Bicycle Accidents

Seeking Justice and Reclaiming Your Life After a Bicycle Accident 

In Ohio, bicycling is a popular mode of transportation, a great exercise, and environmentally friendly. However, bicycling can pose severe risks of harm despite using protective equipment such as helmets, reflective clothing, and light reflectors.

If you or a loved one have suffered an injury from a bicycle accident, our bicycle accident attorney in Beachwood, OH can help. 

We have experience helping victims involved in bicycle accidents obtain the compensation they deserve. We can work with bicycle accident victims through all stages of their claims. We will fight to ensure they receive all compensation they are entitled to based on the law and facts of the case.

What are the Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?

While riding a bicycle can be enjoyable, accidents can happen, and cyclists are vulnerable to injuries due to the lack of protective barriers. Here are some of the most common bicycle accident injuries you may encounter:

Head Injuries or Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head injuries can happen even when helmets are worn. This is common when cyclists collide with vehicles on a paved road. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, leading to long-term complications or death.

Fractures and Broken Bones

The impact of a bicycle accident can cause fractures and broken bones in various parts of the body. Fractures typically cause intense pain and immediate swelling at the injury site. In some cases, fractures can lead to visible deformities, such as an abnormal alignment or protrusion of a bone. 

Broken bones or another type of fracture might not be life-threatening. Still, they can be painful, especially when multiple injuries are involved. 

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue, tendon, muscle, and ligament injuries can occur when the body is stretched unnaturally. These soft tissues can tear, leaving the victim in severe pain. 

In bicycle accidents, road rash, abrasions, contusions, and sprains are typical soft tissue injuries. Loss of function (temporary or permanent) is common after soft tissue injuries, and they often need physical therapy or surgical intervention to recover full function.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord, which carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body, is highly vulnerable to injury during high-impact collisions or falls. In severe cases, bicycle accidents can result in neck and spinal cord injuries, leading to partial or complete paralysis. 

Spinal cord injuries often have long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. These injuries require comprehensive medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing management. 

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries can occur in bicycle accidents due to high-velocity impact or forceful collision with objects or vehicles. These injuries may not always be immediately apparent, and their severity can vary, so seeking medical attention is crucial after an accident. 

The forceful impact of a bicycle accident can cause internal injuries, such as organ damage, internal bleeding, or damage to blood vessels. The accident can also result in lacerations, contusions, or punctures to these organs. 

Facial Injuries

Facial injuries are common in bicycle accidents, as the face is particularly vulnerable to direct impact during a fall or collision. These injuries range from minor cuts and bruises to severe fractures and soft tissue damage. Facial injuries can often be mitigated by wearing a helmet. Still, even helmet wearers may find themselves subject to scarring, eye injuries, and other consequences.

The impact of a bicycle accident can also cause fractures in the facial bones, including the nose, cheekbones, jawbone, and eye sockets. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, deformity, difficulty chewing or breathing, and may require surgical intervention for repair.

Death

Even bicyclists who wear appropriate safety gear and use helmets and reflectors can be killed in an accident. When a collision occurs between a bicycle and a motor vehicle or due to other factors, the injuries sustained can be severe and sometimes fatal. 

What Should I Do After A Bicycle Accident?

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident in Ohio, take specific steps to protect your well-being, gather evidence, and ensure the best possible outcome. A bicycle accident attorney in Beachwood, OH, can guide you on what you should do after a bicycle accident:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If you’re involved in a bicycle accident, your health and safety should be your top priority. If you’ve been injured, call for medical assistance or ask someone else to do so. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, getting a medical evaluation to identify hidden or delayed-onset damages is highly advisable.

Contact the Authorities

Call the police to report the accident. They will document the incident, create an official report, and ensure all parties exchange the necessary information. 

Even if you think you’re not injured, it’s vital that you wait for the police to arrive at the accident scene so that they can take and file a police report. This police report can be valuable when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action later.

Exchange Information

Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident, including drivers, passengers, and witnesses. As long as you are physically able, information should be collected at the scene of the accident:

• Get the name, address, and contact information of the driver of the motor vehicle
• Get the contact information of eyewitnesses who saw the accident
• Get the license plate number and insurance details of the other people involved

Document the Accident Scene

If you are physically able, gather evidence from the accident scene. Take photos or videos of the location, your bicycle, any damage to vehicles involved, and any visible injuries you have sustained. These visual records can support your insurance claim or legal case later on.

Preserve any physical evidence of the accident, such as damaged bicycle parts or torn clothing. These items can be crucial in establishing liability and proving the extent of the damages.

Gather Witness Statements

If there are witnesses to the accident, ask for their contact information and request statements about what they saw. Their testimony can provide valuable support for your version of events.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the bicycle accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Please provide them with accurate and detailed information about the incident. Be cautious when discussing the accident, and avoid accepting any fault or making definitive statements until you’ve sought legal advice.

Keep Detailed Records

Maintain a thorough record of all medical treatments, expenses, and related documents, such as medical bills, receipts, and correspondence with insurance companies. These records will be valuable in assessing damages and seeking compensation.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Get From a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit?

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your damages through a personal injury lawsuit. The specific types and compensation amounts you can receive depend on various factors, including the circumstances of the accident, the extent of your injuries, and applicable state laws. Working with a Beachwood bicycle accident attorney is essential to understanding your rights, assessing the value of your claim, and maximizing your potential compensation. Here are some common types of payment that may be available:

Medical Expenses

You can seek compensation for the medical costs associated with your bicycle accident injuries. This includes expenses for ambulance services, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, assistive devices, and ongoing medical treatments.

Lost Wages and Property Damage 

If your injuries have caused you to miss work or resulted in a decreased earning capacity, or if your bicycle was damaged in the accident, you can seek compensation.

Pain and Suffering

Compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress from the bicycle accident may also be available. These damages aim to compensate you for the physical and emotional hardships from the accident, including chronic pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Why Do I Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Ohio?

When a bicycle accident occurs in Ohio, it is crucial to understand the specific laws, regulations, and legal considerations that apply to these incidents in the state. Here are some reasons why you may need a bicycle accident attorney in Ohio:

• Knows the Ohio Law: We have extensive knowledge and experience regarding the local laws, regulations, and court systems that will help build a strong case on your behalf.
• Determine Liability for Bicycle Accidents: We will gather evidence and reports to reconstruct precisely what happened when the accident occurred and hold the liable parties accountable.
• Knowledge of Local Insurance Companies: We understand the tactics employed by the insurance companies and can counter their strategies to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
• Courtroom Experience: We understand the local court procedures, allowing us to efficiently navigate the legal system and effectively represent your interests.

Our personal injury law firm has been dedicated to representing injured individuals throughout Ohio and pursuing justice for injury victims with care and tenacity. Contact us now to schedule a risk-free consultation and learn how we can help you move forward.

Call Our Beachwood, OH, Bicycle Accident Attorney Now!

Bicyclists are one of the most vulnerable road users in Ohio. Bicycle accidents can have devastating consequences. Yet, despite their severe injuries, bicycle accident victims often fail to get the respect and consideration they deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, it is crucial to seek legal advice from our Beachwood, OH, bicycle accident attorneys at Karp Steiger Co., LPA, who can provide the necessary support and guidance. Our personal injury law firm is here to protect your rights and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. 

Together, we will defend your rights and hold the responsible parties accountable. We proudly advocate for personal injury victims in Beachwood and neighboring cities, including Cuyahoga, Erie, Lucas, Sandusky, Hancock, and Trumbull. Contact us now for a risk-free consultation. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery.