because of your injuries or to go to doctor’s appointments related to your accident, you can get money to cover the wages you lost.
Punitive damages. Some states allow you to get extra money as punishment for the person who caused the accident. This is meant to discourage other people from being careless.
Permanent disability. This compensation covers permanent disabilities or impairments resulting from the accident that affect your ability to work or carry out daily activities.
Wrongful death. In case the bicycle accident results in a fatality, surviving family members can pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim for expenses such as funeral costs, loss of financial support and other related damages.
Cost to repair or replace your bicycle. If your bike was damaged in an accident, you can recover the cost to repair or replace it. This includes the cost of repairing or replacing any other damaged equipment, such as helmets, gloves or other protective gear.

The compensation you may receive depends on various factors, including the severity of your injuries, the circumstances surrounding the accident and the laws in your state. Consult with an experienced bike crash attorney to help you navigate the complicated legal process and maximize your compensation. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in New Jersey, you have the option to seek compensation for your injuries. Options available include:

Personal injury protection (PIP). In New Jersey, PIP benefits under your insurance policy can cover your medical costs and lost income, no matter who caused the accident.
Third-party claim. If the accident was caused by someone else’s mistake and your injuries are more severe than what PIP can cover, you can make a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance coverage to pay you in full, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist policy can help cover the remaining expenses.
Product liability lawsuit. If a malfunctioning bicycle component or equipment contributed to the accident, you might be able to sue the manufacturer or distributor for product liability.

What Interventions Can Curb Bicycle Accidents?

Several interventions can be implemented to reduce bicycle accidents in New Jersey. One such intervention was the passing of a law that the State legislature put into effect. Before August 2021, there was no law requiring vehicles to pass cyclists safely. However, the new law mandates that all vehicles must maintain a distance of at least four feet between their vehicle and the cyclist when passing them. Other effective interventions that could help improve bicycle safety include:

Mandatory helmet laws. Requiring all cyclists to wear helmets could prevent many deaths and serious injuries. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of head and brain injuries that occur during bicycle accidents.
Improved road design. The state needs to maintain safe roads and infrastructure that cater to both vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Proper clothing. Wearing reflective and bright-colored clothing makes cyclists more visible, especially in low-light conditions.
Equipping bikes with lights. Cyclists should ensure that their bikes have proper lighting to make them visible to other vehicles from a distance.
Route planning. Plan your route carefully and avoid busy roads and intersections. Ride on designated bike lanes with a physical barrier for safety.
Skills development. Develop your cycling skills and feel confident on the road before cycling in traffic.

Address interventions to prevent accidents that can cause severe injuries. Bicycle accidents can occur due to various reasons, so learn what they are to avoid them. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:

Drivers who don’t give bicyclists enough space or respect their right to be on the road. This often happens when drivers turn, merge or enter an intersection, or fail to follow traffic signals.
Distracted driving, such as using a phone or navigation system, eating or drinking, or being drowsy or impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Aggressive driving, such as speeding, tailgating or blocking the bike lane.
Dangerous road conditions, such as potholes, sewer grates or railroad tracks.
Defects in a bicycle’s design or parts, such as brake failure, tire issues, or incorrect materials or assembly.