Did you know that bicycle trips only account for 1% of all trips in the United States? Despite that, over 130,000 cyclists get injured due to road crashes every year. Worse, these bicycle accidents claim the lives of almost 1,000 bicycle riders yearly.
So, if you’re one of the 51 million people in the U.S. who ride bikes, be careful out there. Just as crucial is to know what you must do if you ever get involved in a bicycle accident.
One such step to take is hiring a lawyer if a bicycle crash results in you suffering road rash injuries.
But why would you even need a lawyer for something seemingly as minor as a road rash? What can these legal professionals do to help you, anyway?
We’ll tell you what you need to know about such bicycle injuries and why you should hire a lawyer for help, so read on.
Obtain Fair Compensation for Your Injuries
When you hire a lawyer after a road rash-causing bike crash, they’ll help you get compensation. Part of this amount will cover your medical expenses due to your road rash. How much the injuries will cost you depends on their severity.
At the very least, road rash injuries, which are friction burns, can cause pain and swelling. Minor ones often heal within two weeks provided you clean and care for them properly.
However, severe cases take longer to heal and may require extensive medical intervention. This is because they may affect the deeper layers of the skin.
The worse the wounds are, the likelier they are to cause scarring and disfigurement. Severe injuries can also cause nerve damage. All this may result in you requiring expensive surgery.
Road rash injuries can also get infected, causing flu-like symptoms. These include body aches, chills, and fever.
In rare cases, the infection may be so severe it can cause blood poisoning. Although rare, this condition is life-threatening.
With all their potential consequences, you should never underestimate road rash injuries. Even if they seem minor, please have a doctor look at them properly.
Your lawyer will then gauge how much compensation you deserve for your injuries. They’ll add this to the other types of damage they will do their best to recover for you.
Determine Liability in the Bicycle Accident
To help you get compensation, your lawyer will look into what happened. This will involve gathering and reviewing evidence to determine liability or fault.
Suppose your accident occurred after a driver crashed into you and your bike. Your lawyer’s goal will then be to determine the driver’s fault. They will review photos, video footage, and witness testimonies.
Your attorney can prove negligence if they find proof that the other driver:
- Got distracted (e.g., using their phone) and drifted to your path
- Failed to yield the right-of-way to you, even if they had to
- Cut across your lane, which is specifically for bicycle travel
- Was operating their vehicle under the influence
- Was driving recklessly
Aside from the driver, other parties may be liable, too. An example is your bicycle’s manufacturer. They may also be at fault if a defect in their product contributed to your injuries.
In any case, your lawyer will strive to identify all parties liable for your accident. This allows them to raise your likelihood of receiving maximum compensation.
Evaluate Your Other Damages
Road rash often occurs after a fall and when one gets dragged across a surface.
Thus, people who sustain road rash may also have other injuries. For example, bicycle crash victims may develop and require care for concussions. They may also have sprains, strains, fractures, or internal organ injuries.
So, as a bike accident victim, you have every right to seek compensation for all the harm you’ve suffered. A lawyer can help since they can evaluate all your damages aside from road rash.
In addition to medical expenses, your lawyer may seek these other types of damage on your behalf.
Lost Income
Road rash and other bicycle accident injuries can prevent you from working. Even a few days of being absent from work can affect your finances.
For example, road rash injuries may cause severe pain that limits mobility. This can make you unable to perform the tasks you usually do at work.
A lawyer can help by fighting for your rights to get compensation for your lost wages. They can also help you seek damages for your lost future earning opportunities.
Pain and Suffering
Car accidents can have a significant emotional and mental toll on victims. So, imagine what a bicycle crash can do, as cyclists don’t have the “extra” protection people inside cars do.
Indeed, bicycle crash injuries, including road rash, can cause significant emotional distress. As a victim, you may have to limit your activities due to the trauma you experienced. You may also struggle with the consequences of scarring and disfigurement.
You deserve compensation for all those effects of someone else’s negligence. A lawyer can help by seeking compensation for your pain and suffering.
Give You Enough Time to Recover
Road rash can get infected without proper cleaning and disinfecting. The same can happen if they get exposed to pathogens and contaminants.
You’re at risk of such infections if you fail to let your injuries heal before going to work. Likewise, you may not recover properly due to stress and psychological trauma.
Remember: You don’t have to deal with all the consequences of a bicycle accident alone. With a lawyer, you can worry less about filing a claim or a lawsuit for compensation. That’s because your legal team will perform most of the legwork on your behalf while you rest and recover.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
A bicycle accident can cause more than road rash; it can also lead to many other injuries, such as head trauma. It can even affect your mental health, earning ability, and overall quality of life.
All that should be enough reason to seek compensation for the damages you may suffer from a bike crash. Even more so if these losses, pain, and suffering are due to someone else’s negligence.
Here at RHINO Lawyers, we can help you get the compensation you deserve. So, contact us now for your free legal consultation and advice!
CONTACT A TAMPA Bicycle ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a bicycle accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
