With motor vehicles and bicycles sharing the roadways in Alabama, safety and awareness is everyone’s responsibility. Collisions between bicyclists and automobiles can result in severe and sometimes fatal injuries. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that nationwide the number of bicyclist deaths related to automobile collisions increased 13 percent from 2014 to 2015, and is the highest it has been in nearly a decade.
Cyclists are the most vulnerable to sustaining serious and deadly injuries because of the lack of protection provided by a bicycle. Many of these types of crashes cause traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries for the individual riding the bicycle. Recovering compensation and damages for accidents involving bicycles and motorists focuses on similar issues that arise in other automobile crashes. Often, these crashes happen because of inattention or negligence and could be avoided.
If you or a loved one has been hit by a car while riding a bicycle in the Mobile or Daphne area, an Mobile car wreck attorney with Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys will determine the cause of the accident and who was at fault. Our law firm will make sure the negligent driver is held accountable and you are fully compensated for your injuries, financial losses and pain and suffering.
Preventing Crashes Between Bicycles and Cars
Both drivers of vehicle and cyclists are required to follow Alabama traffic laws. Unfortunately, speed, distractions, and other careless behaviors behind the wheel can end up causing tragic consequences. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of wrecks that happen with bicycles and automobiles, and they are also have the highest risk of resulting in a fatality for the cyclist. Side impact crashes are also seen frequently between motorists and cyclists. Typically, the driver of the car will drift out of their lane onto the side of the road and strike the cyclist. These circumstances can almost always be avoided if the driver and cyclist are focused, attentive, and watching the road and others around them with caution and care. When a reckless driver causes you harm while riding a bicycle, you deserve to be compensated fairly for your injuries and an attorney at Citrin law firm can help make sure that justice is served.
Dusk and evening are the times of day that are most dangerous for bicyclists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal bicycle and motor vehicle collisions are highest between the hours of 6-9 p.m. This is due in large part to poor lighting conditions, which result sin less visibility for those operating cars. In addition, drivers are more likely to be fatigued later in the day. This statistic underscores the importance of wearing bright colors or fluorescent clothing and having the proper reflective gear and lights on your bicycle when riding at night. Because the most serious injuries in these accidents are head trauma sustained by the cyclist, wearing a helmet while bike riding is imperative and can help reduce the severity of injuries. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that helmet use can reduce head, neck and face injuries by 33 percent.
Contact A Trusted Alabama Attorney to Represent Your Bicycle Accident Case
Ultimately, bicyclist and automobiles can safely coexist on Alabama roadways if each and every person takes a personal responsibility to look out for the safety of those around them and abide by the state’s traffic rules. If the careless driving of another person caused you to suffer injuries that have left you in pain and unable to work, or worse, taken the life of your loved one, call the team at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys now at 251-888-8888 to discuss your legal rights. Our initial consultation is free and you won’t owe us anything unless we take your injury case and recover a successful verdict or settlement for you. An Alabama car wreck attorney who is experienced in personal injury law and has obtained millions of dollars in compensation for injured victims across the Mobile, Foley, and Daphne region will provide the expertise needed to make sure you receive the full financial support you need to recover.
Andy is the owner and CEO of Citrin Law Firm, P.C. He founded the firm in 1995 with the goal of helping injured people put their lives back together. His passion for protecting injured people has only grown since he opened the doors of Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, and he has a history of winning numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients.